There has been much discussion about the impact of Facebook Places on geo-location services, and what FourSquare should do to differentiate itself. I humbly present some suggestions on new areas to move into, and how they might benefit from the game mechanics FourSquare uses for location checkins.
![Badge with bowling ball](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKvnePQjndQg_54-ILLrZcAvmziAHwQdGN_NSQ6n2A4Xh76ZEBDL8nbADtJ7xg2ZGUGkTkLJWFNtZqsyCOn-FBMNEKJ4Ab4v6KeXh6e5tywEhBUrLJGG1skEuBZQs29thd-571eHiP5bd/s320/FourSpare.png) |
FourSpare: Badges for Bowling
Example mechanics:
- STRIKE! Ten points!
- Gutter ball. No points this time, but try again!
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![Badge with a pair of pants](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9V4yQBk-vzr6GcWRcX4KPqJwRwHMTvy9zeZgYDvt3D-TMQSvnPMjyl1hGrnoM1-_-rc6jlErkFmmjnePSyopJXYBN2vPjjfrIlYdw5-yQucpQBFHXJckDyf3hIpL2LZUeXj3QIE_Qicv/s320/FourWear.png) |
FourWear: Game Mechanics for Clothes Shopping
Example mechanics:
- Blue. Definitely blue. 10 points!
- No points for khakis. Perhaps you should try for the FourSpare badge instead.
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![Horse silhouette courtesy of WikiMedia, released under Creative Commons license Badge with a silhouette of a horse](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHapisKciEFEqoPNjKhu9D8ejBXYC-WuBFLNNLeXKzElT8HkXDhJ_EVF3ptYPScKpMa21rnftgX14BfE8av2VQyXKsmx6YpAb4RJCCmwy-mvR3MQPaXmGQTVHVLH0TPBdXPasiYoAPoXT/s320/FourMare.png) |
FourMare: Internet Betting is Illegal, Try This Instead
Example mechanics:
- Always check the teeth. 5 points.
- Sure you lost all your money, but more importantly you lost 200 points.
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![Badge with a stylized alligator](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKl-YJ2a5qhIAeHjVZw0qV2nYxF54o6Uf38QZbtx3IcnQQk8qEnE1Iw65HsvCXGWQzX6fYqTrX3mthLW3F60xg3iw9q04NtXW9fDUqim8YJ0YTVLrsIqLf4gE-p1QG3gWhBP65RAPOzGs/s320/FourDare.png) |
FourDare: Points for Insanely Dangerous Things
Example mechanics:
- Scary looking animals don't automatically score higher, it has to be truly dangerous.
- A broken arm earns 20 points. Break your clavicle for more points!
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![Badge with a fluffy white cloud](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3UmE2mXxjU8p_wjETzYTj0EQrnM2gkyShawqk8-Jaa0fN4dyE-jIRNjuH6hRubCs_uHCKjDS3yftB9-tJ-KyC1YtoWWOHR_16wFfcfq6mTzQdVMdRuXft_ACAEcR35R_qUmyCsOeBkWW/s320/FourAir.png) |
FourAir: The Gamification of Breathing
Example mechanics:
- (inhale) Thats 2 points!
- (exhale) Another 2 points!
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