Games have been around for eons. They bring together—or divide—friends, families, communities and even nations. Games challenge minds and bodies. Games bring out competitive spirit. Games can be played and watched. There are few things in human existence that are such powerful motivators. So it should come as no surprise that game theory can be used in the area of employee benefits. 

One company, ACI Specialty Benefits of San Diego, has incorporated game theory extensively throughout its recently launched employee benefits portal. This strategy is also known as "gamification," which simply means incorporating elements of games in non-game settings. The product—called MacroLife and marketed as "the game of benefits"— is essentially a portal, or "access point" as the company calls it, for a company's benefits offerings. It was designed to bring together ACI's suite of products, which include employee assistance, wellness and concierge programs, with the rest of an employer's benefits offerings through a website with a single sign-on. 

Employers can also use MacroLife and its game theory to drive employee engagement on benefits utilization and corporate initiatives such as 401(k) education, health reimbursement arrangement completion and open enrollment. But ACI says the product can also help retention, recruitment, administration, absenteeism, productivity and job satisfaction.