MOMENTUM+/ You're a UXer Gamifying Solutions
Schedule
Wed Oct 29 2025 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Manhattan | New York, NY
— Dave McDermott
About this Event
The Engagement Code: Hacking Motivation with Gamification
Remember the last time you tried to learn a new language? The dusty textbook, the forgotten flashcards, the waning motivation after just two weeks. It's a universal struggle. Yet, an app with a friendly green owl has convinced over 500 million people to practice daily, celebrate 'streaks' as if they were high scores, and feel a genuine sense of loss if they forget a lesson. How did Duolingo transform one of the most challenging personal goals into an addictive, game-like habit?
The answer isn't magic—it's strategic gamification. This lecture decodes the principles that make experiences like Duolingo so compelling. We'll move beyond the superficial layer of points and badges to uncover the core psychological drivers that turn passive users into active, enthusiastic participants. You will learn how to apply these powerful techniques to your own projects to solve tough problems, drive user behavior, and create products people truly love to use. 🎮
Learning Objectives
By the end of this LIVE session, attendees will be able to:
Define gamification accurately and distinguish it from simple reward programs.
Understand the key psychological principles, such as Self-Determination Theory, that make games so captivating.
Identify and strategically apply a toolkit of game mechanics like progression bars, challenges, narratives, and social feedback loops.
Utilize a structured framework, such as the Octalysis Framework, to systematically analyze and implement gamification in any project.1
Critically analyze real-world examples of successful and failed gamification to learn from their design choices.
Key Topics Covered
What Gamification Is (and What It Isn't): We'll debunk common myths and establish a clear definition focused on leveraging intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to solve real problems.
The Psychology of Play: A look into the core human drives for mastery, autonomy, and purpose that games tap into so effectively.
The Gamification Toolkit: A deep dive into specific mechanics and elements you can use, including:
Points, Badges, and Leaderboards (PBLs)
Challenges and Quests
Narrative and Storytelling
Onboarding and Scaffolding
Feedback and Reward Schedules
Designing for Motivation: We will introduce and apply a practical design framework to guide the process of integrating game mechanics into a solution.
Case Studies in Action: We'll break down the success of apps like Duolingo (language learning), Nike Run Club (fitness), and Habitica (productivity) to understand how their gamified systems drive engagement. We will also look at examples where gamification fell short and why.
Ethics and Pitfalls: A crucial discussion on the potential for manipulation and how to design ethically to empower users rather than exploit them.
Who Should Attend?
This lecture is ideal for UX/UI designers, product managers, software developers, marketers, educators,and anyone involved in creating products, services, or internal processes who wants to dramatically increase user engagement and motivation.
Prerequisites: No prior experience in game design is required. A general interest in user experience, behavioral psychology, or product design is recommended.
Happy learning!
Where is it happening?
Manhattan, ., New York, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 66.66 to USD 77.77
