Ever wondered what happens when business communication meets gaming? The Lync Conference Game transformed Microsoft’s 2013 professional conference into an engaging virtual playground where attendees could network and learn while having fun.
This innovative game merged the serious world of unified communications with playful elements featuring achievements badges social interactions and friendly competition. Participants could earn points by attending sessions networking with others and completing various challenges throughout the conference. It’s a perfect example of how gamification can turn ordinary business events into memorable experiences.
Lync Conf Game
Lync Conf Game emerged as a pioneering digital engagement platform at Microsoft’s 2013 Lync Conference in San Diego. The game integrated real-world conference activities with digital achievements to create an immersive attendee experience.
Game Origins and Development
Microsoft’s Events Team collaborated with professional game designers to create Lync Conf Game in late 2012. The development process focused on transforming traditional conference networking into gamified interactions that aligned with Microsoft’s communication objectives. GameSalad, a specialized game development platform, powered the technical infrastructure of Lync Conf Game. The design team incorporated feedback from previous conference attendees to identify engagement opportunities including session attendance tracking social networking challenges photo sharing missions.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
Lync Conf Game operated through a points-based achievement system tied to specific conference activities. Players earned badges by:
- Attending keynote presentations (100 points per session)
- Networking with other attendees (50 points per connection)
- Sharing conference photos (25 points per approved image)
- Completing technical challenges (75 points per challenge)
- Participating in breakout sessions (60 points per session)
The game interface displayed real-time leaderboards on digital displays throughout the conference venue. Players accessed their profiles through mobile devices scanning QR codes positioned at strategic locations. Achievement tracking occurred automatically through RFID-enabled conference badges connected to the game’s central database.
Visual Design and Graphics
The Lync Conf Game featured a modern minimalist interface that aligned with Microsoft’s Metro design language. Its visual elements prioritized clarity while maintaining engagement through thoughtful color schemes professional animations.
Art Style and Aesthetics
The game’s interface incorporated flat design principles with bold typography sharp geometric shapes. A carefully curated color palette used Microsoft’s brand colors: deep blue (#00188F) teal (#00BCF2) orange (#FF8C00). Digital badges displayed distinctive iconography representing different achievements like “Network Maven” “Session Scholar” “Social Butterfly.” The game’s dashboard presented player statistics through clean infographics circular progress indicators allowing quick comprehension of accomplishments scores.
Performance and Technical Aspects
The development team optimized the game engine to handle 1,500+ simultaneous users across multiple conference venues. RFID tracking systems processed 250 badge scans per minute with 99.9% accuracy rates. The responsive interface adapted seamlessly between mobile devices desktop displays maintaining load times under 2 seconds. Real-time leaderboard updates occurred every 30 seconds synchronized across all conference displays digital platforms. A distributed database architecture ensured zero downtime throughout the 3-day conference supporting 45,000+ achievement unlocks.
| Technical Specification | Performance Metric |
|---|---|
| Concurrent Users | 1,500+ |
| Badge Scan Rate | 250/minute |
| Load Time | <2 seconds |
| Leaderboard Updates | Every 30 seconds |
| Achievement Unlocks | 45,000+ |
Multiplayer Features
The Lync Conf Game elevated social interaction through real-time multiplayer capabilities that connected conference attendees across multiple venues. Its networking features transformed professional networking into an engaging multiplayer experience.
Online Modes and Matchmaking
The game’s matchmaking system paired participants based on professional interests, conference tracks attended, and networking goals. Players connected through proximity-based discovery using RFID badges, enabling spontaneous multiplayer interactions within 30-foot radius zones. The system supported 4 distinct multiplayer modes:
- Speed Networking: 3-minute timed sessions for quick professional connections
- Team Challenges: Groups of 5-8 players collaborating on conference-related tasks
- Session Companions: Automatic pairing of attendees in shared conference tracks
- Achievement Races: Competitive challenges between pairs or small groups
Social Integration
The platform integrated seamlessly with Microsoft’s social ecosystem to enhance networking opportunities. Players linked their LinkedIn profiles to share professional backgrounds directly through in-game interactions. The social features included:
- Digital Business Cards: One-tap contact exchanges through RFID badges
- Activity Feeds: Real-time updates of connections made at sessions
- Professional Networks: Auto-generated groups based on industry sectors
- Social Walls: Live displays of player interactions across venue screens
- Photo Sharing: Integration with conference hashtags on social platforms
Each social interaction earned players points on the leaderboard, creating a feedback loop that encouraged meaningful professional connections.
Key Game Features
The Lync Conf Game incorporated essential features designed to maximize player engagement and interaction. Each component enhanced the conference experience through intuitive controls and meaningful progression systems.
Movement and Controls
Players navigated the game interface through simple tap gestures on their mobile devices. The RFID-enabled conference badges tracked physical movement throughout venues, automatically registering attendance at sessions when participants entered designated zones. Quick Response (QR) codes placed strategically around conference spaces unlocked special achievements with a single scan. Players accessed their profiles through a streamlined dashboard that displayed real-time statistics, achievements, and networking opportunities.
Character Progression
Attendees started with basic profiles linked to their conference registration data. Experience points accumulated through session attendance, networking interactions, and challenge completions unlocked new profile badges. Players advanced through five distinct tiers: Newcomer, Networker, Contributor, Expert, and Conference Champion. Each tier provided expanded networking capabilities, exclusive multiplayer challenges, and unique digital rewards. The progression system tracked 15 different achievement categories, including Session Scholar, Network Maven, and Challenge Master. Profile advancement displayed through animated level-up notifications and updated digital business cards.
Game Modes and Content
The Lync Conf Game offered diverse gameplay experiences through multiple modes that enhanced attendee engagement. Each mode integrated seamlessly with conference activities while providing unique rewards and progression paths.
Story Campaign
The story campaign positioned attendees as digital pioneers exploring the future of business communication. Players progressed through five chapters, each focusing on different aspects of Microsoft Lync technology. Campaign missions included solving communication puzzles, discovering hidden QR codes throughout venues, and unlocking narrative elements tied to keynote presentations. The campaign featured 25 unique achievements, with completion rates tracked on digital displays. Players who completed all chapters earned exclusive digital badges and gained access to VIP networking events.
| Challenge Level | Completion Rate | Average Time | Points Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 85% | 15 minutes | 100-250 |
| Advanced | 45% | 30 minutes | 300-500 |
| Expert | 15% | 60 minutes | 600-1000 |
How Gamification Can Revolutionize Professional Conferences
The Lync Conf Game stands as a groundbreaking example of how gamification can revolutionize professional conferences. By seamlessly blending technology social interaction and learning it created an engaging experience that transformed a traditional business event into an interactive adventure. The game’s success demonstrates the powerful impact of combining purposeful game design with professional networking objectives.
The platform’s innovative features comprehensive technical infrastructure and thoughtful implementation have set a new standard for conference engagement. As businesses continue to seek ways to enhance attendee experiences the Lync Conf Game serves as an inspiring model for future event gamification strategies.
