Imagine that you have been hitting your health goals for the week and sticking to your diet, and as you go to grab a drink, your fridge congratulates you. Or your lights send you a notification cheering you on for saving energy. Everyday technology will offer more integration and a personal touch in a world of ever-connected devices and gamification.
Gamification works by adding standard gaming concepts to non-gaming services and products. It includes things such as achievements, goals, challenges, and rewards. It is becoming an increasingly powerful way to interact with technology and can make mundane tasks more immersive.
A handful of industries have been leading the way in the world of gamification in recent years. One shining example is iGaming, which has been using gamification in casino bonus offers, as well as giving players benefits for reaching specific goals through loyalty schemes. Hippodrome is one online casino that uses gamification in features such as its roulette leaderboards and slot tournaments. There is also a loyalty program that gives players trackable progress towards better incentives through a points system.
But of course gamification lends itself to an industry already centred around gaming. Beyond that, there are many more less obvious industries which have seen the wisdom of gamification in modern times.
Everyday Tech, Now With Achievements
Gaming ideas are expanding past the frontier of video games and becoming part of smart home technology. Modern fridges, like the Samsung Family Hub or the LG MoodUP add smart features and connected thermostats, rewarding users with achievement badges if they are energy efficient. High-end models also have Android tablets built-in, allowing users to have alerts from fitness apps.
Those fitness apps are already showing up in fitness trackers, like FitBit or MyFitness Pal which use challenges, goals, and level-up achievements to help people chart their fitness journeys. You may get a virtual “well done” for meeting your calorie goals or sleeping the correct number of hours.
Payment Apps and Points
It’s not just lifestyle gadgets that are coming to life and want to tell you how well you’re doing. Payment apps are getting in on the gamification action too. In fact, the finance industry has been one of the leaders in gamification, using it to deliver loyalty points schemes, cashback rewards, and air miles.
Even so, the level of gamification in payment apps is evolving. Modern platforms now provide unique rewards for players if they meet saving goals, or maybe deposit a specific amount of money, or stick to saving commitments.
Gamified Shopping: VR and AR Take Center Stage
Future technology will leverage gamification in more immersive ways, so expect the advancement of virtual reality shopping to really lean into gamified services. VR and AR will eventually allow a full retail experience within a virtual or augmented world.
Imagine trying on clothes virtually, not just in 3D but as part of a game-like environment where you earn discounts for trying new styles or completing mini-challenges. Or walking through a virtual furniture showroom where exploring contemporary designs unlocks hidden offers.
Sounds like sci-fi, but major brands are already exploring AR integrations.
The Future: Fun as a Feature
As gamification continues its prominence in the connection between retailers, services, and people, technology will continue to shift towards it. People too increasingly want more interactive experiences instead of simple functional tech. It seems like the immediate future of tech is to become more immersive and playful.
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