50+ thinkers and planners within MSLGROUP share and discuss inspiring projects on corporate citizenship, crowdsourcing and storytelling on the MSLGROUP Insights Network. Every week, we pick up one project and do a deep dive into conversations around it -- on the MSLGROUP Insights Network itself but also on the broader social web -- to distill insights and foresights. We share these insights and foresights with you on our People’s Insights blog and compile the best insights from the network and the blog in the iPad-friendly People’s Lab Quarterly Magazine, as a showcase of our capabilities. This week, our topic is SuperBetter. For more, see: http://peopleslab.mslgroup.com

1. crowdsourcing | storytelling | citizenship
People’s Insights: Volume 1, Issue 35
SuperBetter

2. What is SuperBetter?
SuperBetter is a super-hero themed online game that helps people
improve their resilience, meet their health goals and recover from illness
or injury, and have fun along the way.
superbetter.com/#x_intro-button

3. Gamification of health
SuperBetter allows people to set their challenges, quests, allies, bad
guys and secret powers. People can use Power Ups to increase
strength, and set Future Boosts to keep them motivated.
iphone.appstorm.net/reviews/lifestyle/will-this-app-make-you-superbetter/

4. Backed up with science
Designed in consultation with scientists, doctors and researchers in
neurology, positive psychology and medicine, each element of the game
plays a role in helping players achieve their goals or ‘epic wins.’
superbetter.com

5. Universal appeal
While many use the game to meet their health goals – to lose weight,
overcome sleep issues, manage cancer – others used it to meet life
goals– overcome writer’s block, plan finances, prepare for parenthood.
forums.superbetter.com/showthread.php?219-Using-SB-to-prepare-for-parenthood

6. Power of perception
Prompted to choose a Secret Identity, players chose personas based on
their personal heroes and found themselves motivated to stay true to
their inspiration, and to set goals they previously considered impossible.
Super Better
player November
based her secret
identity on two
fictional heroes
“
“
The gaming aspect allowed me to step away from myself and do things not
because I wanted to, but because my hero self would not take no for an
answer. She had the willpower, so would I.
- Courtney Sloan, All-Star player of SuperBetter

7. Stigma against asking for help
According to medical journals, support of family and friends is essential
to recovery. By making allies a key part of the game, people were
encouraged to overcome their stigma and reach out for help.
I strongly believe that not having positive and encouraging social
experiences during my initial recovery lead to stagnation.
// SuperBetter player Michele Morrow
I really hate to reach out to get some help for my epic goal...
I normally NEVER have to reach out...
But this game really "bashes" me to accept the fact that I need help…
Not from myself, but from other people...
// SuperBetter player Future Hunter
1) hellogiggles.com/superbetter-jane-mcgonigal-and-the-gamification-of-recovery
2) forums.superbetter.com/showthread.php?53-Tips-for-Being-a-Good-Ally

8. Importance of allies
Allies helped keep players engaged and motivated by suggesting quests
and doling out achievements. However, the game has received some
criticism for not doing enough to keep allies engaged and active.
SuperBetter.com
“
“
One of Superbetter's greatest strengths is that… my allies can create quests
for me. The quests my allies have given me… have been much more
interesting and enlightening for me than anything I've come up with myself.
- Alex Goldman, Producer, On the Media

9. Achieving epic wins
SuperBetter has helped several people achieve epic wins in a range of
areas such as writing novels, learning languages, overcoming shyness
and recovering from strokes.
facebook.com/superbetter/posts/128235480634239

10. Trend: shift to mobile
Players have been campaigning for mobile apps not only to help them
play more frequently, but also more effectively – several players had set
goals to reduce computer use and to increase activity levels.
Note: SuperBetter launched an iPhone app in April 2012. An Android app is currently in the
making.
http://superbetter.uservoice.com/

11. Future of Super Better
With a core community of over 10,000 players using Facebook and
4,500 forum members, and with success stories now being shared,
SuperBetter has potential to gain more widespread adoption.
1) iphone.appstorm.net/reviews/lifestyle/will-this-app-make-you-superbetter/
2) psfk.com/2012/06/superbetter-mobile-wellness-game.html

12. More People’s Insights Weekly reports
Every week, we dive into one topic for discussion on the MSLGROUP
Insight’s Network and discuss insights and foresights, in three key
areas: crowdsourcing, storytelling and citizenship.
Crowdsourcing Storytelling: Citizenship
Mahindra Spark the Rise @MarsCuriosity #Kony2012
For more reports, visit: peopleslab.mslgroup.com/peoplesinsights/

13. Read People’s Lab insights and foresights
The People’s Lab team shares the insights and foresights from the
MSLGROUP Insights Network on the People’s Insights weekly blog and
the People’s Insights Quarterly magazine.
MSLGROUP Insights People’s Insights People’s Insights
Network weekly blog Quarterly magazine
50+ MSLGROUP planners We deep dive into Every quarter, we will compile
share and discuss inspiring conversations around one the best insights from the
projects on corporate project -- on the MSLGROUP network and the blog in the
citizenship, crowdsourcing and Insights Network itself but also iPad-friendly magazine, as a
storytelling. on the broader social web -- to showcase of our capabilities.
distill insights and foresights.
For more, visit http://peopleslab.mslgroup.com

14. Coming soon: People’s Insights Annual
Report
In early January 2013 we will publish the People’s Insights Annual
Report, in which we synthesize our insights from throughout 2012 and
provide foresights for business leaders and change-makers for 2013.

15. People’s Lab: Crowdsourcing Insights &
Innovation
People’s Lab is MSLGROUP’s proprietary crowdsourcing platform and
approach that helps organizations tap into people’s insight for
innovation, storytelling and change.
For more, visit http://peopleslab.mslgroup.com

16. For People’s Lab
solutions, contact
pascal.beucler@mslgroup.com