Gamification has always existing in large companies, though historically it's been more subtle. At 5 years you get a nice pen. At 10 years you get a larger car

Gamification has always existing in large companies, though historically it's been more subtle. At 5 years you get a nice pen. At 10 years you get a larger carpet in your office. At 20 years you get a silver picture frame. At 30 years you get a nice retirement party with free shrimp for your friends. Yes - really - I knew LOTS of people at old Ma Bell would hang on underpaid for several years just to get the free shrimp for their friends at the retirement party. All of these come at the expensive of opportunity, interesting work, and money.