A User-Centered Theoretical Framework for Meaningful Gamification

TLDR

Gamification applies game design elements to non‑game contexts, often equating activities to points and external rewards, but this can undermine users’ intrinsic motivation; providing meaningful information can instead enhance internal motivation. The study proposes a user‑centered framework for meaningful gamification, integrating organismic integration theory, situational relevance, situated motivational affordance, universal design for learning, and player‑generated content. The framework is constructed by examining and synthesizing these theories into a coherent model.

Abstract

Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts (Deterding et al, 2011, p.1). A frequently used model for gamification is to equate an activity in the non-game context with points and have external rewards for reaching specified point thresholds. One significant problem with this model of gamification is that it can reduce the internal motivation that the user has for the activity, as it replaces internal motivation with external motivation. If, however, the game design elements can be made meaningful to the user through information, then internal motivation can be improved as there is less need to emphasize external rewards. This paper introduces the concept of meaningful gamification through a user-centered exploration of theories behind organismic integration theory, situational relevance, situated motivational affordance, universal design for learning, and player-generated content.