A Missed Opportunity for the Gaming Industry: Kids

by Masuma Henry, posted September 17th, 2009
categorized under artefact, inspiration, kids, research, survey | Comments

The gaming industry is missing the boat. Kids are super engaged with video games, but their excitement and expertise hasn’t been leveraged to help acquire new audiences or influence parents to buy more games.

Let’s consider these data from a recent survey we fielded with about 50 kids ages 7-13:

• Kids learn technology faster than anyone in their house. Both parents and kids agree: 64% of kids said they learn faster while 59% of parents said kids do too.
• Although both kids and parents admit that parents know more about technology overall, they also agree that parents and kids know unique things about technology. Kids know more about entertainment type technology like playing games, working game consoles (Wii, Xbox 360), using iTunes, iPods, and iPhones, and social networking using Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and cell phone texting.  Parents know more about things for work like email and word processing, financial things like buying stuff online and banking, and how to fix the computer when it is broken.

Observing kids teach their parents new technologies also shows that kids can be good teachers too. This video shows Ronan, a 7 year old, employing known educational psychology teaching methods to teach his mom how to play the Wii.

So, given all this, why hasn’t the gaming industry leveraged kids’ knowledge about gaming, ability to learn fast, and teach gaming to capture new audiences or influence parents to buy new games? To capture parent audiences, game makers could:

• Create teaching modes within games that would help kids teach their parents how to play in a fun environment

To influence new games purchases game makers could:

• Allow kids to get trial versions of games so they can learn them quickly and then use what they’ve learned to ‘demo’ the benefits to friends and family.
• Kids could review games online, make recommendations to friends and even recommend ones their parents would enjoy.

Think: “Most Valued Player” programs for kid gamers. Think:  converting users into spokespeople and trainers. Think: ka-ching.

Gaming industry: get on the boat.

Happy Holidays From Artefact

by Christopher Konrad, posted December 23rd, 2008
categorized under artefact, featured, survey | Comments

I don’t know about you but I find myself doing the same thing I did last year during the holidays.  This behavior is commonly referred to as tradition.  I put up a Christmas tree.  I avoid my mother.  I burn Hanukah candles because they smell nice.  I shop for gifts.  I tie one on at the company party.  I proudly display holiday greeting cards people sent me.  I think next year I will send them a card.  Your holiday tradition may not be as conservative as mine but you too likely have a tradition of some kind.

Being a keen observer, I’ve noticed that companies also engage in traditions around the holidays.  Some of it’s nice.  Some of it’s naughty.  Let’s be real.  White elephant.  How about it?  Did you do it?  Artefact did.  Have you received a calendar for next year?  Maybe coupons to save on services?   How about a tin of cookies or popcorn?  Did you get the newsletter wishing you well during the holidays?  Is it naughty or nice?

I’m tired of the same old, same old.  I want to mix it up.  I’d like to start another equally lame tradition.  This year I will start two new traditions at Artefact.  One naughty and one nice.

The first tradition is that there will be no drinking in the office prior to noon Eastern Standard Time between December 22 & 23.  I’m only kidding.  Let’s just make it December 22^nd.  I believe the next couple years the 22^nd falls on the weekend.  That’s the nice tradition.

The second tradition, the naughty one, involves Santa and you.  Submit suggestions for what you think Santa should experience.  We’ll take the best suggestion, do it, photograph it, and post it.

I suggest he experience micro-blogging.  Why?  I hate it.  Other’s love it.

On behalf of all the naughty and nice people at Artefact, Happy Holidays!