Is Gamification Still Working For Adults?

Gamification in learning, adding game-like elements such as points, badges, levels, leaderboards, and challenges, has been a hot topic for years.  In theory, it taps into motivation, feedback loops, competition, and fun. But when it comes to adult learners, does it still hold up?

Let’s break down some of the core elements of gamification:

• Points / Experience (XP): You earn “credits” for doing tasks.

• Badges/Achievements: Visible rewards for milestones.

• Levels/Progression: A sense of moving upward or unlocking new stages.

• Challenges/Quests/Missions: Tasks framed like game scenarios.

• Feedback/Immediate Rewards: Letting you know you succeeded, often instantly.

• Competition / Leaderboards / Social Comparison: See how you stack up against others.

• Storytelling & Narrative: Framing learning as a journey or quest.
  Research finds many gamified learning initiatives use points, badges, levels, feedback, and challenges especially.  

These mechanics can boost engagement, at least initially. For example, gamification has been shown to yield small to moderate positive effects on adult learners’ cognitive, motivational, and behavioral outcomes in workplace training. 

But … my experience

Here’s where I get personal: I’ve seen gamification around me, like in my apartment complex (earn BILT points when you pay rent on time, leave reviews, and scan receipts at restaurants). I’ve worked for Amazon Flex, where they offer badges and levels for deliveries. And yet, I don’t play. I don’t chase the badges. I don’t care about the leaderboard.

Why? Because the novelty wears off. Because the “game” feels forced or irrelevant. Because the intrinsic motivation is missing.

When I’m learning something, I don’t care so much about coins and levels.  I care about relevance, clarity, and mastery. Gamification might look like fun, but if it doesn’t align with my own internal reasons (why I’m doing this) and I don’t feel real value, it’s just noise.

Research supports this: gamification’s effect often drops off over time. One problem is the novelty effect, learners are excited at first, but after a while the excitement fades, and the same mechanics no longer motivate.  Also, poorly designed gamification (bad matches of game elements to learners, irrelevant rewards, too much focus on external incentives) may even backfire or produce minimal results.

So … is gamification fizzling out?  What’s next?

I think the answer is not completely, but it needs to be rethought, especially for adult learners. That means:

• Focus less on points for points’ sake and more on meaningful progress. Adults ask, “Why does this matter to me?”

• Use micro-learning and bite-sized, context-relevant modules so learning fits into busy lives and holds attention.

• Prioritize intrinsic motivation: learners need to feel autonomy (“I choose this”), mastery (“I’m getting better”), and purpose (“This matters”), which are features of self-determination theory.

• Personalize the experience: tailor challenges and paths according to learner needs, goals, and contexts (rather than one-size-fits-all badges).

• Make game elements subtle and integrated rather than dominant. A badge is less important than meaningful feedback and real application.

• Use research-based instructional strategies: scaffolding difficult content, story-based scenarios, spaced practice, and peer collaboration, the fundamentals of adult learning.

• Recognize that many adult learners don’t want “childish” game mechanics; they want credentials, relevance, and real benefit.

In short: gamification alone doesn’t move me (and maybe it doesn’t move you either). What moves me is intrinsic motivation, clear value, and a system that respects my time, intelligence, and goals. If I believe it will help me, I’ll do it even if there’s no badge.

My takeaway for you (and me)

If you’re designing learning for adults: yes, feel free to use gamification, but don’t rely on it. Use game elements selectively. More importantly, ask: What is my learner’s goal? What will keep them coming back after the shiny coin loses its sparkle? If you design for real purpose, real progress, and real relevance, you’ll win. The badge might help. But the story, the meaning, is what sticks.