This semester, my graduate course Arcade Theory (CCTP628) is looking at the ways in which gaming technologies (both figurative and literal) are being adopted outside of Huizinga’s “magic circle.” I call this phenomenon “game creep.”

Blog Kotaku has this recent note about how Vail is gaming the slopes with RFID tags:

“Starting this November five popular ski slopes in Colorado, Utah and California will start tracking powder time to award skiers achievements pins and the ability to level up.

EpicMix goes live on all but one of Vail Resports’ slopes this coming ski season. Keystone, which opens on Nov. 5, will be the first to see the new RF-enabled tech in action. The resorts using the service this year are Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly.

Starting this season all Vail Resort season passes and PEAKS lift tickets with an RF logo on the back will be equipped with EpicMix. Every time you use your pass or ticket your stats will automatically be captured and uploaded to the EpicMix website. There are also mobile phone apps in the works for the new tech.”

Via Kotaku