Turn Dieting Into an RPG

Games Without Frontiers: Fun Way to Lose Weight:

Interesting article that compares Weight Watcher's online point counter to an RPG. I also liked McGonigal's mention of game language and system.

"This puts me in mind of the talk that Jane McGonigal -- a brilliant and pioneering alternative-reality game designer -- gave at this year's South by Southwest conference. She argued that game designers ought to put their skills to use in the real world by reshaping dull, everyday activities into fun challenges. Why not a game that gives you points for walking your dog or jogging?

'Games are an incredible language and system. They should be everywhere,' she said. 'Why are we making games only for the bound pages for a computer screen or console? Why aren't we doing that to help people navigate and understand the world around us?'"