Summary

Gamified Design refers to the introduction of game-like elements and the principles of games into your web design. This can enhance areas like user engagement with a product or service. When implementing game-like features like leaderboards and awards into an existing design, you can tap into a games motivational effect and improve the overall experience.

The anatomy of a game: Defining the elements of a game

There is game for every person; card games, board games video games, single -player vs multi-player. Every good game has a few things in common and when we boil them down to the key elements we can start to describe the anatomy of a game.

• Goals

  Defining the end goal of the game is a key part of what makes games fun. In simpler games this might mean holding the most/least points. In more complex game scenarios, you might need to make it to a virtual place or make it to a certain level.

• Rules

  Every game will include a frame work of rules and constraints, these guide a player in their game play.

• Rewards and recognition

  In some games it might be as simple as being declared the winner or a runner up. When getting into a more complicated goals you will want to recognise a players’ progress towards the end goal. 

• Players

  Ending with an obvious one: games are not really fun without players. You can make this element more interesting by creating game characters that our players can embody. 

It’s all part of the journey: Introducing Levels and Goals

Taking inspiration game design, you can introduce levels and goals within your website. The easiest way to translate this into web design would be by focusing on your existing processes. 

Whether it’s the onboarding process for a new client, Signing up to a newsletter or a repeat customer purchase. These actions can be broken down and represent user goals in gamified design.

Incorporating progress bars and completion messages within the design allows you to mirror game play.  With this you are using the engaging part of a game to motivate a person to complete a process. 

Let’s keep score: Points and Awards

If your website keeps customers/visitor data within a database you can apply more complex game design to your website.

Consider awarding the user points for the processes your identified in the previous section and you are well on your way to creating a motivating reward system. 

Introducing an award or badge when a certain number of points have been reached or presenting a leaderboard.

Conclusion

Gamified design can be a motivation for your users to complete tasks in a fun and engaging way. Small design changes can make a significant difference in your user’s completion rates.