In the past few years, we’ve witnessed gamification on the Internet reaching a whole new level. This particular concept has often been used in the online gaming industry. However, its influence spreads beyond casino sites. Gamification has entered various facets of betting mechanics and heavily influences web design and user engagement. In this article, we’ll explore how gamification and betting mechanics are influencing modern web design and user engagement.
The concept of gamification is deeply rooted in human behaviour. Most of us want to indulge in gaming, even more so when it’s motivated by rewards and challenges. These elements can also be incorporated into web design, effectively improving the experience.
What is Gamification?
Gamification is a process of integrating video game-like mechanics into non-game environments. Its goal is to motivate users and engage them. Some of the most popular gamification mechanics include points, challenges, badges, and rewards.
Most of these elements can be found in competitive video gaming – hence the name. In recent years, gamification has been mainly used at online casinos and sportsbooks. Placing a bet on any game or market is easier and more fun than ever. Gaming platforms want to take the user experience to a whole new level, which essentially translates to more playtime.
Gamification didn’t appear out of thin air. It was carefully researched by gaming platforms and it taps into basic human psychology. Most people are motivated by challenges and rewards. We’re all competitive by nature. Incorporating such elements into web design allows players to engage with content in a whole new way. As a result, they get an engaging and motivating experience, which sees them return.
The application of gamification even goes beyond game design. It has been used in internal organizational recruitment processes. Some companies apply it to rate employee performance and recognition. We’ll cover how it influences modern web design further below.
Gamification Appliances: Betting Mechanics Web Design
The process of gamification started over a decade ago. Foursquare and Nike+ first started the trend, establishing gamification as a bold way to drive user engagement. Back in 2012, iPods were still popular. With the help of a GPS sensor connected to it and the Nike+ iOS app, it gauged specific data such as pace, distance, and calories burned.
Foursquare introduced a reward system with badges. It awarded players with new badges and higher status levels when they visited places continuously. It later evolved into a partnership with Starbucks. The coffee chain’s app awards players with special statuses and badges, engaging them to visit the retail shops by checking in on Foursquare.
Over a decade later, we see how these elements make it into modern apps and web design. For example, Nike+’s gamification elements have been implemented into Apple Watch workouts. Tracking metrics is easier than ever, and rewards players with badges and achievements unlocked by pursuing their goals. In short, these engaging gamification mechanics are pushing people to work out more and care about their health.
How to Implement Gamification in Web Design
Since it’s a relatively new thing, implementing gamification in web design can be tricky. At least for the less experienced designers. But the good news is that the industry has set its sights on gamification, meaning there’s plenty of material available.
We’ll offer a few tips and tricks on how to create an engaging web experience that will hopefully lead to a larger audience for betting, influencing user engagement.
Setting Goals: Gamification Betting Mechanics Design
The first thing designers should focus on is the goal of the project. There’s a difference in gamified web design between casinos and, for example, food delivery apps. This is why it’s important to set the goals per the preferred target groups.
By setting goals, designers can outline the project more easily. Clear goals will essentially guide your decisions. More importantly, it will make sure that your efforts align with the objectives.
Choose the Right Game Mechanics Per Target Groups and Goals
Another important thing to consider is choosing the right game mechanics. Different mechanics work for different purposes. Badges, special points, and achievements can encourage frequent visits. This works for restaurants, gyms, and cafes. However, casino sites will require a different approach.
In order to encourage players to visit casino sites more often, they will need engaging mechanics. Ideally, something that will foster competition. This is why designers need to focus on their target group and set their goals and game mechanics accordingly for betting, influencing user engagement.
An Immersive and Engaging Experience
If you want an immersive and engaging experience, you’ll need to work hard to implement the game mechanics. They should be implemented seamlessly and work across a range of devices. The overall user interface should also support these mechanics without overwhelming the user.
People prefer intuitive web designs. Everything should be clear and easy to navigate. Support elements such as sidebars, progress bars, rewards, and even animations should be top-notch as well. Standing out from the crowd will see users coming back for more and motivate them to continue using the website.
Feedback and Rewards: Gamification Betting Mechanics Design
The whole point of gamification is getting feedback and offering rewards. For users to keep coming back, they need to feel and see progress. This is where the rewards come in. Depending on the website, the game mechanics may offer points, badges, levels, or something else.
As soon as the rewards are implemented, feedback for the product is guaranteed. With quick tweaks after recommendations, designers can gamify their products even more, keeping players engaged at the site.
Extensive Testing
Just like any feature, gamification is not a one-time thing. It requires constant testing and new iterations. Sites will need to see feedback from users to understand what works. They can then easily tweak the features to respond to user behaviour and engagement.
This means that constant and extensive testing is required. The final product needs to be polished. Half-baked gamification attempts won’t cut it. Users these days are looking for a solution that truly stands out. In the sea of gamified websites, that can be a bit hard. But with proper work and dedication, as well as extensive testing, designers can jump through any obstacle.
The post How Gamification and Betting Mechanics Are Influencing Modern Web Design and User Engagement appeared first on Visualmodo.
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