Research in Gamification Theory and Factors of Success

Stefanie Hermann of Reutlingen University has recently completed a master’s thesis on gamification. She explores gamification theory and gains insight on gamification’s ability to be a motivation for action. Interviewing a number of industry experts, including Gabe Zichermann, Hermann discusses what factors these industry experts believe need to be true in order to use gamification successfully. Asking questions such as the efficacy of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations and whether social gameplay motivations are necessary, Hermann’s answers can be found in an extract of her research findings embedded below.

Increasing rigorous academic attention to gamification is a good sign, and Hermann joins a growing roster of academics exploring gamification topics through research, including Ethan Mollick at Wharton and BJ Fogg at Stanford.