Actionable Gamification

In this book author ‘Yu kai chou’ provides an ‘Octalysis’ framework’ to understand what makes a game fun and how you can apply the same to life.

Octalysis ‘framework’ is introduced at the very beginning of the book with-out much ado, and goes on explaining all 8 ‘core drives’ for the rest of the book.

What is significant about this book is the ‘actionable’ part of it. Each chapter provides examples and techniques that you can act on.

8 Core Drives of Octalysis framework

Core Drive 1: Epic Meaning & Calling

Why would anyone go to war risking life? Save the world?!, Save the Princess?!

When you believe you are doing something greater than yourself, larger than life purpose, That’s epic meaning and calling.

Core Drive 2: Development and Accomplishment

Do you remember going for a walk cause you don’t what to lose that streak? that’s internal drive to make progress and achieve.

Progress Bars, and Badges are an example of driving action.

Core Drive 3: Empowerment of Creativity & Feedback

When a game let’s you express your own creativity, it becomes limitless. Lego building blocks are great example of games with infinite possibilities

Core Drive 4: Ownership & Possession

if you ever walk into car showroom they will be quick to let you sit and experience the car and let you go on test drive. Remember mattress with extended 100 days trial?

Makes you feel you like you already own it and ready to make a purchase.

Core Drive 5: Social Influence & Relatedness

This doesn’t require much explanation, remember doing something cause your neighbor did something. Or buying something cause your friend recommended it?

Core Drive 6: Scarcity & Impatience

Limited edition products that are rare, exclusive or immediately unattainable are examples or scarcity.

Core Drive 7: Unpredictability and Curiosity

Every time you refresh your phone screen, you are driven by curiosity to see what happens next. Unexpected random rewards / posts are what drives the action.

Core Drive 8: Loss & Avoidance

Have you ever been stuck in a wrong career, and you don’t want to quit just because you have invested time and energy in your role and you don’t want to start from scratch again.

There is plenty of examples and game mechanics on how to implement these drives in your product or service.

Packs a lot of weight into ‘action’ & ‘framework’ true to its title. Worth your time and energy.