Gamification is one such buzzword used often nowadays. However, what does this term actually imply? Gamification is basically a practice where principles of gaming are utilized outside of games. In other words, gamification refers to using the ideas and game mechanisms in real life, whether in terms of studying a foreign language or doing regular exercises.

In this regard, gamification has become highly popular. Gamification has managed to completely revolutionize our approach to interacting with various digital applications. With the use of human intrinsic needs such as achieving, competing, and receiving rewards, gamification is an effective motivational tool to encourage users to stay engaged with different apps. Here are seven changes introduced by gamification in modern apps.

1.  Progress Bars and Experience Points

The most popular gamification method is the inclusion of the progress bar and experience points (XP). If you play a video game, you do quests to receive XP, which will fill the progress bar, and once full, it means that you “level up.” Nowadays, there are many applications that use the same approach to demonstrate the user’s advancement towards the goal set.

For example, a language learning application provides you with XP for completing each lesson, and it allows you to see your progress through a special progress bar. Another example is a fitness application where you count your steps, and the progress bar is getting filled while approaching the target for the day. This way of visualization proves to be extremely motivating for users.

2.  Badges and Achievements

No one ever gets bored of being congratulated on their achievements and games, for instance, use achievements to appreciate players’ progress, whether it involves vanquishing an enemy boss or exploring each and every part of the game world. This trend has been picked up by many other applications too.

For example, a budgeting application might award you the title of “Savings Superstar” once you manage to save money according to the plan set out for you. Similarly, you could be awarded for posting on a social networking platform on a daily basis for one whole week. Achievement badges can be trivial things, but they actually provide you with a sense of achievement.

3.  Leaderboards and Competition

Competition is a strong driving force. The need to outdo others in something is one of the things that make games enjoyable. There are many applications that have come up with leaderboards in order to harness the power of competition.

A fitness app can use weekly leaderboards to show who has run the longest distance in miles within your network of friends. It helps spur some level of healthy competition that could prove to be a major motivation factor. Similarly, it is used in the gaming industry where there are various platforms hosting online tournaments to play money slots and climb a leaderboard.

4.  Daily Streaks and Rewards

It is not easy to sustain a routine. Gamification helps achieve this through rewards for consistency. Many applications use the “streak” concept, which tracks the number of days in a row that you use an application or complete a specific activity.

If you have been using a meditation application for 30 days in a row, you will be rewarded for your streak and you are motivated to log into the application every single day to ensure you maintain your streak. In many cases, the streak is often tied to rewards for logging into the application every day.

5.  Unlocking New Content

Most games give you new levels to play or abilities to unlock when you advance further. Unlocking elements can be an excellent way of retaining user interest in most games. The same concept can be applied in productivity and educational apps.

An application designed for coding may reward you by unlocking new lessons once you complete all the beginner courses. It makes the experience enjoyable because it feels as if you are opening new areas in your learning journey.

6.  Quests and Challenges

Games usually provide the player with a set of quests or challenges to accomplish and quests can be on a daily, weekly, or extended basis. It serves as a means to create a definite path and something for the player to strive for. The use of this technique is becoming increasingly common across applications as a way to influence user behavior.

For example, a finance application may present the user with the task of reducing the amount spent at the takeout counter by a certain percentage per week. Meanwhile, an application focused on promoting reading may require users to read three novels within a month.

7.  Storytelling and Narrative

Great games aren’t just about mechanics. In order for a game to engage people, it needs to have a good storyline, which makes them believe that they live in another universe. It is a more sophisticated way of gamification, but it is increasingly used now.

A fitness application could build a story, telling its users that their training session was like a hero’s adventure, during which they became strong enough to beat the virtual monster. Thus, even such an ordinary activity as sports training would become interesting and engaging because of a well-crafted storyline.

Final Thoughts

Gamification goes beyond being just a trendy term. It is an extremely potent design framework which revolutionizes our interaction with digital applications. As gamification utilizes elements of games, we have applications and tools that motivate, engage, and make our lives fun and interesting. From using progress bars to employing storytelling in our designs, these approaches make our lives more entertaining by learning new things and creating positive behaviors.