Gamification, as we know it today, has only been around for about a decade now.
The gamification field started to take flight in late 2010. It took its roots in the idea of using game elements and game designs in non-game contexts to reach various objectives while increasing user engagement and motivation.
Gamification is a tool for apps to keep users engaged and interested. When used right, apps can observe exceptional user engagement rates, and the users will return to the app repeatedly.
As of 2021, the total value of the global gamification industry was $11.94 billion, up to $7.03 billion from 2016. These numbers are expected to increase significantly over the next few years by nearly $20 billion to reach $32 billion by 2025. North America will lead the industry.
The growth rate and the success of gamification have led many apps to opt for gamification strategies. In this article, we will look at Mobile App Gamification Trends among various apps, and we will also have a detailed look at what is Mobile App Gamification.
Let’s get started!
What is Mobile App Gamification?
Mobile App Gamification refers to adding game components and contexts in the mobile app to make the app’s user experience more competitive, impactful, meaningful, and fun-filled. People are more likely to get involved in a particular business environment if it is interactive, competitive, and results-driven.
The fun features of gamification help increase the app’s traffic. Moreover, this experience encourages the users to use the app more frequently. With points and level upgrades, the users will get rewarded for using the app or purchasing from the app, and the app will be able to get loyal customers.
At its roots, gamification provides motivation, engagement, and inspiration!
Advantages of Adding Gamification to your Mobile App
- A better User-experience
- More Downloads
- Better retention & lower churn
- Brand Awareness Increases
- Incentivizes users to use the app for longer durations
- Improved marketing
- Unlocks user creativity
- Provide users with a fun onboarding experience
How To Add Gamification To An App?
Your app’s gamification workflow starts with design elements and then proceeds with the gamification process.
Typical design elements include:
- Levels
- Badges
- Performance Charts
- Points
- Leaderboard
- Social Integration
Refer to our article to learn more about adding Gamification to your app.
The elements of gamification can be implemented using specialized software. Amazon GameCircle, Apple’s Game Center, and Google Game Services are just a few examples.
Nevertheless, gamification strategies for mobile apps go beyond design and development. To achieve its main goal, it must engage and retain more users in the following ways:
Solve the App’s Problem with Gamification
One of the questions you will encounter while implementing Gamification is – “Which Gamification Methods should you use in your app?”
The answer lies in the problems that your app faces. For example, suppose you have a fitness app and are encountering engagement problems. In that case, you can use badges, performance charts, and levels to motivate users to use your app more and so to solve the engagement problem. Align the app’s problems with the gamification methods, and you will get the best results.
Add Social Elements to the Design
Achievements are less effective if they cannot be shared. Implementing social elements will help your app progress a lot faster.
One of the most remarkable aspects of gamification is its capacity to drive collaboration and socialization among groups. Ideally, the gamified app should reward social media sharing and encourage it.
Keep Things Simple
The goal of gamification is to make it fun and simple for the user to understand where they are in the process and what to do next. The user should be guided smoothly and transparently through each step.
The app’s workflow should be carefully curated into achievable objectives, and all the gamification improvements should be kept as simple as possible to allow the users to use them effortlessly.
Design a Reward System That is Easy to Use
Consider breaking the game into smaller chunks and offering small rewards upon completion of each one rather than promising One Big Reward at the end.
The users will complete all the tasks for the rewards, so the rewards should be attractive to the users. Also, ensure that all the achievements and rewards can be shared socially so the users can share their achievements.
Mobile App Gamification Examples: From Educational Apps to Dating Apps
1. Educational App: BYJU’S
About BYJU’S App
BYJU’S is an award-winning math, language, reading, and learning app for kids featuring Disney. The app is best suited for kids from Nursery to 12th standard. Disney and Pixar characters make the learning experience simple and fun for children. The app offers highly adaptive, engaging, and effective student learning programs.
BYJU’S Gamification
BYJU’S Gamification strategy uses quizzes, reward points, and challenges by arranging various competitions. Friendly competitions motivate children to give their best and improve to beat the other children. This is a win-win situation for BYJU’S and the children.
Source: animationxpress.com
Takeaway
Having competitive quizzes makes the children give their best. Such competition motivates the children and helps them have some fun while learning. The data of such quizzes also help BYJU’S measure student performance and evaluate their strong topics and in which topics they need improvement. This data also helps BYJU’S create more impactful and effective modules.
2. Productivity Management App: Todolist
About Todolist App
Todolist is a leading productivity app that helps users keep track of their tasks, from important office projects to simple household tasks. Over 25 million people rely on Todoist to organize their work and life. With features like Combine to-do lists, boards, labels, projects, and filters, users can effectively customize their productivity.
