How Gaming Mechanics and AI Are Changing Product Engagement

In a world where tech and creativity are colliding more rapidly than ever, projects like LennyRPG are redefining the boundaries of engagement. Think of it this way: taking something as static as a podcast and turning it into a dynamic adventure game isn't just innovative, it's revolutionary.

The Game Plan

Ben Shih, a product designer at Miro, took Lenny's Podcast transcripts and transformed them into a video game called LennyRPG. The idea was straightforward yet genius: convert podcast episodes into a role-playing game where you battle podcast guests using product knowledge questions. It's like Pokémon, but with industry gurus instead of Pikachu.

The process began by releasing a treasure trove of data, 350 posts and 300 podcast transcripts. This wasn't just an open invitation to innovate. it was a call to arms for developers to push the boundaries of AI capabilities. Honestly, if you've ever trained a model, you know how challenging it can be to make sense of vast data sets. But here's the thing: Ben didn't just use this data. he made it playable.

The AI Workflow

The analogy I keep coming back to is the assembly line. Ben's approach was systematic: define the idea, create a product requirement document, then prototype. With tools like ChatGPT and Claude Code, this wasn't just about automating tasks, it was about harnessing AI to enhance creativity.

Notably, he ran into hurdles with the initial RPG-JS framework, which was ill-suited for quiz-based interactions. The pivot to Phaser, a flexible game development framework, underscores how critical adaptability is in tech development. Ben's strategy reminds us that the tech itself isn't groundbreaking, it's how you wield it.

More Than Just Games

Why does this matter? For one, it shows how AI isn't just for crunching numbers or speeding up processes. It's a canvas for creativity. We often talk about the future of work being a blend of human and machine. LennyRPG exemplifies that blend, making learning fun and engaging in ways traditional methods can't.

Here's why this matters for everyone, not just researchers. The data released by Lenny could inspire countless other projects, not just in gaming but in education, marketing, and more. It challenges us to rethink how content can be consumed and interacted with.

So, what's the takeaway? Projects like these aren't just novelties. They're the future. They challenge us to consider: Are we doing enough with the tools we've? Or are we merely scratching the surface of what's possible?