An Introduction to
Game Thinking
Andrzej Marczewski
@daverage
gamified.uk

Game Thinking
Gamification Serious Games
Simulation
Teaching
Meaning
Purpose
Intrinsic / Deep Entertainment
Game Inspired /
Playful Design
User Interface
Aesthetic Art
Narrative Tone Adver-games
Games Toys
Extrinsic /
Trivial
Play
“Game Thinking is the use of games and game-like
approaches to solve problems and create
better experiences.”

Game Inspired /
Playful Design
Contains ideas and inspirations from games, but no
actual elements such as mechanics.
User Interface
Interfaces that mimic games, such as HUD’s. Playful
elements that don’t alter the functionality of a
product, but make it more fun.
Aesthetic
Artwork that makes a product look more like a game,
or feel like a game in some way.
Narrative Tone
The way content is written can affect the users
experience. Simple tasks can be made more epic if it
is given a good narrative.

Gamification
Intrinsic / Deep
Extrinsic /
Trivial
The use of game thinking to create more game-like
experiences
The user of intrinsic motivation blended with game
elements and ideas to create deeper experiences for
users.
The addition of game elements such as points and
leaderboards to a product.

Serious Games
Full games that have been created for reasons other
than pure entertainment.
Simulation
A virtual version of an activity from the real world
that allows safe practice and testing.
Teaching Teaches using real games and gameplay.
Meaning
Uses gameplay to promote a meaningful message to
the player.
Purpose Uses games to create direct real world outcomes.

Games Toys
Play •Play is free form and has no extrinsically imposed
goals. It is undertaken for fun or joy.
•Games add defined goals and rules to play, such as
challenges.
•Toys are objects that can be used in play or games.
Entertainment
Games designed with the intention of entertaining
people in some way, with no deliberate higher
purpose.
Art
Entertainment, but done in a way that evokes
different kinds of emotions to those of standard
games.
Adver-games
Real games but designed with the sole purpose of
advertising a product or service.

Find out more about Game Thinking and all things
gamification in my new book, Even Ninja Monkeys Like to
Play.
Andrzej Marczewski
@daverage
gamified.uk