Todolist Gamification
Karma Points: The app uses points known as “Karma Points” as a gamification strategy to prompt users to complete their tasks. The users will receive Karma Points for completing their tasks. However, the users will also receive negative Karma Points when they miss the deadline.
The more karma users collect, the more levels they unlock, from Beginner to Enlightened. They can share their karma scores instantly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Source: keepproductive.com
Takeaway
The app uses points and achievements as a motivator. The users will earn points for their tasks, which can be shared online with friends and family. A better level suggests that the user is punctual in completing the tasks. Social sharing increases brand awareness too.
3. E-learning App – Duolingo
About Duolingo App
Duolingo is a language-learning app with over 500 million registered users. The app also provides official certificates after the successful completion of the course. Using this app, users can practice vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Duolingo offers over 100 courses across over 40 languages, including French, English, Spanish, German, etc.
Duolingo Gamification
Duolingo uses the following gamification features:
- Points – For rewards and leaderboard.
- Internal Currency – The users can earn internal currency by completing various activities.
- Social Interaction – Collaborate with friends invited via Facebook.
- Competition – The users can vote for the best translation provided by users.
- Badges – Awarded for completing various milestones.
Source: Getsocial
Takeaway
Duolingo creates a fun learning experience using all these gamification features. The badges provide recognition to the users that their efforts are creating results. Competition pushes the users to give their best and overcome everyone. The social features allow users to learn together. All these strategies transform the learning experience into the best E-learning experience.
4. Shopping App: Target
About Target App
Target is a shopping and reward app that makes the shopping experience easy and fast with its unique use case. Target is a general merchandise retailer with stores in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The app proudly hosts millions of registered users by offering a fantastic shopping experience and by helping save money with each purchase.
Target App Gamification
Holiday Wish App:
Target created the ‘Holiday Wish’ app in preparation for the holidays. Here, kids could create digital wish lists for Santa with the help of a 3D animated game. Then, parents can order or find their kids’ wishes instantly.
Source: Totallytarget.com
Takeaway
The strategy allowed the parents to know what their child wanted, and they were quickly able to order it from Target. The app generated over 75,000 downloads and 100,000 wish lists. There was high app engagement, with 61% of users checking in weekly and another 31% checking in several times daily.
$92.3 million in sales potential was collected by Target!
5. Fitness & Sports App: Nike+Fuel
About Nike+Fuel App
Nike+Fuel is a personalized fitness app by Nike that allows users to track their activity. The app is especially to track the activity of the Nike+ Fitness Band. The app helps the users track their movement, exercises, calories burned, heart rate, sleep pattern, and so on.
Nike+Fuel Gamification
Nike+ Fuel uses the following Gamification methods:
- Levels – The users will start from level one and will level up based on their activities.
- Badges & Trophies – Users will get badges and trophies for the milestones they achieve.
- Social Integration – Users can see the achievements of their friends and family. They can also challenge themselves with various activities.
Source: connectedarena.com
Takeaway
Through gamification, Nike+Fuel drives app engagement to collect more user data. With various achievements and trophies, the users feel more motivated and are more likely to use the app daily. This strategy enhanced Nike’s customer loyalty and boosted R&D and marketing productivity. With unique messages, Nike consistently encourages users to keep going by celebrating small wins.
6. Credit Card Bill Payment App: CRED
About CRED App:
Individuals can get exclusive offers and premium experiences from CRED when they pay their credit card bills on time using Cred. The platform allows users to manage multiple credit cards and analyze their credit scores. Users can also pay monthly rent online and education fees using credit cards on CRED.
CRED Gamification
CRED uses the following Gamification methods:
- Coins – The users will get a coin for all payments through the CRED app. The users can redeem these coins to get rewards.
- Games – Users can use the coins to play games and get a reward.
- Gems – The users will earn gems for each referral. These gems can be used to redeem rewards.
Source: medium.com
Takeaway
Gamification allows CRED to collect more user data. CRED enables Moven to acquire customers at the cost of $50 per customer due to word of mouth, which is over 80% below the industry average. As a result, Moven provides unique insight into how users spend their money. Users are encouraged to use the tool for all their payments.
7. Food & Drink App: Starbucks
About Starbucks App
Starbucks is one of the best coffee chains and also the place that observes the most Snaps and Instagram posts. The Starbucks app allows users to discover more than 100+ handcrafted beverages and 60+ food choices. However, this app is the quickest way to Join the My Starbucks Rewards™ Program and be a part of the Starbucks family.
Starbucks Gamification
Reward Points: Starbucks has added a loyalty program to the app. The users can place their orders using the Starbucks app, and they will get stars for each purchase. These stars can be used to redeem free food and drinks.
