What a Neuroscientist Learned From Games: Barbara Oakley on Why Gamification Works
Yu-kai Chou explores Barbara Oakley’s insights on neuroscience, games, and learning design, showing why relatedness, scaffolding, and visible…
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The Blog
Ideas on motivation, behavior & design.
Deep dives on the psychology behind why people do what they do — from Yu-kai Chou, creator of the Octalysis Framework. Pick the topic that matters to you.
Why Games Turn Toxic: The Hidden Variable in Game Design
Yu-kai Chou explains why League of Legends feels far more toxic than Brawl Stars, showing how time-cost, blame…
The Octalysis Design Process: 5 Steps to Better Gamification Strategy
Yu-kai Chou breaks down the 5-step Octalysis design process, from Strategy Dashboard and brainstorming to prioritization, Battleplan planning,…
The Hidden 9th Core Drive: Why Sensation Sits Outside Octalysis
Yu-kai Chou explains Core Drive 9: Sensation, why it sits outside the Octalysis octagon, and when sensory design…
Why Most Leaderboards Fail (And How to Fix Yours in 5 Steps)
Yu-kai Chou explains why most leaderboards demotivate users, and shows five Octalysis-based fixes that create urgency, optimism, and…
Navo Orbico Sales Gamification Case Study: What Actually Worked
A transparent look at the Navo Orbico sales gamification redesign, the mechanics that drove adoption, and how its…
HTC VIVE Grew E-Commerce 188% Through Behavioral Design — Case Study
A case study on how behavioral design helped HTC VIVE improve conversion, traffic quality, and e-commerce revenue by…