What is Gamification ?

Gamification is the process of taking something that already exists such as a app and integrating game mechanics into it to motivate participation, engagement, and loyalty. Gamification takes the data-driven techniques that game designers use to engage players, and applies them to non-game experiences to motivate actions.

The benefits to a learner :

1. Gamification allows players to learn while using the application. Fun allows the learner to improve their retention of information and also allow them to recall past information.
2. The environment allows players to learn in a safe environment. it also allows players to practice real life situations and challenges in a safe environment. This leads to a more engaged learning experience that facilitates better knowledge retention.
3. It provides instant feedback so that learners know what they know or what they should know. Implemented with machine learning, this could help the player benefit from an evolving application and in turn the child’s experience could inform the application.
4. Points, badges, leaderboards and rewards are effective for prolonged play. However, gamification is about more than just surface level benefits. Gamification can drive strong behavioural change especially when combined with the scientific principles of repeated retrieval and spaced repetition.
5. Gamification is flexible in the sense that the subject material can be easily tailored to peoples needs while also fitting seamlessly into a gaming situation.

Example : Fortnite

Fortnite is an online video game first released in 2017 and developed by Epic Games. It is available as separate software packages having different game modes that otherwise share the same general gameplay and game engine.

Instead of focusing on how big Fortnite is as a game, the main takeaway I want to use is that this game has been labelled as addictive. Numerous websites, news stories and blogs feature stories of kids spending a huge amount of cash on in-game purchases. Now, imagine if that sense of addiction could be applied to education. How much better could these kid’s lives be.

Why do kids spend money on Fortnite ?

“Study Says 69% Of ‘Fortnite’ Players Spend Money On The Game, $85 Spent On Average”

• It’s fun and features interaction with up to 100 players.
• The game can be use across multiple platforms such as games consoles and mobiles which means anyone can access it anywhere.
• Achievement for playing the game. Eliminating a character earns loot drops and rewards.
• The massive range of weapons and gadgets allow experimentation and greater bespoke play.
• Twitch and high profile gamers or celebrities are often seen playing the games.
• Open world which is cartoonish and pretty with lots of variety.
• No gore or obscene imagery which means it is kid friendly.
• It is simple to pick-up and play.
• The game is free to download but does have in-game purchases.
• Encourages collecting of resources to survive.
• Complex features with building functions.
• Customisable features and interactive environments.
• Personalised experience.
• Specialist Events – Based around Holidays etc.
• Meme’s generated from content.
• Fun to watch.
• Collecting is rewarding and players can unlock more customising skills.
• Builds on peoples competitiveness.
• Constant daily quests encourage re-play.

In my app I want to implement a range of rewards based on points received from engaging with educational material. These will be based around Fortnite so that children playing the game can receive new skins, customisable features, popular dances and other digital loot.