Play is often essential to engaging audiences. Whether the interactive design falls under the traditional domain of a game or merely allows its users to explore through play motivation, engagement is often predicated on play. While it may not be the most direct route to gaining information it can be very rewarding. The following are a few interesting websites that use play as essential elements in their information delivery.
Fashion at Play
Is a promotional site for a women’s fashion store in Canada. The site employs a playful set of modular fashion cubes that can be rotated to explore the fashions available. Visitors can also integrate their fashions in Facebook.
http://www.neverinneutral.com/fashionatplay/website
Porsche 911
In this site, visitors are rewarded with a simulated experience of driving a Porsche. Visitors can watch their Porch 911 careen around a road they designed, simulate the acceleration and other driving experience. In essence, visitors play with a Porsche.
http://www.porsche.com/all/usa/911/
The Truth about Smart Cars:
The site is organized as chain of interactive movies that are wonderfully fluid. Each information episode is structured around an interactive event that delivers related information about the merits of the Smart car. Visitors can play by packing a smart car or throwing a wrecking ball at it. The wrecking ball experience was also used as an interactive advertisement for various websites.
http://www.truthaboutsmart.co.uk/
Volvo C30:
Design your own eco car, allows visitors to customize their vehicle appearance with customized appliqué and upholstery. The little application immediately calculates the car’s price as shown.
http://demo.fb.se/e/volvo/c30/designyourownecocar/#
Mini USA:
Mini’s website contains several games that promote the intended character of Mini cars. These include ski jump a mini, rail race a mini, and vaulting into a Mini.