Gamification

Gamification is the process of applying game mechanics to non-game related things in an attempt. Wikipedia describes the techniques used to employ gamification as leveraging "people's natural desires for competition, achievement, status, self-expression, altruism, and closure". Some of the game like rewards used are points, marks for certain achievements, some sort of leveling system or giving the player virtual money. An example of this is Starbuck use as it relates to Foursquare, which is a smartphone application where people check in to location. Starbucks apparently offer a customized Foursquare badge and gave discounts to people that were/are "mayors" of that location. A mayor is the person that has checked in to that place the most. Have you noticed any other places using gamification to attract customers?