Introduction to Gamification Part 9: Elements and Mechanics

Game mechanics are covered in multiple places on this blog, but to continue with the introduction series, I thought I would have a brief revisit here, with less personal opinion than usual (ish)! There are many definitions of game mechanics, but rather than going into those, I will just present the one that I use.

“A distinct set of rules that dictate the outcome of interactions within the system. They have an input, a process and an output.”

Further to this, we can also state that dynamics are

“The users respond to collections of these mechanics”

A simple example of a game mechanic can be seen in Tetris. The ability to rotate the blocks as they fall, is a mechanic.

The user presses a button, the block rotates. You could alter the mechanic by, for instance, changing it so pressing a button swaps the block to a new block. If you want to know more about the topic of game mechanics, here are a few things to read!

  • Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman: Rules of Play [1]
  • Robin Hunicke, Marc LeBlanc & Robert Zubek: MDA Framework [2]
  • Jesse Schell: The Art of Game Design, A Book of Lenses [3]

Game Mechanics vs. Game Elements

From our perspective as gamification designers, game mechanics is often used as a catch all term for an and all elements that we may wish to use from games. Whilst this drives me a bit crazy, it is the sad truth of the matter.

If you wish to alleviate my pain, please just talk about game elements! An example of this would be the humble leaderboard. This is often referred to as a gamification mechanic. However, what does the user interact with?

A leaderboard is really a feedback mechanic (as are points and badges!). When talking about game elements, there are hundreds upon hundreds of feedback mechanics, game mechanics, scheduling mechanics and more that can be combined and used to create experiences for the user. The trick is to choose a few that will work for the target audience. As such, a long time ago now, I chose 52 that I personally like to use and recommend to people.

They are split up into groups of general elements (applicable to all), reward schedules and elements that are likely to be attractive to specific HEXAD user types. I have also commented on the type of element it is. This is not to say that these groupings are set in concrete, nothing could be further from the truth, but it is a helpful way to think about them! I even created a periodic table to help keep it all in one simple place!

My 52 Game Elements

So here they are. Make of them, what you will. Combine them, use them on their own, but make sure you understand why you are using them and what you hope to achieve with them!

General

On-boarding/Tutorials

No one uses manuals anymore! Help people get used to your system with a nice tutorial or a gentle introduction on how everything works.

Element
Signposting

Sometimes, even the best people need to be pointed in the right direction. Signpost next actions to help smooth early stages of a journey. Use “just in time” cues to help users who are stuck.

Element
Loss Aversion

No one likes to lose anything they have earned. Fear of losing status, friends, points, achievements, possessions, progress etc. can be a powerful reason for people to act.

Emotion
Progress/Feedback

Progress and feedback come in many forms and have many mechanisms available. All User Types need some sort of measure of progress or feedback, but some types work better than others do.

Feedback
Theme

Give your gamification a theme, often linked with narrative. Can be anything from company values to werewolves. Add a little fantasy; just make sure users can make sense of it.

Element
Narrative/Story

Tell your story and let people tell theirs. Use gamification to strengthen understanding of your story by involving people. Think like a writer!

Element
Curiosity/Mystery Box

Curiosity is a strong force. Not everything has to be fully explained, a little mystery may encourage people in new directions.

Emotion Mechanic
Time Pressure

Reducing the amount of time people must do things can focus them on the problem. It can also lead to different decisions.

Mechanic Schedule
Scarcity

Making something rare can make it even more desirable.

Mechanic Schedule
Strategy

Make people think about what they are doing, why they are doing it and how it might affect the outcomes of the game.

Element Mechanic Dynamic
Flow

Getting the perceived levels of challenge and skill just right can lead to a state of Flow. Balance is the key.

Dynamic
Consequences

If the user gets things wrong, what are the consequences? Do they lose a life, points or items they have earned?

Mechanic Feedback
Investment

When people invest time, effort, emotions or money, they will value the outcomes even more.

Mechanic Emotion

 

Schedules

Random Rewards

Surprise and delight people with unexpected rewards. Keep them on their toes and maybe even make them smile.

Schedule
Fixed Reward Schedule

Reward people based on defined actions and events. First activity, level up, progression. Useful during on-boarding and to celebrate milestone events.

Schedule
Time Dependent Rewards

Events that happen at specific times (birthdays etc.) or are only available for a set period of time (e.g. come back each day for a reward). Users must be there to benefit.

Schedule

 

Socialiser

Guilds/Teams

Let people build close-knit guilds or teams. Small groups can be much more effective than large sprawling ones. Create platforms for collaboration but also pave the way for team-based competitions.

Element
Social Network

Allow people to connect and be social with an easy to use and accessible social network. It is can be more fun to play with other people than to play on your own.

Element Dynamic
Social Status

Status can lead to greater visibility for people, creating opportunities to create new relationships. It can also feel good. You can make use of feedback mechanics such as leaderboards and certificates.

Feedback Emotion
Social Discovery

A way to find people and to be found is essential for building new relationships. Matching people based on interests and status can all help get people started.

Element
Social Pressure

People often don’t like feeling they are the odd one out. In a social environment, this can be used to encourage people to be like their friends. Can demotivate if expectations are unrealistic.

Emotion
Competition

Competition gives people a chance to prove themselves against others. It can be a way to win rewards but can also be a place where new friendships and relationships are born.

Element Mechanic Emotion

 

Free spirit

Exploration

Give your Free Spirits room to move and explore. If you are creating virtual worlds, consider that they will want to find the boundaries and give them something to find.

Dynamic Mechanic
Branching Choices

Let the user choose their path and destiny. From multiple learning paths to responsive narratives. Remember, choice must be (or at least feel) meaningful to be most effective and appreciated.

