UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

Gamification is the concept of using game design elements as a means of attracting users to a product, initially starting as a business decision. There are benefits to understanding what makes gamification work, as a motivated userbase would result in better products, even helping individuals manage themselves and their energy consumption. Research has been conducted to show a clear link between gamification and motivation, as well as implementations of the subject in sustainability and individual health monitoring. This review highlights what game design elements have primarily been used in gamification and its effects on motivation, which could allow developers to better understand the relationship between games and the user, as well as see what other elements of game design which can still be implemented.

Keywords: game design, gamification, motivation, autonomy