Source: Starbucks
Takeaway
Reward points are the best way to serve loyal customers. With these points, they will get special loyal customer treatment. The app incentivizes users to order from Starbucks more frequently to get free drinks and food.
8. E-Commerce App: Flipkart
About Flipkart App
Flipkart is an E-commerce giant that offers a renowned online shopping experience with great deals and discounts on quality-assured products. From small things that are used in the house daily to big appliances, Flipkart sells it all. The app has millions of customers and thousands of sellers on the platform.
Flipkart Gamification
Flipkart uses the following Gamification methods:
- Super coins – Customers will get reward super coins for every purchase. It is a loyalty program.
- Gamezone – Users can play various games, and by winning, they can get super coins or discount coupons or offers.
- Leaderboards – The users who make the biggest purchase in the specified duration will be featured on the leaderboard, and the winner will get exciting prizes.
Source: shamnadt.com
Takeaway
These super coins and discount coupons are special discounts for the users, which they will get nowhere else, so they are more likely to use them and make a purchase. Super coins also work as a loyalty program, so the users will keep using Flipkart for all their purchases. Gamezone offers a unique shopping experience, and so attracts new users.
9. Habit Building App: Habitica
About Habitica App
With Habitica, you can build habits and achieve goals using retro RPG elements. You can use Habitica for ADHD, self-care, New Year’s resolutions, household chores, work tasks, creative projects, fitness goals, and back-to-school routines. It is the best way to gamify your goals and achieve them in the best way!
Habitica Gamification
RPG Gameplay Experience:
Habitica has transformed itself into an RPG game-like app. In the app, players can create characters, form guilds, and defeat monsters using RPG game mechanics. The players have to create their avatars and assign tasks to the avatar. As the players complete the tasks in real life, they can tick the task off, receiving gold, experience, and items that can be used in-game!
Source: getsocial.im
Takeaway
With a real-life RPG-like experience, Habitica offers users the most engaging and entertaining experience. The users can also join guilds and connect with like-minded people. Getting useable in-game rewards for completing tasks makes the users more sincere about their tasks.
10. Sports Equipment App: Under Armour
About Under Armour App
Under Armour is an American sports equipment company that manufactures footwear, sports and casual apparel. Users can buy Under Armour sports gear and wear with the Under Armour app. The app also offers fitness videos, suggestions, diets, etc. The app is an all-rounder fitness app for users.
Under Armour Gamification
StephIQ:
Steph Curry teamed up with them to launch StephIQ during the NBA playoffs. Every time Curry scored a three-pointer, users were asked a series of trivia questions. Answering all eight questions correctly led to winning a prize pool and entering a special raffle, including free tickets, signed sneakers, and Under Armour apparel.
Source: engadget.com
Takeaway
The strategy was a massive success for Under Armour and the NBA. The app caused an increase in NBA’s viewership and sales for the brand itself. The average app visit was incredibly high during this period.
11. Fitness App: Fitbit
About Fitbit App
Fitbit is a wearable fitness tracker connected to the official Fitbit app. The Fitbit app keeps a record of all the things the Fitbit wearables record. The app also offers various programs like fitness routines, work-from-home workouts, etc. The app also records the user’s sleep cycle, food nutrition, stress level, heart rate, etc.
Fitbit Gamification
The Fitbit app uses various gamification models like:
- Badges – The users will get different badges based on their activities. For example, the Serengeti badge is awarded for 500 miles, corresponding to the distance of the Serengeti National park.
- Social Engagement – The users can find their friends and family members using the Fitbit app and compete with them on various challenges and achievements. The users can also upload their achievements online via social integrations.
- The original challenge – Walk virtually around the city of your choice with Fitbit. Staying fit and exploring a new city simultaneously is a great combination.
Source: thence.co
Takeaway
With various challenges, badges, and social engagement, the Fitbit app motivates users to perform more physical exercises and achieve the best results. The users can share their achievements online and compete with their friends and family members.
12. Shopping App: Walmart
About Walmart App
Through the Walmart Mobile App, users can browse, search, and purchase millions of Walmart.com products from anywhere. App notifications notify users of new savings and allow them to pay in any store from their phone. With the Walmart app, users can now pay with Walmart Pay at all Walmart stores.
Walmart Gamification
The Walmart app uses the following gamification models:
- Employee Engagement – Walmart uses gamification to train employees and keep them engaged and motivated.
- Reward Points – Users get reward points for their purchases which they can redeem to get amazing discounts.
Source: walmart.com
Takeaway
Walmart uses gamification to help engage staff and provide better customer interaction to extend its Brand Promise. This results in higher staff engagement and less employment churn. The users get a unique and fun shopping experience.
