You know the “Game Mechanics” discussion is getting out of hand when a company like Subaru takes a page from the world of the internet allowing customers to put badges and status messages on the back of their cars. If you have a Subaru VIN number you can order these badges for free and share with the world how many Legacy’s or Outback’s you’ve owned in the past. Secondary modular badges also let you share statuses or interests which range from being a bicycle enthusiast to a supporter of the LGBT community.
It is an interesting development and will be exciting to see if a dollar in plastic parts can meaningfully impact future purchasing decisions by placing a customer firmly in a “tribe” of fellow owners. The reflexive answer would be no, but given the astounding financial success of a company like Zynga selling pixels for dollars, it is not that far fetched.
