I wrote an article on how to create rules that really work over on my personal blog. The reason most rules don’t work, or that many people don’t follow rules is that rules in themselves aren’t designed to actually work. Rules are often superimposed on reality to little or no effect because their creators aren’t aware of how rules work.
My article delves deep into what those problems are, and how to avoid them. But for the game design and gamification interested this short list on how to create better rules might be more suitable:
- Communicate the outcome of your rule, not the limitations (the rule itself).
- Think up situations that might warp the rules, and take it to extremes.
- Think about how the rule will affect things when it’s purpose is no longer relevant.
- Remember that rules are used by at least to types of people: individuals, and groups.
- Never punish rule breaking. If you must punish, punish for outcomes.
- Try to be vague. Trust people to interpret rules intelligently.