Eighteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Gamification, the use of game elements in non-game scenarios, has been applied to many fields and scenarios as a strategy for user attraction and engagement. This paper explores the use of gamification as a strategy in urban environments and reinvigorating urban spaces and encouraging community interaction through digital interactive art. This paper illustrates the implications of gamification in real-world environments through two interactive art projects undertaken by the author, and uses these examples of practice as proof of concept. In both examples, the authors worked in a newly built or underutilized site and attempted to augment the existing space with digital interactive art to encourage people to occupy the space. The paper seeks to state that gamification is a strategy that can bring about a paradigm shift in the way artists and designers operate in cities, and ultimately have a huge impact on the daily lives of city dwellers.