Play to learn: Gamification teaches us that motivation and engagement are multidimensional, just like video games. — 123rf.com
Seen as a silver bullet to enhance engagement, motivation and performance, gamification, or the use of video game mechanics such as points, badges and leaderboards (PBL) in a non-game context, is a buzzword in education.
Gamification is best explored through two key approaches – vertical and horizontal, but what can game-inspired systems really teach us about education? The answer lies in understanding the nature and history of video games, and how our application of gamified systems, or game design mechanics, must evolve with the times.
Temporary boost
Inspired by early video game arcades, the vertical approach is often referred to as a rewards-based approach based on extrinsic motivational methods. In education, this translates to PBL systems designed to encourage learners to participate in class or to keep learning.
This approach, however, assumes that mere reward-based mechanisms are enough to sustain interest and performance when the reality is that these systems often only provide a temporary boost in interest and engagement but fall short in creating a meaningful, long-term impact.
The same concept applies in the commercial world of video games. Not every video game becomes a blockbuster hit – similarly, not every gamified approach creates an inspiring learning experience.
At best, the novelty wears off, and learners may end up grinding through the system without genuine motivation. At worst, the gamification experience becomes a cringe-worthy distraction, turning learners away from the entire experience.
It is worth noting that the vertical gamified approach may have limited impact on learners who are already intrinsically motivated to begin with, for example, high-performing learners who are naturally focused on achieving good grades.
For these learners, the presence of PBL does very little to enhance their learning drive as their motivation is already anchored in personal achievement, mastery and even future aspirations.
Intrinsic motivation
So, for high-performing students, the horizontal gamified approach, which introduces social, competitive and comparative elements, might prove to be more effective.
Modern video games have evolved far beyond high scores. Today’s players are driven by socio-competitive elements such as peer comparison, and competitive and collaborative gameplay.
In many successful games, it is not just the game mechanics and stunning graphics that keep players coming back; it is the community.
Minecraft and Roblox are proof that a game does not have to have ultra-fancy graphics to garner massive audiences. The draw lies in game experiences such as gaining an ultra-rare object, working together towards a shared goal, or teaming up to pull off a hilarious in-game stunt.
This gamified approach taps into intrinsic motivational goals – the desire for relatedness, competence and autonomy. This approach is not about collecting points and badges, nor is it about climbing the ranks of the leaderboard. It is about a sense of belonging, social relevance and social comparison.
Sense of belonging
Herein lies the lesson for educators of today: The most successful learning environment is one where a sense of community is prevalent, where one fosters healthy social comparison and empowers the learners to feel not only competence but connection as well.
Classrooms should feel less like video game arcades and more like guilds and alliances, where the participants engage not merely for rewards but for a shared sense of achievement, purpose and connection.
Gamification teaches us that motivation and engagement are multidimensional, just like video games. True engagement comes not from dangling a carrot, but from creating experiences where learners feel they matter, where they see progress, connect with peers, and find meaning in the process.
Education, like the principles of game design, is part art and part science. It requires the designer to keep iterating, balance empathy and goals, and ultimately have a deep understanding of what makes players tick. Perhaps that is the most powerful lesson that gamification has to offer.
With over 25 years of experience across the creative content and game development sectors, Assoc Prof Dr Tan Chin Ike is a pioneer in Malaysia’s game development education. The Computing School head at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is credited with establishing one of the country’s first dedicated game development programmes. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