13. Instant Messaging App: Snapchat
About Snapchat App:
Snapchat is one of the most famous instant messaging and photography apps, with approximately 293 million daily users. The app can instantly share moments and videos with friends and family. The unique filters and effects of Snapchat make it one of the favourite apps of millennials for capturing photos and shooting videos.
Snapchat Gamification
Snapchat is one of the earliest users of gamification for mobile apps.
Snapchat uses the following Gamification methods:
- Badges & Trophies – They use various badges and trophies that can be earned by doing simple tasks.
- Games – Snapchat has recently added various simple multiplayer games that users can play with other Snapchat users or their Snapchat friends.
- Streak – Users have to send snaps regularly to get the streak count. To maintain the streak, they have to use the app daily.
Source: rickyspears.com
Takeaway
Snapchat has established itself as a pioneer of gamification. The streak feature of Snapchat has left users obsessed. To maintain the streak, one has to send a picture or video to their Snapchat friends daily, and Snapchat users make sure to send snaps to maintain their streaks. They also share their trophies as an achievement in their stories.
14. Reward App: Shopkick
About Shopkick App:
Shopkick is an app that rewards users for the shopping that they do. They have partnered with various famous stores and brands, and so on every purchase from the partnered stores, the app will give reward points to the users. Whether it is online shopping or shopping from the store, the users will get incredible rewards with Shopkick.
Shopkick Gamification
Digital Scavenger Hunt:
Shopkick turns the shopping experience into a digital scavenger hunt. Shopkick notifies consumers when they can collect points at retail locations, called kicks. When in-store, the user can use the app to see the items offering kicks, find the product, scan it with their mobile phone camera, and then redeem the kicks earned for gift cards.
Source: creditdonkey.com
Takeaway
A regular shopping experience becomes fun and rewarding with the Shopkick app by turning it into a digital scavenger hunt. The result is increased footfall, sales, and brand awareness for partner retailers. As per Shopkick, 97% of Shopkickers will try a new brand to earn kicks, increasing the brand value of Shopkick.
15. Dating App: Tinder
About Tinder App:
Tinder is an online dating and geosocial networking application with over 75 Million active users. Users can find singles in their city on this app. The users can swipe right for the profiles they like, and they can swipe left for the ones they dislike. Tinder is one of the best dating apps out there.
Tinder Gamification:
Swipe Right:
Initially, Tinder was less popular than other dating apps and crashed frequently. The company’s success is primarily due to targeting young people and introducing new gaming features like swipes and variable rewards. Millennials now use the phrase “swipe right” in their language and culture because of this browsing and liking experience.
Source: tinder.com
Takeaway
The Swiping culture became famous because of Tinder. Users can have a quick look at the people and their hobbies and can quickly decide whether they like this person or not. Tinder offers a very engaging user experience. Tinder also hosts various games and date nights, contributing to the app’s popularity and likability.
Gamification Trends To Look Out For In 2023
Gamification continues to transform as new technologies emerge and set new trends.
Let’s have a look at new and emerging trends of Gamification.
Onboarding Procedure Transformation
As gamification was previously used to simplify the adjustment of new employees, it may become the main mechanic of adjustment in the near future. Considering that most companies have continued working remotely in the wake of the pandemic, this is especially true.
Onboarding through gamification is dramatically sped up, and some companies report an increase of up to 90%, and information is memorized and reproduced better.
Better Implementation in Healthcare
The use of Telemedicine market surpass USD 123 Billion by 2030. Gamification in healthcare apps and wearables can improve this engagement even further and can help patients significantly improve their health.
With gamification, more users will be interested in wearables and Health & Fitness Apps.
Improvements in AI Integrations
Improvements in AI Integration can provide users with a more personalized, curated, better gamification experience. As we have already seen, the use of AI in gamification in educational apps. Gamified educational programs can assess the level of the user and can adjust accordingly while focusing more on what the user needs to learn.
Gamification of Sale Process
This gamification is for the sales agent rather than for customers. Studies have shown that gamification can improve sales performance. The sales representatives will log in their behaviour and results in the gamified system, and they will get rewards for the same. For example, The sales representative will receive points for all the calls they attended in a single day.
You can set up the rewards based on the practice that you think is the best for your business. This way, the sales representatives will have more explicit goals to achieve, and they will be more motivated and competitive.
Conclusion – It’s Time To Gamify
Gamification is the ultimate hack to increase the engagement levels of your app. In fact, SAP found that gamification boosts engagement by one-third, with online commenting rising by 13%, social media sharing by 22%, and content discovery by 68%.
Gamification has already found its way into various industries, such as investment, healthcare, education, dating, etc., and it works because the human brain constantly seeks new challenges.
Have you Gamified your app yet?
Get your app Gamified with Capermint Technologies and increase the engagement rates, the number of installs, and the average duration period of your app.
