Gamification and the Trough of Disillusionment
Abstract
Consulting agencies predict a drop in the visibility of gamification as studies report more and more negative results. We re-evaluate studies with positive results from a recent literature review with regards to the effects of gamification reported therein. We find that most reviewed studies do not actually report net-positive results and discuss reasons as to why gamification seemingly fails to deliver. One major Potenzial reason identified is the variance in motivations to play games.
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Some scientific studies of gamification show that its effect on motivation or participation is lower than the expectations created by the hype.
“This controversy is reflected also in some scientific studies of gamification, which show that its effect on motivation or participation is lower than the expectations created by the hype (Broer, 2014).”
From Gamifying education: what is known, what is believed and what remains uncertain: a critical review (2017) · cites this paper as Broer, 2014
Cites
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Gamifying education: what is known, what is believed and what remains uncertain: a critical review
Dichev, C., & Dicheva, D. (2017) · International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education · doi:10.1186/s41239-017-0042-5 · Cited by 1,451 · see citing works
“This controversy is reflected also in some scientific studies of gamification, which show that its effect on motivation or participation is lower than the expectations created by the hype (Broer, 2014).”
- Authors
- Broer, J.
- Corresponding author
- Broer, Jan
- Venue
- Mensch & Computer 2014 - Workshopband
- Publisher
- OLDENBOURG WISSENSCHAFTSVERLAG
- Published
- 2014-08-15
- Pages
- 389-396
- OpenAlex
- W2176904007
- Cited by
- 13
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 3.55
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Games and Gamification
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Games and Media
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
- Keywords
- gamification, player motivation, game design, play motivation
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