What is Gamification in Business?
The popularity of gamification has increased in both consumer markets for entertainment and business to business sectors as well. Typically, we think of Gaming including Sims, Mobile Legends & Fortnite for common examples of games that are common. However, in reality, gamification is very different than consumer games on the market. Games exist to entertain, while gamification exists to engage and motivate.
Per Wikipedia, Gamification is the application of game-design elements and game principles in non-game contexts.It can also be defined as a set of activities and processes to solve problems by using or applying the characteristics of game elements. Gamification commonly employs design elements to improve user engagement, organizational productivity, crowdsourcing, employee recruitment and evaluation, ease of use, usefulness of systems and more.
Put simply, gamification is the usage of game mechanics from a game in non-game contexts. Game mechanics include things like:
- Points & Levels
- Progress Bars
- Leaderboards
- Badges
These mechanics are pretty much the only similarity between games and gamification. To understand each of these game mechanics further, let’s put things into context using various examples.
Event Gamification Examples
Now you understand the importance and benefits of digital event gamification provide, you’re probably wondering what successful gamification looks like. A great idea to use for Virtual Events and Team Building can be a Virtual Scavenger Hunt which uses the participant’s mobile phone to track down objects (2D, 3D and AR) and accomplish tasks and missions. Since every event is different and depending upon your goals, you’ll want to utilize activities that work with your goals.
Please see below a few examples of the types of games that challenge and reward your attendees that can make your Virtual or In-person event unforgettable:
- Information Gathering
- Networking
- Team Building
- Product Awareness
- Vendor traffic
Productivity with instant feedback: when one plays a game, the attendee is given a clear purpose, a sense of autonomy and feedback on progress. Trust and cooperation: games are incredible platforms for social networking, collaboration and interaction. A shot at success: do you know that when one plays, he or she feels a strong sense of optimism because they have a chance to win? By immersing themselves in this other reality, participants feel part of something bigger than themselves.
Would you like to create events that have a similar effect on attendees? Then we have some great tips and tactics for your event planning.
Top Tips for incorporating Event Gamification
Before designing or incorporating a gamified element, consider the purpose of your event and the expectations of your attendees. You’ll find that each iteration of your gamification strategies improves across your events.
You should also choose your incentive wisely. Remember that guests are attending your event not to win a useless token prize, but to experience, learn and network. You might find they don’t much care what the incentive is, but they get swept up in the competitiveness as well as wanting to feel more connected to those around them. After all, we play board games and video games when the only real prize is in the acknowledgement that we won! That’s why intangible incentives can work just as well. Consider these options:A big-screen leaderboard
Gamification works on the principle of rewards. Various kinds of games, online and offline consist of certain tasks to be done, be it collecting coins, rescuing the princess or destroying candies. The successful completion of these tasks results into reward.
Gamification corner: Virtual or In-Person.Creating a separate gaming corner is a great way to attract audience. It is a space for the attendees to relax during breaks and in their free time. Small gamification corner with basic games is budget permissible. For Team building sessions, you can activate a digital gaming app for all the attendees to use to keep track of their points and collaborate on challenges together.
For more information on how to customize a gamification strategy to your business needs, please contact us for more information and a free consultation.