Most gamification platforms slap on points, badges, and leaderboards and call it a day. That approach misses the real question: why do some point systems create obsession while others get ignored after a week?
In the Octalysis Framework, gamification goes much further than PBL. But points, badges, and leaderboards can be a powerful addition to your design, if used right. The right implementation of the right Game Technique at the right time and place is what makes for a successful design and an engaging experience.
This is the principle at the core of Yu-kai Chou’s book: Actionable Gamification.
In Octalysis, we define two types of points:
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About the Creator of the Octalysis Framework
Yu-kai Chou created the Octalysis Framework after studying gamification since 2003 — years before the term entered mainstream vocabulary. As a Human-Systems Architect & Behavioral Designer, his framework has been applied by LEGO, Microsoft, Porsche, Coca-Cola, Salesforce, and MrBeast, impacting over 1.5 Billion Users.
Chou has taught the Octalysis methodology at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Tesla, Google, BCG, and IDEO.
His work has been cited by Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Wired, US Department of Energy, NIST, NSF, NCBI, US Department of Education, ClinicalTrials.gov, and 3,700+ more academic publications. Explore his books here.
Status Points (GT #1)
Status points allow the user to grow in status as they do more of the desired behavior.
These are often experience points.
They focus on Core Drive 2: Development & Accomplishment, they make the user feel accomplished and a sense of progression.
With Status Points the user can level up and unlock permanent powers.
Exchangeable Points (GT #75)
Exchangeable points are points that you can redeem, exchange, gift.
These are often virtual currencies.
They focus on Core Drive 4: Ownership & Possession, they allow accumulation and exchange.
As well as Core Drive 6: Scarcity & Impatience, make sure there is scarcity in coins and items are useful to buy.
This is where The Big Burn (GT #88) can be used by introducing an expensive item that will only give a small cosmetic change.
The user can tell other users about her success in coins accumulation by showing off this cosmetic change.
This mechanic, where the user can quickly burn the majority of her points for something, helps you to control your economy.
With Exchangeable Points the user can redeem points for items that have a one-time use.
Occasionally they might be used to unlock permanent powers, but this is less common.
Important Differences
It is important to be aware of the differences between these two types of points as to not mix them up.
Most games use both points: experience to level up as status points, and currency to use and redeem as exchangeable points.
Both point types live on the Left Brain (extrinsic) side of Octalysis — they are powered by Core Drive 2: Development & Accomplishment, Core Drive 4: Ownership & Possession, and Core Drive 6: Scarcity & Impatience.
Next week we will take a closer look at Badges and what they can bring to your experience if implemented correctly.
Got a taste of the things you will learn in Octalysis Prime? Learn more by heading there now and sign up to try the FREE version of Octalysis Prime (no strings attached). Gain access to over 700 videos about Game Techniques and the 8 Core Drives of Octalysis and subjects like Motivational Psychology, Entrepreneurship, Behavioral Economics, Applied Psychology and more!
Related Reading
- Points, Badges, Leaderboards: Part 2 of 3
- Points, Badges, Leaderboards: Part 3 of 3
- The Octalysis Framework for Gamification & Behavioral Design
- The Strategy Dashboard for Gamification Design
- What is Gamification?
- Books by Yu-kai Chou