Mapping game play into work

About 15-16 years ago I had a conversation with a colleague where I thought it would be possible to create a video game where the game play mapped into useful work. So, in other words, players would think they are just being entertained but in reality they were solving some difficult problem that someone could profit from.

Well, this has come to pass:

http://bit.ly/eWhGV

and

http://bit.ly/9F98q

Should of patented that idea!