Social Bites: State of Play and the Augmentation of Self

Uncovering new tactics to win audiences over.

One of the best ways to learn is through play (consider the instructive and empathy-building power of role play as one example). When used to better oneself, it’s easy to see how aspects of play extend beyond games and frivolity: they’re embedded in many of the ways we interact with one another, from making negotiations to measuring how your work stacks up against KPIs.

Building on this realization, the Social Innovation Lab have dedicated the latest issue of Social Bites to examining “The State of Play” and its role in modern marketing. This means more than the gamification strategies of awarding badges or leveling up from one loyalty tier to the next; the function of play is quickly evolving, influenced by spaces like the metaverse that offer fresh opportunities to push oneself beyond traditional limitations. Whether to fuel competition or cooperation, “State of Play and the Augmentation of Self” illustrates how digital communities and the channels they call home are integrating playful design to augment the self.