5 essential Ps of gamification

I always like to try and simplify concepts to help me explain them to people, hence I keep creating acronym based frameworks!! (RAMP, EEEE, GAME etc.).

Well, my latest is fiveĀ essential PsĀ that gamification projects have to have to stand a chance of any success. The scary thing is, that in many projects I have seen, at least one is always missing!

  • Purpose: This covers threeĀ things in gamification. The first is many implementations lack a clear purpose. They are often the product of a conversation that starts with “I’ve heard about gamification, lets get in on that and gamify something.” The Second is the kind of purpose I speak of in my RAMP framework. A sense that what the user is involved in is worth something more than just earning points.Ā Finally there is the fact that oftenĀ many users have no idea what the system is for or why it exists!
  • Progress: Without progress, there is no way of knowing that you are heading in the right direction and at the right pace. Progress involves feedback, acquisition of skills, development of skills and more.
  • Proficiency: Linked strongly with progress, there needs to be some level of improvement and development in skills to keep people engaged. If the system does nothing more than ask the user to click “like” for points, it won’t take very long for them to master it!
  • Pride: People need to feel proud of their achievements. If a system gives them no way to feel that, then they will quickly lose interest. Pride is not a bad thing, it is key to our self-esteem.
  • People: Your potential users are people, first andĀ foremost. Never treat them likeĀ commoditiesĀ or cattle. You haveĀ toĀ understandĀ their wants and needs as much (if not more) than those of the system or the management whoĀ commissionedĀ it.

If you build a system with any of these missing, you are in danger of create very shallow layers of gamification that will not hold interest for any length of time. You can also end up alienating and even angering potential users – especially if the purpose part is not completely understood by all!

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5 thoughts on “5 essential Ps of gamification”

  1. Very good title for your post, it immediately caught my attention. You highlight the core of gamification in a short but sweet manner.

    I like the approach of incorporating pride as an essential for gamification. Your conclusion ties the article together very delicately.

    I enjoy reading your blog. It provides me with new information on a regular basis.

    Reply
  2. This post is great because it not only shows what the key parts of a successful Gamification project is but also the importance of each one can be seen. Each individual part plays an important role in the overall outcome of the project.

    This can be applied to many other things as well I feel. People play a very important role and that is sometimes neglected.

    Reply

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