Category: Advanced Gamification

In the realm of game design, understanding how to engage players is key to creating memorable experiences. In this article post, we’re going to explore two distinct game design techniques (GT): the “Plant Picker (GT #11)” and the “Poison Picker (GT #89).” Both these techniques are part of Core Drive 3: Empowerment of Creativity and Feedback, in the Octalysis Framework.

Understanding the Concept of Choice in Games

Choice is a fundamental aspect of human experience, and its integration in games is no less significant. Players generally prefer games that offer choices over linear, predictable gameplay. This brings us to two ways of integrating choices in games: meaningful choices (Plant Picker) and the feeling of choice (Poison Picker).

Plant Picker: The Essence of Meaningful Choices

Plant Picker: This term refers to a design technique where players are given meaningful choices that significantly impact the game’s outcome. These choices are substantial and lead to different consequences or paths in the gameplay. For example, in a strategy game, choosing to build one type of unit over another could drastically change the player’s ability to overcome challenges, thereby affecting the overall strategy and experience. The term “Plant Picker” is derived from the idea of choosing what plants to grow in a garden, where each choice (like different plants) has distinct outcomes and growth patterns.

The concept of the Plant Picker is central to creating a game where choices genuinely impact the player’s journey. It’s not just about providing options; it’s about ensuring these choices have real consequences and add value to the gaming experience.

When we talk about meaningful choices in games, we look at how diverse the players’ approaches can be. For instance, in the game “Plants vs. Zombies,” players must choose from a variety of plants, each with unique abilities, to defend against zombie invasions. This choice isn’t superficial; it fundamentally alters the way the game is played. This kind of strategic depth is what makes a game engaging and replayable.

When players encounter a Plant Picker scenario, they feel genuinely in control of their game journey. This could be selecting strategies, pathways, or responses that significantly alter the game’s progression. Such choices enrich the gaming experience, making each playthrough unique and player-specific.

Poison Picker: The Perception of Choice

In the ever-evolving realm of gamification and Octalysis design, there exists a myriad of Gamification Design Techniques that captivate and engage players. Today, let’s cover the “Aura Effect.” This technique, while seemingly simple, has profound implications not only in the gaming world but also in the broader spectrum of business and social dynamics.

Understanding the Aura Effect (Game Design Technique #9)

At its core, the Aura Effect is a mechanism where the status or rewards of one user uplifts and benefit those around them. Imagine a member of a gaming community who has achieved a high level or possesses a unique power-up. Due to this individual’s elevated status, others in proximity reap the benefits. As a result, everyone else in the group would commit more Desired Actions because of this person’s activities, and of course, this person would get a lot more honor and social appreciation (Core Drive 5), which would also push him to commit more Desired Actions.

How I Discovered the Aura Effect within Games

The roots of my Aura Effect Gamification Design Technique can be traced back to the iconic game, “Diablo II.” In this game, the Paladin, one of the character roles, possesses a range of “auras.” Players can invest points to enhance these auras, which in turn offer various benefits such as increased health, magic resistance, or even amplified damage to those around the Paladin. The presence of a Paladin in a party elevates the entire group, making them more formidable. This dynamic not only enhances gameplay but also fosters social interactions, as players are keen to team up with a Paladin to harness the benefits of their aura.

Translating the Aura Effect to the Business World

In the realm of business, the Aura Effect can be manifested in referral programs. Consider receiving an email that reads, “Your friend has achieved Level 10 status on our platform. Because of their dedication, you as a friend can now join and immediately start at Level 3 instead of Level 1!” Such an approach is more enticing than a generic promotional offer. The underlying message is that someone you know has put in the effort, and achieved a milestone, and now, you have a unique opportunity to benefit from their hard work. This strategy taps into several Core Drives, including Scarcity, Social influence, and Accomplishment.

If you were to just get a random email that says, “We’re doing a new promotion and during this week, if you sign up you will start at Level 3!” it might seem very spamming and you might ignore it more easily. But when the Aura Effect email above reaches a user, it feels a bit stupid not to take advantage of the hard work your friend did in the game. So there is a much higher chance you would want to sign up just to get the benefit and also satisfy your curiosity (Core Drive 7) on what your friend is so committed to doing for a while (Core Drive 5).

