Gamification is a relatively new concept that’s been discovered by companies in the last few years. Gamification brings in gameplay into the real world by introducing points, rewards, and challenges-all things we’re used to from video games! A serious amount of detail goes into designing these environments to create a sense of competitiveness between players.
Lets have a look at the how & why!
1. What is Gamification ?
Gamification is the process of applying game mechanics and design techniques to non-gaming activities in order to make them more fun and engaging. These game mechanics and design techniques can be used in a variety of settings, including education, work, health care, government, and personal productivity.
Gamification is based on three primary ideas:
- intrinsic motivation
- extrinsic motivation
- social motivation.
Intrinsic motivation comes from within the individual, while extrinsic motivation comes from external factors. Social motivation comes from interacting with others.
The trick is to combine all three into one great player experience. This is obviously not an easy task, as it’s just as hard as engaging your players in game to not quit after a few levels. Game mechanics definitely come into play here, so it’s not as simple as you would expect it to be.
2. Why Use Gamification ?
According to a study by the gamification company Bunchball, companies that adopt gamification techniques see an average of:
• A 38% increase in engagement
• A 26% increase in productivity
• A 20% increase in loyalty
When used correctly, gamification can achieve these results by motivating individuals to complete tasks in a fun and engaging way.
A motivated employee will do much more work than someone who hates their job. And it doesn’t just stop at productivity, when you add motivation & loyalty to the equation the overall quality of work will go up also!
3. How to Use Gamification in Real Life
Now that we’ve answered the question, “What is gamification?” it’s time to learn how to use it in real life! Here are five tips:
Increase Engagement
One of the most common applications of gamification is to increase engagement. There are many ways to do this, but some common techniques include adding points, levels, and rewards systems. You can also make tasks more fun and engaging by adding competition or social elements.
Increase Productivity
Another common application of gamification is to increase productivity. This can be done by adding goals and deadlines, or by providing feedback on performance. You can also use gamification to promote healthy habits and behaviors.
Build Loyalty
Gamification can also be used to build loyalty. This can be done by rewarding customers for their loyalty, or by providing exclusive content or discounts to those who participate in the game. For example: addictive mechanics are not enough for online casinos to retain their players without the use of extra gamification through their rewards systems. You can browse casino games by name or popularity and get rewards for playing to keep you coming back.
Help with Learning
Gamification can also be used for learning. This can be done by adding challenges, levels, and rewards systems, or by making learning more fun.
4. Examples of Gamified Environments
Now that we’ve learned how to use gamification in real life, it’s time to take a look at some examples! Here are some popular gamified environments:
1. Video Games – We all know the typical leveling system that gets players hooked.
2. Fitness Apps – Your daily notifications and badges associated with completing your workout routine
3. Social Media – The whole thing is one big game of getting the most likes & shares.
4. Corporate Training Programs – No better way to learn than to make it into a game.
5. Educational Games – We’ve all played Duolingo at some point. It’s designed to be a fun way of learning a language.
Let’s sum it all up for you
As you can see, there are many examples of gamification at work in the real world. It is up to you, to use your imagination to boost your brand loyalty & get the most out of your employees through gamification.
Aslong as you can combine intrinsic, extrinsic, and social motivations into a rewarding game experience you will not only boost productivity but also increase engagement and loyalty at the same time.
So start gamifying your life today for a more productive tomorrow!