What is the secret to gamification success? The answer to this question lies in smart gamification design. Not only must a gamified platform impress audiences with a seamless execution of technology and function, but most importantly, a game must possess those key motivators that compel audiences to participate, share, and enjoy. Let DDA Games, a division of Dynamic Digital Advertising, guide your organization to gamification success, starting with the most important step of all: a strong gaming foundation.
Understanding the Fundamentals:
Essential Gamification Tactics
Regardless of target audience or form, gamified platforms should appeal to the human psyche. What is a game without reward? Who will be driven to continuously partake in a gamified application that is lacking an element of competition, either against oneself, the challenges of the game, or other players? In the conceptual stages, DDA Games helps our clients cover all the gamification bases:
Reward: Let’s face it; individuals are rarely motivated to take an action without a payoff. Just as society works for monetary and emotional gains, gamers play for reward. DDA Games helps clients achieve adequate mechanisms of reward, by affirming action with points, badges, and other symbols of accomplishment.
Status: Individuals take pride in their achievements and enjoy the recognition associated with the attainment of a particular challenge or goal. Gamification elements, such as leader boards or the ability to post an accomplishment on a social network, feed into this innate desire, encouraging continued gaming efforts.
Competition: Winning is perhaps the strongest motivator of them all. Whether a game pits a user against themselves, with ongoing statics relaying their level of performance, or other gamers, competition fuels the desire to overcome obstacles and prove ability and worth.
Self-Expression: When you played the game of Monopoly, was it imperative that you be the top hat? If you answered yes, you are not alone. Whether it takes the form of a gaming piece, avatar, or a user tag, mechanisms of self-expression enrich the gaming experience by projecting participants' personally constructed game identities into the game world.
Gamification Planning & Pre-Visualization
With solid gamification foundations in place, developers are left with the challenge of technology, functionality, and game structure. If poorly conceived, gamification outcomes can fall flat. Don’t get lost in the gamification details. DDA Games’ pre-visualization process ensures every gaming element is thoroughly mapped before the start of production to increase efficiencies, explore all potentials, and contain budgets. A good game starts with a solid plan. Contact us today and let DDA Games work with you to develop your plan for a gamified platform for your organization.