Mechanic
Easter Eggs

Easter eggs are a fun way to reward and surprise people for just having a look around. For some, the harder they are to find, the more exciting it is!

Mechanic
Unlockable/Rare Content

Add to the feeling of self-expression and value, by offering unlockable or rare content for Free Spirits to use. Linked to Easter eggs and exploration as well as achievement.

Mechanic Feedback Dynamic
Creativity Tools

Allow people to create their own content and express themselves. This may be for personal gain, for pleasure or to help other people (teaching materials, levels, gear, FAQ etc.).

Mechanic Element Dynamic
Customisation

Give people the tools to customise their experience. From avatars to the environment, let them express themselves and choose how they will present themselves to others.

Mechanic Element Dynamic

 

Achiever

Challenges

Challenges help keep people interested, testing their knowledge and allowing them to apply it. Overcoming challenges will make people feel they have earned their achievement.

Mechanic Element
Certificates

Different from general rewards and trophies, certificates are a physical symbol of mastery and achievement. They carry meaning, status and are useful.

Feedback
Learning/New Skills

What better way to achieve mastery than to learn something new? Give your users the opportunity to learn and expand.

Mechanic Element Dynamic
Quests

Quests give users a fixed goal to achieve. Often made up of a series of linked challenges, multiplying the feeling of achievement.

Mechanic Element
Levels/Progression

Levels and goals help to map a user’s progression through a system. It is as important to see where you can go as it is to see where you have been.

Element Feedback
Boss Battles

Boss battles are a chance to consolidate everything you have learned and mastered in one epic challenge. Usually, signals the end of the journey – and the beginning of a new one.

Mechanic Element Dynamic

 

Philanthropists

Meaning/Purpose

Some just need to understand the meaning or the purpose of what they are doing (epic or otherwise). For others, they need to feel they are part of something greater than themselves.

Emotion
Care-taking

Looking after other people can be very fulfilling. Create roles for administrators, moderators, curators etc. Allow users to take a parental role.

Dynamic Emotion
Access

Access to more features and abilities in a system can give people more ways to help others and to contribute. It also helps make them feel valued. More meaningful if earned.

Mechanic
Collect & Trade

Many people love to collect things. Give them a way to collect and trade items in your system. Helps build relationships and feelings of purpose and value.

Mechanic Dynamic
Gifting/Sharing

Allow gifting or sharing of items to other people to help them achieve their goals. Whilst a form of altruism, the potential for reciprocity can be a strong motivator.

Mechanic Dynamic
Sharing Knowledge

For some, helping other people by sharing knowledge with them is its own reward. Build the ability for people to answer questions and teach others.

Mechanic Dynamic

 

Player

Points / Experience Points (XP)

Points and XP are feedback mechanics. Can track progress, as well as be used as a way to unlock new things. Award based on achievement or desired behaviour.

Feedback
Physical Rewards / Prizes

Physical rewards and prizes can promote lots of activity and when used well, can create engagement. Be careful of promoting quantity over quality.

Feedback Mechanic
Leaderboards / Ladders

Leaderboards come in different flavours, most commonly relative or absolute. Commonly used to show people how they compare to others and so others can see them. Not for everyone.

Feedback Dynamic
Badges / Achievements

Badges and achievements are a form of feedback. Award them to people for accomplishments. Use them wisely and in a meaningful way to make them more appreciated.

Feedback
Virtual Economy

Create a virtual economy and allow people to spend their virtual currency on real or virtual goods. Look into the legalities of this type of system and consider the long term financial costs!

Feedback Mechanic Dynamic
Lottery / Game of Chance

Lotteries and games of chance are a way to win rewards with very little effort from the user. You have to be in it, to win it though!

Mechanic Schedule

 

Disruptor

Innovation Platform

Disruptors think outside the box and boundaries of your system. Give them a way to channel that and you can generate great innovations.

Mechanic Dynamic Element
Voting/Voice

Give people a voice and let them know that it is being heard. Change is much easier if everyone is on the same page.

Mechanic Dynamic
Development Tools

Think modifications rather than hacking and breaking. Let them develop new add-ons to improve and build on the system.

Mechanic Dynamic
Anonymity

If you want to encourage total freedom and lack of inhibitions, allow your users to remain anonymous. Be very, very careful as anonymity can bring out the worst in people!

Dynamic
Light Touch

Whilst you must have rules, if you are encouraging disruption, apply them with a light touch. See how things play out before jumping in. Keep a watchful eye and listen to the feedback of users.

Dynamic
Anarchy

Sometimes you just must burn it all to the ground and start again. Sit back, throw the rulebook out of the window and see what happens! Consider running short “no rules” events.

Dynamic

 

Key Learning Points

  1. Not all game elements are game mechanics!
  2. There are lots of game elements
  3. Make sure you understand why you are using certain elements and what you hope to achieve with them.

References

[1]        K. Salen and E. Zimmerman, Rules of Play: Fundamentals of Game Design, vol. 37. 2004.

[2]       R. Hunicke, M. LeBlanc, and R. Zubek, “MDA: A Formal Approach to Game Design and Game Research,” Work. Challenges Game AI, pp. 1–4, 2004.

[3]       J. Schell, The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses. Morgan Kauffmann, 2008.

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Also published on Medium.

3 thoughts on “Introduction to Gamification Part 9: Elements and Mechanics”

  1. muchas gracias por el artículo, nunca es suficiente ampliar sobre dinámicas y mecánicas. Tengo una duda que no logro aclarar: par mí detrás de las dinámicas están las emociones, por lo que al hablar de dinámicas estamos hablando de emociones. En tu lista diferencias dinámica de emoción. Por ejemplo : presión social moviliza emociones., ¿por qué no podemos considerarla una dinámica? Por favor, aclara estas dudas. Gracias de antemano!

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