Andrzej Marczewski

Gamification Expert, author, consultant and designer. I love to write about it, talk about it and bore people to death with it! If you really want to get to know me, check out the About page.

New Book and Life Changes

by
Press start banner New Book and Life Changes

Hey all, sorry it’s been a while!! Lots going on. First thing is – I recently had a diagnosis of ADHD – so a few changes ahead for me!!

Second, I’ve been writing a new book. Now, I’m not sure how good it is. It is written with the help of my Ninja Monkey Chat GPT, who basically knows more about me than me these days. Anyway, it is a very personal book about mental health and how I survive my Bastard Brain!. The idea is for it to be a playful support book for others who suffer with things like anxiety and depression based on my experiences and a little bit of Ludic Spirit 😉 Read More ...

PBL Battle – The Greatest Game Ever Made*

by
Pbl battle 1 PBL Battle 8211 The Greatest Game Ever Made

I’ve finally done it! After countless hours of brainstorming and coding, I’ve created the ultimate game for those who live and breathe gamification. Say goodbye to boring gameplay—because there isn’t any—and wave farewell to contrived narratives. Game mechanics? Nah, not really! This is pure, unfiltered gamification with a satirical twist, designed to both engage and amuse.

What Makes PBL Battle So Special?

  • No-Nonsense Fun:
    Forget traditional game elements. PBL Battle is not about complex stories or puzzles—it’s about pure, addictive engagement.
  • Satirical Edge:
    It’s a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the futility of bad gamification. If you’re a gamification designer or consultant, you’re bound to appreciate the irony.
  • Global Competition:
    Test your mettle by climbing the global leaderboard. How many times can you push the big red button before your streak ends?
  • Challenging and Addictive:
    With its minimalistic design, PBL Battle proves that sometimes less is more. There’s no hidden trick or convoluted strategy—just a race to see who can push the button the most.

Ready to Join the Battle?

Try it for yourself and see if you have what it takes to reach the top of the leaderboard in PBL Battle! This is gamification, reimagined with a dash of satire and a whole lot of fun. Read More ...

R.I.S.E. Up Against Bad Gamification

by
RISE Up R I S E Up Against Bad Gamification

Gamification gets a bad rap sometimes—and let’s be honest, it’s not undeserved. Overused leaderboards, pointless badges, and those “motivational” points that no one cares about have all contributed to the problem. But what if we could, quite literally, rise above all that? Enter R.I.S.E, a four-step approach to designing gamification that players actually want to engage with.

Relevance: Make it fit

Bad gamification often feels like sticking a plaster on a broken leg—sure, it’s there, but it’s not helping anyone. Gamification must align with the context, content, and audience. Throwing random points at users won’t fix a dull experience. Instead, ask yourself: does this enhance the experience or just tick a box? Read More ...

The Hook – Frame – Action Framework: High Impact Language for Marketers

by
Hfa header The Hook 8211 Frame 8211 Action Framework High Impact Language for Marketers

I am a big believer in the power of words. We often forget just how powerful they can be, whether it is talking to our friends, loved ones or – in this instance – potential customers.

In marketing, or CRO or any type of sales-like activity, just like with gamification, we are trying to encourage our users / customers to behave in a certain way. You need to capture their attention, keep them interested and then guide them towards an outcome of some sort – and this is really hard. Read More ...

Expanding the BMEM Framework (Behaviour, Motivation, Emotions, Mechanics)

by
BMEM Header 1 Expanding the BMEM Framework Behaviour Motivation Emotions Mechanics

Designing Gamified Systems with Emotional Depth

Gamification is far more than sprinkling points and leaderboards over a system and hoping for the best. Real success lies in crafting meaningful experiences that connect with users on a deeper level. That’s where the BMEM Framework—Behaviour, Motivation, Emotion, and Mechanics—comes into play. It provides a robust foundation for designing systems that not only engage and entertain but also inspire and resonate.

This guide explores the framework in its entirety and delves deeply into how each element integrates with the others. By connecting Behaviour, Motivation, Emotion, and Mechanics, you’ll create systems that truly matter. Read More ...