Information reconstruction: unpicking the GamifIR call for papers

Abstract

Gamification is a new and burgeoning field, with which Information Retrieval appears to have a particular affinity. In this talk, I consider what it is that Gamification offers Information Retrieval and at what potential cost. I do this by examining the Call for Papers for the workshop, attempting to tease out what Gamification is laying on the table that other approaches - especially games themselves - do not. Gamification is being consciously distanced from Serious Games, with only the "best bits" being used, but there appears to be no consensus as to why and (because it's so young a field and Information Retrieval is getting into it early) only a superficial understanding of what Gamification is. I believe that it's entirely possible that the uses of Gamification in Information Retrieval extend well beyond those envisaged. I conclude by arguing that although Game Design is an art form, Gamification is an application of Psychology. As successful Information Retrieval relies on an understanding of human motivation, it is therefore no surprise that the two are well suited to one another.