The Benefits and Pitfalls of Gamification
Gamification is becoming a hot commodity around the web, but what is it? Is it being used correctly? Let's have a look at various aspects of gamification and how they can be used and misused.
Gamification is one of those buzz words you've probably heard if you're involved in the internet industry. You've probably run across it at some point (perhaps even on Envato sites!) In the same way that personification is the act of attributing characteristics of a person onto another object, gamification is the process of implementing game mechanics into a non-game activity or entity. The purpose is to increase engagement and investment of a user base.
The basic psychological principle behind gamification is to provide positive reinforcement for each action taken. We are an incentive driven world in that we rarely do anything without expecting some sort of pay off. Gamification helps to either provide an incentive where one was lacking, or to increase a current incentive. This results in an elated feeling whenever we receive a new badge or trophy.