This video is directed at open source creators, but lots of points in here are applicable to education.
Key points:
What drives behavior (from most to least engaging): status, access, power, stuff. (Note "stuff", which costs the provider money, is last on the list!)
The first minute of engagement is what determines what users think of your product. Make the first step impossible to mess up! Motivate users with a "Yay, you're awesome!" moment right away.
The annual Games for Change Festival is the leading global event that brings together funders, NGOs, corporations, government agencies and educators seeking to leverage entertainment and engagement for social good with leading game developers from the independent and commercial sector. Previous keynote speakers include Former Vice President Al Gore, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the U.S.
This wiki is devoted to hosting ideas, lessons, implementation strategies and more related to using the game, Minecraft in a school setting Whether you use it in a computer/gaming club, as part of your regular curricular instruction, or even at home with your own children, Minecraft's simple yet scalable "sandbox" virtual environment can be an excellent tool for engaging student learning.