Avatar Designs (Game Design Technique #13)

In recent decades, technological advancements have given rise to innovative Game Design Techniques, one of which is the increasingly popular Avatar concept. Despite its straightforward nature and widespread adoption, the avatar holds immense dynamism, reshaping the landscape of gamified design and infusing playful elements into digital platforms. This essay delves into the essence of avatars, their psychological implications, and their transformative impact on user engagement in the realm of gamification.

Defining the Avatar

At the heart of any digital platform lies the user – a real, living individual with unique experiences, desires, and perspectives. An avatar serves as a bridge between this real-world individual and the digital universe. In its simplest form, an avatar can be a static image representing the user. However, as technology has progressed, avatars have evolved into intricate 3D characters capable of mimicking real-world movements and interactions.

One might recall James Cameron’s cinematic masterpiece, “Avatar,” where the concept took a more tangible form. In the movie, avatars are biological entities, embodying the user’s consciousness and allowing them to navigate an alien world. While cinema and real-world applications differ, the core principle remains the same: an avatar is an extension of oneself, a manifestation of one’s identity in a virtual domain.

The Psychological Underpinnings

At the crux of the avatar’s appeal lies a powerful psychological mechanism: the core drive for ownership and possession. Users, when presented with an avatar that they can customize, inherently feel a sense of ownership. This digital representation becomes a part of their identity, a virtual self that they can mold, nurture, and showcase. Many users choose avatars that mirror their real-world appearance, while others opt for idealized or aspirational versions of themselves. This connection is so potent that it often translates into heightened engagement and loyalty to the platform.

Further extending the avatar’s psychological reach is its ability to foster social connections. Avatars can play a pivotal role in fulfilling the human need for Core Drive 5: Social Influence and Relatedness within the Octalysis Framework. In digital spaces, where users might be hesitant to reveal their true identities due to vulnerability concerns, avatars offer a safe middle ground. Instead of uploading personal photos, which might feel too revealing, or choosing impersonal images like landscapes, which lack identity, avatars provide a personalized yet guarded representation. They maintain the essence of the user while ensuring a level of privacy and comfort.

Pet Companion Design (Game Technique #135)

In the vast universe of game design, there’s a myriad of techniques employed to amplify user engagement and immersive experiences. Among these, one stands out for its unique charm: the “Pet Companion” Game Design Technique #135.

This concept may remind some of the Avatar Design, a foundational game design technique. While there are similarities, the essence of ownership and the feeling of camaraderie differ significantly.

Distinguishing Avatar (GT#13) and Pet Companion Designs

In the world of Avatar Design, players often see themselves as the avatar. The avatar becomes an extension of their identity, a digital representation of themselves in the virtual realm. This embodiment fosters a profound connection, a bond that makes every achievement, loss, or challenge deeply personal.

In contrast, the Pet Companion Design introduces a subtle shift in this dynamic. Here, the player isn’t the digital entity but rather its master or friend. The relationship is one of guardianship and camaraderie. This distinction, while nuanced, profoundly alters the gaming experience. For example, when faced with a challenge, having a pet launch an attack feels distinctly different from the player-avatar doing so. The former feels like teamwork, while the latter is more personal.

How Battle Camp utilizes Pet Companions to expand their appeal

For clarity, let’s go deeper into some games that masterfully employ this technique:

In “Battle Camp,” players have the unique task of capturing monsters. Once captured, these monsters fight for the player. An intriguing aspect of “Battle Camp” is its substantial female player base. Beyond its vivid designs and colors, the game’s indirect combat mechanism provides a different kind of appeal. Instead of the player’s avatar fighting with ninja swords, their Pet Companions, or monsters, engage in combat, offering a level of detachment that can be particularly appealing to those who shy away from inflicting direct violence within games.

Some games have pushed the boundaries of the Pet Companion Design by introducing layers to the player’s virtual identity. In games like Battle Camp, players have avatars, which they can modify. These avatars, in turn, own battle pets that engage in combat. This layered approach adds depth to the gameplay, further distancing the player from direct combat and creating a more complex narrative.

It becomes a nice Core Drive 5: Social Influence & Relatedness experience.

