Intro to Game Theory: Influence with Fun | Online

About this class

Most of us are wired to enjoy playing games! We’ve either grown up playing traditional board games with our families; going to “game nights” with friends to play ‘Euro-style’ games (Eurogames for short); or enjoying countless hours of playing computer games online and on our game consoles. Increasingly, games are being used in product marketing campaigns, public awareness or safety campaigns, and even in the emerging field of “gamification,” or using games and game theory for education.

We will discuss what makes this work, statistics about why we will see more-and-more of it in our society, and techniques for how to use game theory and gamification for ourselves in our work or personal lives.

You will come out of the class with a better understanding of the differences between a “game design” and a “game engine,” and we will use come classroom-provided examples to step through how a good game engine (and game design) can be used to improve customer buy-in within a commercial environment, how to get a better response-rate to an email blast, work more-powerfully with your social media by employing game theory, or even “gamify” a crowdfunding campaign!

We will also discuss how games can be used as a powerful alternative to traditional forms of education such-as classroom lectures, homework, traditional testing, or even ‘case-study method’ in an academic environment.

This class will be good for anyone who wants to get a better grip on why games work, and you’ll be armed with enough knowledge to begin to successfully use games within everyday contexts at work and at home.

Takeaways

• You will leave with a better understanding of how ubiquitous games already are in our everyday lives
• In your work, you will learn how game theory can be applied to create more-successful social media or email campaigns
• You’ll know how to spot good game designs and game engines, and even begin to create some of your own
• You’ll learn how to beat your friends or family at Clue and Monopoly (real tips from a real game expert)

Prereqs & Preparation

• Bring pen and paper, computer, or tablet for notes
• Bonus if you bring a game idea or “use case” that you want us to discuss or explore
• Come with an open mind about the power of games!