Comments: 3 Comments (Go to Comments)
Categories: Commentary
Tags: Cory Doctorow, whuffie
Video games need gimmicks be they reflex time, aggro, or spirit walking. Good gimmicks go beyond New Super Mario Bros’ giant super-shroom Mario and change the nature of the gameplay (like the Sands of Time). And that’s why video games need Whuffie.
In Cory Doctorow’s Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, Whuffie is an ephermal, popularity-based currency based on the actions of individuals. Down and Out is a near-future novel set in Walt Disney World. Like Star Trek, everyone’s basic needs are met, but people with higher Whuffie can get reservations at better restaurants, nicer hotel rooms, and faster transportation.
Whuffie is added and subtracted by public opinion, so if you create a work of art, excel at your job, or perform an act of kindness it increases. Road-ragers, shoppers with more than 10 items in the express lane, and owners of yappy dogs would see theirs shrink.
Final note about Whuffie is that it is gained/lost in realtime and it’s completely public, like your Xbox rep.
Incorporating Whuffie would revolutionize most genres of games. Entire MMOs could be structured around a Wuffie-based economy. It would drastically change the nature of Sims-like games, RPGs, and even some FPSes.
Amanda:
That’s funny, in the new Sims expansion you have a Reputation score that goes up or down depending on your interactions with other people.
Terry:
But does it get you better concert tickets?
Bluraven:
I started reading “Down and Out…” awhile back, and enjoyed it (but put it on hold to read some Neal Stephenson), and I’ve got to agree with the idea of incorporating a whuffie-like system for games. It sure as hell would minimize all the griefing and could help clean up the Live community some.