Examples of Pet Companions within Iconic Games

1. Plants vs. Zombies: This game is a brilliant showcase of autonomous combat. The player’s home is under threat from zombies, and to defend it, plants are strategically placed in the garden. These plants then automatically fight off the approaching zombies, removing the player from direct combat. It’s a strategy game where the player’s choices determine the outcome, but the action is executed by their plant companions.
2. Super Mario: Mario’s adventures are made all the more thrilling with Yoshi, a green dinosaur. Yoshi not only serves as Mario’s mount but can also eat enemies, adding a layer of strategy to gameplay.
3. MegaMan: MegaMan’s world is enriched with companions like his loyal dog, which he can ride, and Beat, a bird that autonomously seeks out and attacks enemies. These companions add depth to the gameplay, offering varied combat options.
4. Diablo II: Here, players can have a ‘follower,’ a companion equipped with weapons and skills. This follower aids the player in battles, casting spells, and confronting adversaries. The customization options for the follower add an extra dimension to strategy.
5. World of Warcraft (WoW): WoW offers a multi-layered pet companion system. The Hunter class can tame wild animals, turning them into loyal companions. These companions can be trained, given equipment, and even have their skills customized. Additionally, WoW introduced battle pet companions, which players can train to fight other pets they encounter in the expansive game world.

Pros and Cons of Pet Companions

Pet Companion Design touches upon various Core Drives that motivate players. From the drive for Social Influence and Relatedness, where players feel a sense of camaraderie, to the drive for Empowerment of Creativity and Feedback, where players can customize their pets, these drives play a pivotal role in enhancing player engagement.

However, while the advantages are numerous, there are challenges too. Players might be less inclined to invest in cosmetic upgrades for their pets as compared to their avatars. This is because avatars often serve as a direct representation of the player in the digital realm.

Fitness and Health Apps: “Walk with a Virtual Pet”

Description: Many health and fitness apps have introduced virtual pet companions to motivate users to stay active. For instance, a user might adopt a virtual dog that requires daily walks. The health of the virtual pet directly correlates with the user’s physical activity. If a user reaches their daily step count or exercise goal, the virtual dog appears happy and healthy. Conversely, if the user is inactive, the virtual pet might appear sad or unwell.

Impact: By tapping into the user’s emotions and sense of responsibility towards their virtual pet, these apps encourage daily physical activity. Users aren’t just walking for their health; they’re also walking to keep their virtual pet companion happy.

Educational Platforms: “Learn with Your Study Buddy”

Description: Some e-learning platforms introduce virtual pet companions to assist students in their learning journeys. As a student progresses through lessons or achieves certain milestones, their virtual pet might evolve, gain new skills, or even unlock special features. The virtual pet can provide hints, celebrate the student’s achievements, and even pose challenges or quizzes.

Impact: The pet companion serves as both a motivator and a learning aid. Its evolution mirrors the student’s academic progress, making learning more engaging and rewarding. The interactive nature of the pet companion also aids retention and understanding of the material.

Banking and Finance Apps: “Grow Your Savings with Your Virtual Plant”

Description: Some banking apps utilize the pet companion technique by introducing virtual plants or trees that grow as users save money. When a user deposits money into their savings account, the virtual plant receives “water” and grows. Reaching certain savings milestones might result in the plant bearing fruit or flowers. However, withdrawing money might lead to the plant wilting, serving as a visual deterrent against unnecessary spending.

Impact: The virtual plant acts as a visual representation of the user’s financial health and growth. It encourages consistent saving habits and provides a sense of achievement as users watch their virtual plant flourish in tandem with their savings. The emotional connection to the plant’s well-being can deter impulsive spending, promoting better financial management.

In each of these examples, the Pet Companion Design Technique is leveraged outside of traditional gaming to foster engagement, responsibility, and motivation in real-world scenarios.

Incorporating Pet Companion Design in Gamification

The Pet Companion design offers dynamic game mechanics. However, its complexity can be a deterrent, especially for companies aiming for simpler gamification strategies. While not every project needs a “World of Warcraft” level of intricacy, incorporating nuanced mechanics beyond basic points and badges can create a more engaging user experience.

To conclude, the Pet Companion Design Technique offers an innovative avenue for enhancing player engagement. Its dynamics, when effectively incorporated, can significantly enrich the gaming experience. I’m eager to hear your insights on this technique and any memorable pet companion designs that have captivated you in your gaming adventures.

Today we shall explore another Gamification Design Technique I coin as the “Anticipation Parade” (Game Design Technique #15). This gamification design technique can be used for heightening the excitement and engagement levels in various mediums such as games, movies, and even business software. So, let’s unfold this narrative and venture into the depths of Anticipation Parade, a technique that not only engages users but sometimes makes an experience more gratifying.

