Game Face(book): The Intersection of Games and Social Network Sites

Cliff Lampe, Michigan State University
Kurt DeMaagd, Michigan State University
Nicole Ellison, Michigan State University
Jon Monberg, Michigan State University

Abstract

Social Network Sites not only embed games as applications for their users, but also incorporate many game mechanisms in their overall design. Incentivizing users, creating a sense of other "players", and offering measurable rewards are only some ways in which SNS may behave like games. This panel will discuss the possibilities for a learning interaction between the principles of meaningful games and social network sites.