Skip to main content

“Let the Games Begin”: Exploring whether Applied Improv is Gamification?

Wikipedia explains that Gamification is the application of game-design elements and game principles in non-game contexts. Gamification commonly employs game design elements which are used in non-game contexts to improve user engagement, organizational productivity, flow,  learning, crowdsourcing, employee recruitment and evaluation, ease of use, usefulness of systems, physical exercise, traffic violations, voter apathy, and more.

If I go with the above definition, then yes!, improv is gamification. 

So what is improv?
Improv is a short form of the noun improvisation
o   the action of improvising.
"she specializes in improvisation on the piano"
synonyms:
extemporization, ad-libbing, spontaneity, lack of premeditation; 
"some of the best things in the film came out of improvisation"
o    something that is improvised, in particular a piece of music, drama, etc. created spontaneously or without preparation.
plural noun: improvisations
"free-form jazz improvisations"

And then, what is Applied Improvisation?
Scripted unto the website (http://appliedimprovisation.network/) of Applied Improvisation Network (AIN), it says, Applied Improvisation uses the principles, tools, practices, skills and mind-sets developed in comedy, jazz and theatre and utilises them for non-theatrical or performance purposes.

Now my understanding is that improvised comedy, jazz and theatre is all about fun and enjoying in the moment. Games are too about fun and enjoying in the moment too.

For me, just as we say application of improv is Applied Improvisation, I see Applied Games as Gamification.

Both have loads of movement (physical and/or mental), unpredictability, agilty  and , off course high energy. The only thing that Applied Improv doesn’t have is competition to make people move ahead in the game.

I have been a Facilitator for both: since 4 years I am facilitating simulations for a Gamification Co. and since 6 years, I have dabbled in Applied Improv (on the other hand, I have been using theatre-based activities in my trainings since 20 odd years).

I find that Gamification needs a powerful debrief to connect it back to the organisation, behaviours and how the learnings can be translated back to the workplace. It is reflective and yet, I have seen participants struggle to see context, and many a times putting the ways they gamed (as a blame) to that they played differently today unlike what they are in real life or that today they wanted to have fun by taking a deviant position in the game or some other reason/s to defend why they couldn’t make a cut or win. Break-time is all about such peer conversations.

On the other hand, the Tools of Improv are pure application and not hypothetical. The basic grounding of Applied Improv  can be put in an interesting P.L.A.Y. model (van Driel, 2013) that builds Presence, Leap, Adaptiveness, Yes, And, Impact. The debrief is part the Improv itself, one senses, thinks, feels and starts reflecting whilst enjoying the play. I find it powerful and interesting the way it starts moving into behaviours within the time-space of the facilitation and by the first tea break you see participants actually using the tools in the peer conversations.

So then, in conclusion, is Applied Improv Gamification?

My humble opinion is “Yes, …And it is much more than Gamification…. Improv is Life!”

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dealing with late-comers in workshops

One of the challenges every Facilitator / Trainer has to deal with is the learners coming in late. My advise: If more than half of the expected learner group are in the room, I kick-off my program.  When the late-comers arrive, I acknowledge them with 'eye contact' - at times integrate them with a quick recap of what I have covered. If less than half are in the room, then I ask the sponsor (HR / Business) what should be done? - most of them advice a wait of at least 15 mins. We then announce this to those present - so that they can have coffee or maybe catch up on a call or two.  In the meantime the sponsor starts calling/texting the no-shows to find out what is happening. After the extended time lapses, we just start. I won't be harsh with penalty because in most of the India cities, traffic can be unpredictable. In certain regions of India (where late-coming is seen as okay), I would start with a fun/intro/ice-breaker activity which takes about 15 to 20 m

13 Ways to Engage Gen Z - published by Human Capital December 2017 issue

We have for ever lived in hierarchy. We had Rajwadas, and Raja’s and Rani’s! And then the Maha Mantri, the Mantri’s and the Peshwa’s. We lived in Hierarchy. Then came the Queen from land-afar and this took the whole hierarchical bit 100 notches higher. And then in spite of democracy for the about last 70 years, we still are deep-rooted in hierarchy.  Organisations are legal entities and yet we have similar hierarchical structures that define many aspects in an organisation from decision-making, office-cabins, cafeterias (esp. in manufacturing) and where one is allowed to Park etc. In some places even the Washrooms are hierarchical rules of entry. Funnily, many curse these discriminations however the same people aspire promotions not for the challenge of the enhanced deliverables or for the sense of leading people, but mostly for the ‘power’ that they would enjoy in those positions. However, as Bob Dylan professed in the 60’s in his song The Times They Are A-Changin'

The Khaa-mat!!! of Networking

The Art of Building POWER 1st Connects in Focused Networking “Hi, I am Ajit Kamath, (in Hindi) log mujhe kehte hai Khaa... (pause) mat, lekin mera nam hai Ajit Kamath”, Translating in English - “Hi, I am Ajit Kamath, people tell me DON’T EAT! (that’s the literal Hindi translation of Khaa Mat), however my name is Ajit Kamath”. For a bit-plump-on-the-sides me, this gives a smile on the face of the person I am meeting for the first time and then our conversation moves forward.  I have been asked, why do I say this? And my answer is “Why Not?” I have had students, managers and leaders remember me and the work I do, by this humourous line of an introduction! And if there is high-recall (meaning the next time I bump into the person, they can at least recall my name) then this is a million-$ intro for me. The Art of Focused Networking requires one to connect first, and then build the relationship into a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. And the challenge for most of u