An Anticipation Parade is a sensational event that builds up to a climactic moment. It is that pulse-quickening period just before an exhilarating event is set to unfold, generating an ambiance saturated with curiosity and excitement. The beauty of this technique lies in its ability to prepare the audience mentally and emotionally for what’s coming, fostering a state of heightened eagerness, and even a bit of impatience, driven by a tantalizing foreplay of what is about to occur. This buildup often augments the overall experience, making it vastly more engaging and immersive.

Let us step back a bit and analyze this technique through the lens of film history. One of the quintessential examples that illustrate this technique flawlessly is the theme music in the movie “Jaws,” a well-known thriller that had audiences gripping their seats. The music in the movie crafts a significant amount of tension, setting the stage for the shark’s appearance which in itself may last for just a fleeting moment.

However, this orchestrated build up of sound and tension, often lasting minutes, enhances the entire scene manifold, making the shark’s appearance feel a lot a more prominent than it actually is. It’s an orchestration that signals to the audience that an exhilarating event is imminent.

Similarly, in the animated world, series like “Dragon Ball” have utilized this method to great effect. The series, peppered with such instances, features characters like Vegeta who, before executing a powerful move, exhibits a buildup that is often accompanied by distinctive background musical scores. This musical cue not only sets the scene but also amplifies the gravity of the impending event. In the popular Parody Youtube Series, “Dragon Ball Z Abridged,” viewers love to joke about the Anticipation Parade. When Vegeta was full of rage and building up his powerful attack, his allies would try to stop him from destroying the earth, but since the piano scored as started to play, there was no going back.

Transcending beyond the realms of movies and animations, this technique finds its echoes in animated series like “Disney’s Aladdin” as well. Remember the time when Aladdin discovers the magic lamp? That moment wasn’t simply about the Genie popping out and offering wishes. There was a deliberate buildup, a spectacle that signaled to the audience that something wondrous was on the horizon, thus making the Genie’s eventual appearance more significant and delightful.

Now, let us shift our focus towards the gaming sphere where Anticipation Parades play a critical role. In games like “Heroes of the Storm” or “Overwatch”, the act of opening a loot box or a card pack isn’t a straightforward affair. The process is transformed into a theatrical event, adorned with animations and accompanied by musical cues that enhance the significance of the activity. Even though the rewards might not always match up to the buildup, the Anticipation Parade ensures that the process feels eventful and rewarding.

Now, I would like to bring your attention to the element of sound in creating this buildup. In many scenarios, especially in gaming, a spinning wheel is used to heighten the anticipation. The sound of the wheel spinning, accompanied by music that escalates in intensity, often serves as an auditory cue for the impending reward. This auditory buildup, coupled with visual elements, creates a rich tapestry of anticipation, making the eventual revelation a more rewarding experience.

Moreover, this technique is not limited to entertainment mediums. In the non-entertainment domain, a simple drumroll preceding an announcement serves a similar purpose, fostering a brief moment of heightened anticipation before the revelation. This technique leverages Core Drive 5: Social Influence and Relatedness, drawing people into a communal experience of anticipation.

Furthermore, in the realm of business software, companies like MailChimp had cleverly integrated this concept into their platform. Before sending out a newsletter to a large audience, a figure is depicted nervously poised to press the send button, visually echoing the sender’s own apprehensions and thus connecting with the user on an emotional level. This builds a brief moment of tension, which is then followed by a congratulatory message, thus transforming a mundane task into a more engaging and gratifying experience.

As we traverse through this journey of understanding the Anticipation Parade, it is evident that it is a powerful tool in human-focused design, a methodology that centers around human feelings and motivations as opposed to mere functionality and efficiency. It takes into consideration the human proclivity towards excitement and anticipation, and utilizes it to craft experiences that are more immersive and rewarding.

In conclusion, I’d encourage you to take notice whenever you spot an Anticipation Parade, possibly even finding avenues to incorporate it into your projects. Whether in media, movies, software products, or even in classroom settings, this technique has the potential to amplify the engagement and excitement levels.

I invite you to share examples and insights in the comments section, fostering a rich discussion that could potentially inspire many in our community. Let us explore how this technique can be woven into our narratives, making experiences more engaging and exciting.

The Allure of the Leveling System (Game Design Technique #85)

The Leveling System stands as a linchpin in the game design sphere, renowned for its intricate architecture yet perceivably seamless integration into a game’s narrative. When we venture into the complexities of this system, it essentially operates as a structured pathway where users, through their endeavors and activities within the game, accumulate experience points or status points, progressively reaching milestones that signal their growth and achievement.

