Discover what gamification is

If there is one thing that all gamification games have in common, it is motivation. When you play something, whether it's board games, soccer, or a video game, there is always something you want to achieve. To do this, you strive to earn rewards, level up, train your skills, and much more. So, why not apply the concept of gaming to other situations where games have nothing to do with it? If that sounds like a good idea to you, then you’ll be interested in the term we will discuss in this article: Gamification.

What is gamification?

Gamification, also known as ludification, is a strategy that uses game mechanics and dynamics in environments and contexts unrelated to games. For example, in education, in companies, and practically in any field you wish to apply it. The mechanics that can be applied are common in both traditional and modern games. Among them, we can find collecting items by overcoming challenges or tasks, earning points for completing them, leveling up in a ranking, or having different ranks or titles based on progression.

All these mechanics help people feel motivated, and therefore, become more directly involved in the activity they are engaged in. In fact, this is achieved because, by nature, we are programmed to seek rewards and be competitive.

As we mentioned, almost anything can be gamified. In this Twitter thread, user Dani Sánchez-Crespo explains a way to gamify interactions in amusement parks. On the other hand, in the sports field, there is an app that helps runners feel more motivated to run. We are talking about “Zombies, Run!”, where you have to go out and run for supplies while being chased by the undead! And as a final example, Duolingo has effectively made language learning feel like a game, and it has become one of the most representative products of gamification.

The advantages of gamification

Gamifying any activity has several advantages, and the first of these is that it makes the activity much more interesting. Any situation that is normally boring and done out of obligation (like going for a run or waiting in line) becomes something fun that is no longer as difficult. This is because by doing it, you will receive rewards, achieve goals, level up, etc. Additionally, team activities foster cooperation and camaraderie. It also encourages communication, which helps participants develop social skills and build trust among each other.

On the other hand, you can build user loyalty. With Duolingo, for example, you need to log in daily to reach goals and earn rewards. This way, you motivate users to continue using the app. Another advantage, among many, is that it also helps guide the experience.

For instance, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London of Harry Potter gives you a passport as soon as you enter. In it, there are a series of objects you must find and several pages you need to stamp in each area. Thus, the park “forces” you, without you realizing it, to complete the entire tour and pay attention to the exhibits. As we can see, gamification allows us to adapt processes even to achieve marketing milestones.

Gamification of events

And we keep repeating it, but it’s true, almost everything can be gamified. So, of course, events are no exception. In fact, it’s a perfect technique to prevent them from being repetitive and to ensure that attendees leave with a good memory. You can take the example of the Harry Potter Tour and make attendees collect stamps or rewards in each area of the event. Or, set up photocalls and encourage attendees to share their photos on social media with a specific hashtag. The best photo wins a prize, and your event gets promoted on social media.

In fact, the gamification process can even start before the event. Why not hide clues on the website and offer a free ticket to anyone who finds them all? This way, you will drive traffic to the website and, above all, generate buzz. Gamifying events is a perfect way to make a good impression on attendees, keep them entertained, and earn their trust so they want to come back.

Gamification according to Teaming Labs

At Teaming Labs, we specialize in achieving objectives through gaming experiences, meaning we create games (in any format) to address specific topics in an entertaining way. Specifically, we have specialized in portable games for corporate events as it is an ideal situation to enjoy a game with others. You can check out some of our projects here.

According to our vision, in recent years, the world of gaming and video games has grown significantly, and there have been technological as well as creative advancements that can be leveraged and exported to other environments. Our goal is to make that exportation by creating unique experiences that are fun, but above all, useful. Don’t miss our website to learn more about Teaming Labs and what we do. And if you want us to help you gamify your event, contact us!