The Role of Gamification in Modern UX Design: Trends and Examples

Quick Summary: Are you looking for the top trends in gamification of modern UX design? Or just want to learn from the best examples, how did they successfully implement the gamification into their existing design? You're exactly where you need to be. We have provided a detailed blog about gamification of UX design. The blog contains challenges, trends and examples. Let's explore.

Gamification is a rapidly growing industry in all sectors. The reason is that it makes everything fun and motivates users to do a task. According to Statista's 2021 report, the gamification industry grew by 4.91 billion US dollars in the time period of 2016-2021. It benefited the companies who implemented it into their UX design process. But what is Gamification of Modern UX design? This is going to be our first topic of discussion.

What is Gamification?

We all have played video games at some point in our lives and we know how captivating they can be.Similarly, evolving the modern UX design to make it engaging and captivating with the help of game-inspired design is what we call gamification. It is a growing trend in the design industry. However, you must go for minimalist UI design, to have the best results of gamification.

As per Global News Wire, companies who implemented gamification in their UX design saw a compound annual growth rate of 25.3%. And also according to multiple reports online, gamification can also increase customer acquisition rates up to 700%. Let’s hop on to some other facts about gamification’s importance in UI/UX design.

Why is Gamification Important in UI/UX Design?

In today’s world almost everyone is a game consumer no matter if it is a mobile or pc games. That’s the reason games are so successful. Implementing the same method in UX design can boost customer acquisition and retention rates. It is a great technique that UX designers use to please their audience.

Another reason why gamification is important is that it boosts engagement by attracting the new customers and retaining the existing ones. It helps businesses to build a loyal customer base. As per online reports businesses who gamified UX their design got brand awareness increased by 15%.

What are the Main Challenges of Gamification in UX Design?

The path to success is paved with obstacles. And so does the path to gamification of UX design. Gamification is surely a key to brand building, but one kind of key can’t open all the locks. One type of gamification being successful at one interface might become a failure for another interface. And also poorly designed gamification will drive users away. Here are major challenges UX designers face while gamification of UX designs.

Privacy concerns

Privacy concerns are the biggest challenge in the e-world. Gamification requires data collection of users so that designers can make it more and more user centric. However with great data comes great privacy concerns. Designers need to make sure they implement ethical practices and keep the process transparent.

Diverse user preferences

Different strokes for different folks. Not all users will like the same way of gamification whether it is rewards, interfaces or any other factor. Everyone has different preferences, expectations and motivations if you fulfill any of these, you will be able to retain users. However doing it will require extensive user research which makes it challenging.

Manipulation

One of the biggest pitfalls in gamification. Your gamification must motivate users to complete the target instead of manipulating into doing that. Manipulating users will raise questions about the ethics of the design and might draw away the potential users. It will also leave a bad impression about the product. To avoid all such challenges you must choose the best UX design services.

Top Trends in The Gamification of Modern UX Design

Gamification is a part of new UI/UX design trends. Sometimes gamification is not enough, you also have to follow the latest or biggest trends in it to have the best results. These trends help your UX design get adopted by users quickly. Always remember users are attracted towards trends doesn’t matter if its clothing industry or UX design. Here are some top trends in gamification of Modern UX design.

Rewards

Rewards has been the biggest trend in gamification of UX designs. Everyone likes a reward. It motivates users to interact with websites or apps and complete their tasks. You can give badges, points, app coins or even level ups as rewards. Rewards increase engagement, improve retention, change behaviour and enhance satisfaction.

Personalization

The best thing about personalization is that it's not a new trend or topic in UX design. It is the core component of any website or app. Personalization as a trend of gamification is a real blessing to both users and business. According to Statista’s survey, 64% of responders would buy from a company who personalizes their user journey.

Gamified Onboarding

Imagine getting rewards like badges, coupons, etc. for just entering your workplace and maintaining a streak. Feeling motivated? You can do the same to your UX design. Include game elements like badges, points, or progress bars to keep users motivated. It will make users login into your app or website. This is how gamification increases user engagement.

Storytelling & Emotional Connection

Storytelling is an art. If you master it you master the gamification of UX designs. As we know, the best way to keep anyone engaged is to tell them a story. It forms an emotional connection with the users. These emotional connections will make users loyal to your brand, reducing churn rates.

Best Examples of Gamification in Modern UX Design

Duolingo

Duolingo is a language learning app, it helps users learn new languages in a fun way. It’s the best example of gamification in Modern UX design. The rewarding is unique where you set a learning goal which gives your rewards as you complete tasks. It also provides in-app currencies to keep the users motivated.

Fitbit

Fitbit is another great example of gamification of UX design. It is a fitness app and activity-tracking device that encourages competitive spirit among its users. You can compete with other users or your friends and get rewards such as badges and more. It also promotes social sharing allowing you to share your achievements on social media or with other users.

Starbucks

You might be wondering what a coffeehouse company is doing in the list. Starbucks is another great example of gamification. It uses a gamified loyalty program allowing customers to earn stars for purchases. The app also provides in-app payment method and occasional challenges for extra stars. Customers can redeem stars for free drinks.

KFC

What KFC did on its website is a literal example of gamification. Here they collaborated with a gaming console company - Nintendo to make a game called “Shrimp Attack”. Users have to slice down the shrimps attacking the castle to earn rewards. The game registrations increased by 22% and the overall sales went up by 106%.

M&M

The famous chocolate, M&M is now also implementing gamification. It shows how much impactful gamification is. M&M used gamification to launch their new pretzel flavoured chocolate with the help of a game called “M&M’s eye spy pretzel”. Here users have to find pretzel flavoured candy. It increased sales of M&Ms.

Conclusion

With the best examples discussed, you now know everything about gamification of UX design. You know the trends that will help you overcome the major challenges. Now, you might be questioning how to do it or who can help in it? No need to worry, we got answers to that question too. It's the experts at TheFinch Design. We have gamification experts with valuable experience of gamifying UX designs who use the best AI Tools for UX Designers. With us your brand won’t only grow, but will also leave a mark on your audience. Contact us for more details. Fasten your seat belts for a whole new journey.