10 Best Gamified Fitness Apps (Ranked 2026)
A behavioral-design breakdown of 10 fitness apps, from Strava to WHOOP, and what their game loops teach us…
Work with Yu-kai
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.
Does Being Polite to ChatGPT Yield Better Answers? Prompt Engineering Techniques
Short answer: It depends on the task. In hands-on experiments, a polite prompt produced more ideas and a…
10K HP Step 5: Build Your Alliance (Network)
Now that we have determined the Game we are playing, what our Stats and Roles are, and the…
Exploring the Art of Choice in Game Design Technique: Plant Picker vs. Poison Picker
Every game designer faces the same dilemma: do you give players real choices that change the outcome, or…
Real Gamification Life Skill: How to Develop Vision
⚡ Speed Run Notes Vision is not a gift — it is a practice. People who “have vision”…
The Aura Effect in Gamification Design (Game Technique #9)
What if one person’s success could automatically make everyone around them stronger, more engaged, and more motivated —…
Avatar Design: The $42 Billion Psychology of Digital Identity (Game Technique #13)
Most people think of avatars as digital stickers. A fun profile picture. Maybe a character you pick from…
Mystery Box Reward Design: The Psychology Behind Random Rewards
Every game designer knows that rewards drive behavior. But here’s what most get wrong: the reward itself matters…
Appointment Dynamics in Gamification (Game Technique #21)
Most game design techniques get more powerful when they get more complex. Appointment Dynamics breaks the rule. It’s…