This system finds its foundation in a few pivotal elements. Firstly, it aims to craft a rich, nuanced experience at various stages: the Onboarding phase, the Scaffolding phase, and the Endgame phase (Note: not in the Discovery Phase because the user hasn’t started leveling yet). This careful segmentation allows for a curated journey, where players are introduced to the game’s elements gradually, fostering a sense of discovery and growth.

Under the Octalysis framework, this process resonates strongly with Core Drive 2: Development & Accomplishment, which is essentially the motivation stemming from a player’s desire to grow, to improve, and to overcome challenges. Furthermore, this system ingeniously integrates elements of Scarcity and Impatience (Core Drive 6), where certain features and functionalities are withheld initially, only to be unveiled as the player advances, adding layers of anticipation and excitement.

Another utility of Leveling is connected to Social Influence and Relatedness (Core Drive 5). The status accrued as players level up grants them recognition in the gaming community, fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment. Moreover, this system intertwines with Ownership and Possession (Core Drive 4), as players are rewarded with better equipment, gear, or rewards as they progress, enhancing their stake and attachment to the game.

In this ecosystem, a principle to underline is the sunk cost fallacy (within Core Drive 8: Loss & Avoidance), a psychological phenomenon where individuals continue an endeavor owing to the invested resources, thus fostering consistency and commitment.

The leveling system, therefore, stands as a dynamic tool in the game designer’s repertoire, promoting a sense of achievement, fostering community engagement, and retaining players through carefully orchestrated experiences.

A quintessential example can be found in games like Noctis, where players progressively unlock new powers, nurturing a sense of empowerment and fostering creativity (Core Drive 3), which fuels engagement and retains interest over time.

The League Rank System (Game Design Technique #101)

As we shift our focus to the League Rank system, we find a different but equally compelling dynamic at play. This system, although less prevalent in the gamified platforms, carries the potential to transform the social arena, offering a vibrant, competitive, and yet equal playing field.

The League Rank system operates by categorizing users into various leagues – be it diamond, gold, platinum, or bronze. Within these leagues, individuals or teams compete, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie (Core Drive 5). The brilliance of this system lies in its ability to level the playing field, offering each player, irrespective of their ranking, an opportunity to excel in their respective leagues. When players are matched up with others of their own skill, the activities feel more balanced and enjoyable for both sides.

By doing so, it mitigates the potential demoralization that might occur in a single leaderboard system, where only one person is the winner, leaving thousands in the wake of defeat. Instead, it creates micro-communities where everyone has a chance to be on top, fostering a healthy competitive spirit and maintaining engagement.

This system echoes the principles of “urgent optimism,” a concept outlined by Jane McGonigal. It fosters a space where players are constantly nudged by both urgency and optimism (Core Drive 6 & 2), a belief that victory is within reach, fueling continuous engagement and participation.

Furthermore, League Ranks are predominantly performance-driven, aligning with the Core Drive 2: Development & Accomplishment. Players, through their skill and performance, have the potential to ascend leagues, an achievement that motivates the users to brag about their rise to greatness.

For instance, achieving a high rank in games like Starcraft II becomes a badge of honor, a testimony to one’s skill and dedication. This not only promotes a sense of accomplishment but also fosters community engagement and recognition, pillars upon which the League Rank system is built.

Moreover, this system fosters balance in team competitions, ensuring teams are pitted against each other based on their respective League Rankings, promoting fairness and competitiveness.

Applying Leveling Systems and League Ranks in Gamification

As gamification designers stand at the crossroads, the choice between a Leveling System and a League Rank System or even a hybrid of both depends largely on the intricacies of their gamified platform. Each system carries its unique strengths and can potentially revolutionize the gaming experience.

But the quintessential aspect lies in understanding the underpinning mechanics of each system, and how they align with the Octalysis Framework’s 8 Core Drives. This deeper understanding allows designers to craft experiences that are not only engaging but also resonate with the intrinsic motivations of the players.

Thus, as we stand at the frontier of game design, it becomes imperative to dive deeper, to explore, and to harness the potentials of these systems, fostering gaming environments that are engaging, dynamic, and profoundly immersive.

If you have been glued to a Leveling or League Rank System, inside or outside a game, would love to see you share your example and why was it so engaging so everyone can learn from it.