Introduction to Gamification for UI/UX Designs

The post introduces gamification as the use of game design techniques and mechanics in non-game contexts, especially in websites and web apps. It notes that the topic gained prominence around 2010 and points to examples such as badges, progress indicators, and hidden features.

Reading notes

#

• The author reports on a talk at WebApp 2012 about “Gamification in UI/UX Designs” and says that reading the slides alone does not do justice to the session without the notes and interaction with the audience.
• He states that the article rewrites the session with links, examples, and more information to introduce gamification in interface and user experience.
• The text says that gamification is not new and that the term gained prominence around 2010, popularized by marketing and management professionals to engage customers.
• The author cites Gabe Zichermann as one of the most important figures in spreading gamification in product design and development.
• As an example, the text shows badges, achievements, and virtual accolades, using Foursquare and CodeAcademy to illustrate how digital rewards stimulate progress and satisfaction.
• The text treats progress as a gamification technique and cites progress bars, LinkedIn profiles, and Twitter suggestions to encourage the user to complete steps.
• There is also the idea of virtual easter eggs, with references to the Konami Code, the site The Oat Meal, Google, and Kickstarter.
• The text warns about the negative side of gamification when it is used to force the user to buy or to act against their own interest, as in some domain registrars.
• At the end, the author says that gamification can increase engagement, ROI, trust, and loyalty, but only works as a means to a larger goal and does not replace content, service, and bad sites.