As an instructional designer, the power of storytelling and the hero’s journey narrative has always interested me. In my own experience, I find them to be powerful tools when designing compelling and motivational learning experiences. A few years ago, I tore my ACL in one of my knees playing basketball. I was devasted as basketball was something I enjoyed playing, and I would not be able to play again unless I had surgery and time to recover. Basketball also had many positive benefits on my health and fitness. In my search to find a replacement activity, I came across a running application that combined gamification with a compelling storyline that made running more enjoyable and decided to give it a try. The mobile fitness application was called “Zombies, Run!” and I still use it today. The application has all the functional abilities of other running applications; however, it uses audio storytelling to immerse runners into a post-apocalyptic adventure as the main character. Each mission begins with a clip that introduces the situation. You can listen to your music while you run, and more story clips will interrupt to explain what’s going on and provide you with updates on your objectives. The application never asks you to change directions and as you run you will automatically pick up supplies to construct your base. Zombie chases can be enabled in the settings. When enabled, you will be notified when zombies are near, and you will be required to pick up your pace to getaway. If the zombies catch you, you lose the supplies you have collected. I believe that “Zombies, Run!” provides a proven methodology and one that should be considered when designing for user motivation, not only in fitness but also for other mundane tasks or work.
References
Alderman, N. (2016). Zombies, run!: Keeping fit and living well in the current zombie emergency. Penguin Life.
Chou, Y.-K. (2020, December 1). Octalysis: Complete Gamification Framework – Yu-kai Chou. Yukaichou.Com. https://yukaichou.com/gamification-examples/octalysis-complete-gamification-framework/
Hon, A. (n.d.). community roundup – Zombies, Run! Zombiesrungame.Com. Retrieved October 16, 2021, from https://blog.zombiesrungame.com/tag/community-roundup/
Hon, A. (2015, October 6). Two million runners five – Adrian hon – medium. Medium. https://medium.com/@adrianhon/two-million-runners-five-cdb53cd793a1
Wallace, H. (2015). Zombies, run! Want to jog your way to greater fitness? There’s an app for that. Sarasota Magazine, 38(2)
Witkowski, E. (2013). Running from zombies. Paper presented at the 1-8. https://10.1145/2513002.2513573
Zombies, Run! Shop. (n.d.). Zombiesrungame.Com. Retrieved October 16, 2021, from https://shop.zombiesrungame.com/
Hi Graham. I’ve used this app! I’m usually not motivated to exercise and trying this app definitely helped. I could even see this being paired with Physical Education daily runs to make it more “lively” as students escape the incoming imaginary zombies. The gamification and technology integration of this app to work with outdoor activities is what makes it interesting to me. Thanks for sharing.