Mobile Gamification involves applying game dynamics to mobile apps. It is a gradual introduction of game-like components into mobile applications. Mobile gamification is a perfect way to encourage users to return to the application.
Gamifying can result in increasing traffic and user engagement.
More and more successful businesses have incorporated gamification strategies in their employee training and work experiences to improve productivity and work efforts.
Did you know? Research says that 90% of employees feel that gamification makes them more productive at work.
67% of the students have agreed that gamified learning is more engaging and motivating than their regular classes.
It can be used in different contexts. Businesses often use it for employee training, recruitment, and organizational productivity. The primary role of gamification is to inspire users to engage with the content.
Some examples of Gamification :
- GOAL: Complete the task and get rewards.
- STATUS: Users increase their level or rank by completing the tasks.
- LEADERBOARD: Leaderboards show who is top and inspire users to work hard.
- COMMUNITY: Users are put in groups to solve problems or complete tasks.
- EDUCATION: Tips and quizzes are given to the users to solve.
- REWARDS: Users are motivated with points and badges; these are a few common and valuable rewards. Other rewards can be discounts, coupons, or gift vouchers.
It also boosts user motivation and promotes high levels of engagement.
Overview of Gamification and Interactive Content
1. Gamified apps and experience
To engage users, enhance motivation, and boost the user experience often, they make use of gamification strategies. Language learning apps, health and fitness apps, financial apps, social networking apps, etc.
2. Interactive ads. and content
Marketing materials and digital experiences actively engage users and enhance their participation instead of simply conveying information.
This creates a more engaging user experience which ultimately increases user involvement, enhancing brand interaction. Interactive video ads, and interactive social media posts (polls, stickers, quizzes) are examples of interactive ads and content.
3. Loyalty programs and rewards
Loyalty programs and rewards in gamification are used to motivate users. These programs encourage user engagement. Points, virtual currency, achievements, badges, and leaderboards are commonly used as rewards.
Overall, loyalty programs and rewards in mobile gamification aim to create a sense of loyalty, satisfaction, and enjoyment among users, which leads to continued usage and potentially increased monetization for app developers.
4. Social gaming and competition
Social gaming and competition are elements that go hand in hand, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
By incorporating social gaming and competition in gamification strategies, businesses and organizations can leverage the principles of game design to drive user engagement and achieve specific goals.
5. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
Both AR and VR significantly enhance the gamification experience by adding a new level of immersion, interactivity, and engagement.
They provide users with unique and captivating experiences that go beyond traditional gaming approaches. By using AR and VR in gamification, businesses, educational institutions, and other institutions create innovative and compelling experiences.
Immersive technologies are being increasingly adopted across multiple industries to facilitate onboarding and training processes.
In the retail space, Walmart, a global retailer, embraced augmented reality (AR) to transform the shopping experience by partnering with Marvel in 2012 to develop Super Hero AR. This app was designed to increase in-store traffic and generate more sales. The game invited Avenger fans to the store and unlocked superhero powers using AR technology.
6. Gamified learning and training
It is the application of gamification principles and mechanics in an educational or training context. It is no surprise to know that 80% of learners find gamified practices more effective. There’s a banging increase of 97% of kids playing interactive computer games. Incorporating game elements in learning and training experiences have shown positive effects in various domains, including education, corporate training, and professional development.
7. Customer engagement using QR code
Using QR codes is an effective strategy used by businesses to increase customer engagement. 84% of mobile users have scanned a QR code at least once.
Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the adoption of QR codes, with both developed and developing nations now widely incorporating them into various applications.
QR codes can be placed on product packaging or in stores allowing customers to scan the code and access detailed information about the product, including specifications, reviews, and ratings.
This provides customers with instant access to relevant information, enabling them to make more informed purchasing decisions.
QR codes can streamline the payment and ordering process. Businesses can generate QR codes that contain payment details or ordering information, allowing customers to scan the code and make quick and seamless payments or place orders through their mobile devices.
Benefits of Gamification
Increase user engagement
Gamification enhances user engagement by making activities more enjoyable and interactive by using badges, leaderboards, etc. These interactive elements motivate users and encourage active participation.
One good example would be Citibank, which recognized a crucial link between its physical fitness and its employee well-being. They gamified their fitness program and used rewards to make their employees more active.
Motivation and goal setting
Motivation and goal setting play a crucial role in the success of gamification. To make work more like a game, businesses make use of rewards, points, or leaderboards. The goal behind this strategy is to make employees more engaged with their work and to make them more likely to stick with the company in the long run.
Learning and skill development
Gamification is a powerful tool for promoting learning and skill development. Through active participation, users are engaged in interactive activities.
Immediate feedback allows learners to solve their queries and understand the concept in a better way. Progress trackers allow the learners to check their progress which motivates them to improve their performance. Over 54% of new hires report being highly productive after undergoing the gamified training program.
Here’s a good example of the world’s most popular pizza chain — Domino’s Pizza. In 2015, the company gamified its recruitment and upskilling process by launching an app — Pizza Hero.
The app was packed with gamified elements such as leaderboards and rewards, which turned out to be a megahit. With the release of the app, the sales shot up to a starling 30%.
Social interaction and competition
Friendly competition within gamified systems can motivate users to improve their performance.
Leaderboards or point-based systems allow users to improve their task efforts and strive for high-level achievement.
Personalization and customization
In gamified systems, personalization involves adapting the challenges, resources, and information to suit every learner’s talents, interests, and learning preferences.
The system can provide customized recommendations, adaptive learning tracks, or focused interventions by gathering and examining data on participants’ performance and preferences.
On the other hand, customization gives users the power to pick their own path and take control of their gamified experiences.
User retention and loyalty
Businesses offer rewards or incentives for long-term user engagement. Consistently delivering engaging content can strengthen user loyalty. According to a study, a whopping 95% of employees enjoy using gaming-inspired elements in their work.
Apart from boosting employee happiness and productivity, the implementation of gamification in the workplace can contribute to improved employee retention rates. A survey revealed that 69% of employees expressed their willingness to remain with a company for over three years if gamification was integrated into their work environment.
Monetization and revenue generation
Monetization and Revenue generation are important aspects when implementing gamified strategies. Gamification may not directly generate revenue but can create revenue streams. For example, offering a free version of your app with limited features and charging a certain fee for an upgraded version of the same. In-app purchases can be integrated to earn revenue.
Gamification elements for mobile apps
Rewards
Rewards are a great way to retain users. When we do something, we like to get something in return. This also applies to mobile app users. Give rewards to your users, and they will return to use the app.
Quizzes
Quizzes are a common element in gamification. Incorporating quizzes into gamification strategies can make the learning process more interactive, enjoyable, and challenging.
Virtual goods
They are often a part of loyalty programs. Earn points on a certain mobile app which can be used later for making real purchases.
Progress display
It’s an important aspect for people when they struggle to achieve their goals. Whether losing weight or learning a new language, progress displays highly motivates users.
Wrap up
The prevalence of gamification will continue to expand across various industries, accompanied by advancements in sophisticated gamified solutions. As these solutions evolve, their influence and effectiveness will grow.
Gamified apps and interactive experiences have revolutionized the way of learning and engaging with work. Integrating game-like features in work, learning, daily tasks, and training have proven to be a powerful tool to enhance motivation and skill development.
Established corporations will continue to drive innovation in existing gamification practices, while smaller companies will also join the gamification trend, leveraging social media platforms and increased access to digital tools.
