What are the elements of gamification?
Do you remember Super Nintendo, Atari, or PlayStation games? And the board game versions of classic games like The Game of Life or Monopoly? All these games were precursors to an educational strategy called gamification. This is because it uses game elements to promote learning.
In short, technical knowledge can be inserted into the dynamic context of games to encourage learning. Currently, there are many types of gamification in the market for corporate training in various segments. Additionally, serious games or business games (as they are known) can also be used in undergraduate and graduate courses for more practical learning.
In today's article, we will present some elements that make up the gamification strategy and are inherited from games. There are 4 characteristics, in particular, that define an activity as a game: establishing rules; defining a goal; providing feedback; and having voluntary participants. See below for some other components:
Plot
Also known as "storytelling," this is a very important technique for producing gamification activities. This is because the story is the main engaging element in a game, regardless of the target audience.
In short, this is how the participant truly creates a connection with the activity. Thus, the plot needs to be captivating, dynamic, and attention-grabbing. It should evoke emotions and motivate, regardless of the scenario or time in which it takes place.
Character
Next, the second most important element of gamification is the character. It is a virtual representation of the protagonist being controlled by the participant. In this sense, it needs to have a direct relation to the game's plot.
Characters are important tools in games to motivate actions. Throughout the story, the player wants to experience new stages and check the progress of this figure. Moreover, personification helps in creating bonds with the activity.
Obstacles and Journey
One of the most interesting elements of games that gamification uses is progression. Throughout the activity, being able to build a journey, checking obstacles, and achieving goals is what basically makes up the gameplay.
This expectation of wanting to overcome phases and solve problems to continue understanding the story is what maintains the stimulus for participation. However, it is important to establish a balance so that the participant does not become frustrated. The challenge of obstacles cannot be too easy or too difficult, precisely so that development can be verified.
Competition and Prizes
A large part of gamification strategies involve competition. Especially when the activities target a team of professionals or a group of students. This is a great motivating element for everyone to participate in the training, especially if, at the end of the activity, there is a ranking and/or prizes for the winners.
After all, we are competitive by nature, and games allow us to use this feeling to generate positive results. But, of course, this logic only works if the competition occurs in a safe and healthy manner, right?
Feedback
With the purpose of encouraging autonomy and allowing progress in the activity, a good gamification strategy brings frequent feedback. This is important so that the participant can evolve, identifying points that require improvement and the consequences of their decision-making.
This gamification element is very useful for promoting education, both in courses and training. This is because it allows the participant to frequently evaluate their performance, in addition to showing the results to managers/teachers.
OGG – gamification solutions
OGG emerged in 2005 to bring greater engagement and innovation in academic and corporate training areas, with gamified solutions. Currently, we help institutions, organizations, and teachers to reframe the learning process with dynamic tools from serious games.
To learn more about our gamification strategies, visit our website and discover our games! And if you liked this article, don't miss the updates on our blog!
