Endless poets have uttered something along the lines of “love is like a game.” So, instead of playing the game by hanging around bars and arguing about who did the dishes last night, PearHaven decided to gamify the entire process of dating.
PearHaven is a social media infused website that incorporates a point system and dating tips. What’s in it for you? Every time you log in and submit a date or date idea, you earn points. Adding photos and exact locations to the map powered by foursquare will increase your earnings. Every month, PearHaven gives away a date related item. For example, the October giveaway was a $50 gift certificate from the Asian inspired bistro, PF Changs. That’s a lot of egg rolls!
Users can also follow each other in order to gain date ideas in their specific town and other locations. While there are many sites and advice columns dedicated to sharing date ideas, this concept saturates both well known and unique ideas into one space while encouraging you to use it every day! That is the beauty of gamification.
The most inspiring part of the date ideas is the fact that they are not always glorified picnics in the park. For example, a couple named Lauren and Connor posted the following date:
The Park, a Walk, Lunch, Dinner:
We went to Zilker Park (again, ;D) and stood on top of the rock garden area just watching people with their dogs and kites. Then we walked the 3 mile loop of the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, followed by lunch at Panera and later a dinner at IHOP
The quote is inspiring because I can just tell they are a new, excited and energetic couple. Not only does this provide date ideas, but it depicts true emotions to coming from the service. Two is better than one.
