From Gameful to Anti-Gameful: Exploring Opposing Design Logics
Asif Shaikh, S M Musfequr Rahman and Johanna Virkki · GamiFIN 2026, ACM (work in progress)
Proposes anti-gameful design: systems built for discipline and compliance rather than fun, illustrated by an office robot that is playful for wellness but strict during a fire emergency.
Abstract
We introduce the concept of anti-gameful systems; designs that emphasize discipline, obligation, and non-negotiable workflows instead of playfulness or voluntary engagement. Unlike non-gameful or de-gamified systems, anti-gameful design is constructive: it deliberately resists motivational aesthetics to enforce compliance and predictability in contexts where correctness and safety are critical. Drawing on Foucault’s disciplinary power and Weber’s bureaucracy, we outline key contrasts between gameful and anti-gameful elements. To illustrate this emerging concept, we present a demonstration case: a dual-function office robot that alternates between gameful wellness support and anti-gameful fire emergency guidance. Finally, we propose a research agenda for defining measurable constructs, developing evaluation instruments, and identifying domains where anti-gameful systems may be preferable. This work invites discussion and collaboration to refine the preliminary concept and explore its implications.