In this episode we’re joined by Zac Fitz-Walter to talk about lean methodologies in game design, rapid feedback loops for behaviour modification and player motivations. Zac is speaker, trainer, and games master sought out for his expertise in gamification and motivation design. He earned one of the world’s first PhDs in gamification design, and has since lectured and developed curriculum on gamification for universities. He speaks and educates governments and companies around the world on effective gamification and engagement design. In his downtime he likes to live dangerously (in the virtual worlds) - racing cars, battling monsters and shooting aliens   https://www.zacfitzwalter.com/

We’re joined by Francisco Baptista, Founder & CEO of TeamSportz. In this episode we talk through creating games using computer-vision and video analysis and how working in virtual teams can create repetitive (and accountable) active behaviours. Francisco is a software engineer, avid sportsman and keen problem solver. TeamSportz is an AI sports platform to help players and coaches reach their full potential. Players use the mobile app to join the team, train, exercise using our proprietary AI tracking technology while coaches use the Coach Corner to manage their teams, understand player performance and configure the drills and exercises to cater to individual player needs https://www.teamsportz.pro/

We’re joined by Pieter Van Gorp and Raoul Nuijten from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. In this episode we talk through financial incentives for physical activity, how gambling mechanics can create health behaviours for lower costs and some principles for researching health gamification interventions. Pieter is Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands with a research focus on digital health platforms. He also manages the health data science programme at Eindhoven’s Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, with a focus on creating societal breakthroughs through health games. Raoul is a PhD Candidate and researcher at Eindhoven with a focus on increasing the impact of research of health promotion and lifestyle intervention, particularly through application of persuasive technologies.    https://www.pietervangorp.com/ https://research.tue.nl/en/persons/raoul-cy-nuijten

We’re joined by Shivani, the Founder and CEO of Bright lobe, an organisation on a mission to promote health physical and psychological developmental outcomes in children, through games and toys. In this episode we talk about educational games for neuro development and cognitive testing, the importance of crafting entertaining experiences, speaking to human nature through integrate narratives and the ethics of addictive game mechanics. Shivani has a background in computer science, neuroscience and software development, with previous roles implementing web and mobile platforms including STEM public engagement and financial broadsheets.    https://brightlobe.com/

In the second Health Points episode, we are joined by author and ‘life gamer', Victoria Ichizli-Bartels. Victoria is the author of 21 books, with ten of them focusing on turning life activities into games. In this episode, we explore turning everyday tasks into fun habits using underpinning game mechanics and highlighting the need for kind gamification principles. Bio: Victoria is an author of 21 books (and counting) and an instructor, coach, and consultant in the area of Self-Gamification. https://www.victoriaichizlibartels.com/gameful-habits/   Links and materials mentioned in this episode: Ariel and Shya Kane: https://www.transformationmadeeasy.com/ Robert Maurer: https://www.scienceofexcellence.com/ Jane McGonigal: https://janemcgonigal.com/ Healthy Wage https://www.healthywage.com/ 

In the first Health Points episode we are joined by the Founder and CEO of SixtoStart which delivers the award-winning story-based running app Zombies, Run! Adrian Hon talks about how creating a narrative is a powerful tool that can encourage more active behaviours and the role of gamification in creating healthy behaviours.    https://zombiesrungame.com/ https://www.sixtostart.com/