15 Powerful Gamification Examples from Popular Companies

Guest Contributor -

Gamification has been gaining huge momentum across the world and is spreading across various industries. More brands are opting for it because it has increased interactions with the customers and is capable of attracting more audiences.

Right from healthcare to lifestyle brands, gamification is everywhere. But what is gamification? Gamification refers to a marketing method brands use to generate more interactions and build a brand’s identity. It uses data-driven technologies to provide a better user experience, boost engagement and generate loyalty.

This blog covers various gamification examples to provide you an insight into how popular brands are implementing this to gather more customer insights and increase their sales.

15 Successful gamification examples from top brands

We present powerful gamification examples from popular companies and how they effectively leverage game mechanics to drive user engagement, retention, and loyalty.

From Nike to Starbucks, we showcase successful gamification strategies that can inspire businesses to enhance their own customer experience. Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or simply interested in the world of gamification, we have insights and inspiration to take your business to the next level.

1. L’Oreal Cosmetics

L'Oreal, the global beauty and cosmetics company, has used gamification in various ways to engage with customers and promote its products. Here are some gamification examples:

  • Makeup Genius app: L'Oreal created the Makeup Genius app, which uses augmented reality technology to allow users to try on makeup virtually. Users can upload a photo of themselves and then use the app to apply different makeup looks and products to their faces. This app gamifies the experience of trying on makeup, making it more fun and engaging.
  • Beauty Squad: L'Oreal's Beauty Squad is a loyalty program that rewards customers for engaging with the brand. Customers can earn points by completing activities like writing reviews, sharing products on social media, and attending events. The program gamifies the process of engaging with the brand, making it more rewarding and fun for customers.

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2. Duolingo

Duolingo, the popular language learning platform, is known for its effective use of gamification to engage users and make language learning more fun and engaging. Here are some examples of how Duolingo uses gamification:

  • Duolingo rewards users with points for completing lessons and practicing regularly. Users can also earn streaks for consecutive days of study. This gamifies the process of language learning by giving users tangible rewards for their efforts, and motivating them to study consistently.
  • Users can compete with friends and other learners on leaderboards, which rank users based on their progress and performance. This gamifies the learning experience by adding a social element and fostering friendly competition among users.
  • Users are awarded with badges and virtual rewards for completing certain achievements or milestones, such as finishing a course or reaching a certain level. This gamifies the learning experience by giving users a sense of accomplishment and motivating them to continue their language learning journey.
  • Duolingo offers immersive stories in different languages, where users can learn through interactive and engaging narratives. This gamifies the language learning experience by making it more enjoyable and interesting for users.

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3. FreshDesk

FreshDesk, the customer support and help desk software, uses gamification to motivate and engage customer service agents, and improve their performance. Here are some examples of how FreshDesk uses gamification:

  • FreshDesk awards agents with points for completing tasks and achieving goals, such as resolving tickets or answering customer queries. Agents can compete with each other on leaderboards, which display their rankings based on their points. This gamifies the process of customer service, motivating agents to perform well and improving their productivity.
  • They are also rewarded for completing certain milestones or achievements, such as resolving a difficult ticket or receiving positive feedback from a customer. This gamifies the customer service experience, giving agents a sense of accomplishment and recognition for their efforts.
  • FreshDesk offers quests and challenges to agents, which are designed to improve their skills and knowledge. These challenges can include quizzes, puzzles, or role-playing scenarios, and are gamified to make learning more engaging and interactive.
  • Agents can customize their avatars, which can be upgraded and improved as agents achieve certain goals or milestones. This gamifies the agent's personal development and creates a sense of ownership and investment in their own performance.

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4. T-Mobile

T-Mobile, the wireless communications company, has used gamification to engage customers and promote their products in various ways. Here are some examples of how T-Mobile uses gamification:

  • T-Mobile offers a loyalty program called T-Mobile Tuesdays, which rewards customers with discounts, freebies, and prizes every Tuesday. Customers can earn rewards by participating in challenges, such as completing a scavenger hunt or playing a game. This gamifies the loyalty program and creates a sense of excitement and anticipation among customers.
  • There is a Game Zone app by T-Mobile, which features a variety of games that customers can play for free. Customers can earn points and rewards by playing the games and participating in tournaments. This gamifies the customer experience and creates a more engaging and interactive way for customers to interact with the brand.
  • T-Mobile has a partnership with the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which hosts a variety of sports and entertainment events. T-Mobile offers customers exclusive perks, such as VIP seating and access to pre-show events, as well as opportunities to win prizes through various contests and challenges. This gamifies the experience of attending events and creates a more engaging and rewarding experience for customers.

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5. HP

HP has implemented gamification to promote its products and also provide some environmental friendly solutions as well.

  • HP has a rewards program that allows customers to earn points for purchasing HP products or completing certain actions, such as referring friends or writing product reviews. Customers can redeem their points for discounts, freebies, and other rewards. This gamifies the shopping experience and creates a more engaging and rewarding way for customers to interact with the brand.
  • HP Academy is a learning platform and it features online courses and certifications on various topics, such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and graphic design. Customers can earn badges and certifications by completing the courses and assessments, which are gamified to make learning more engaging and interactive.
  • It partnered with Sesame Street to offer a learning platform called Print Play & Learn, which features educational printables and games for children. The platform is gamified to make learning more engaging and fun for children, while also promoting HP's printers and ink.
  • HP offers a recycling program called HP Planet Partners, which encourages customers to recycle their used HP products and cartridges. Customers can earn rewards and discounts by participating in the program, which is gamified to make recycling more engaging and rewarding.

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6. eBay

eBay, a leading eCommerce company, has used gamification to the fullest to attract its customers. Here are some gamification examples from eBay:

  • eBay offers a rewards program called eBay Bucks, which allows users to earn points for purchasing items on the platform. Users can then redeem their points for discounts on future purchases. This gamifies the shopping experience and creates a more engaging and rewarding way for users to interact with the platform.
  • In the eBay app, users can create collections of items that they find interesting or inspiring. Other users can follow these collections, and users can earn badges for creating and curating popular collections. This gamifies the curation experience and creates a more engaging and interactive way for users to discover and share products.
  • eBay offers a selling service called eBay Valet, which allows users to send in their items and have eBay sell them on their behalf. Users can earn bonuses and discounts for participating in the program, which is gamified to make the selling experience more engaging and rewarding.

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7. Headspace

Headspace, the meditation and mindfulness app, has used gamification to engage users and encourage them to form healthy habits related to mental health and well-being. Here are some examples of how Headspace uses gamification:

  • Headspace encourages users to meditate every day by tracking their progress and rewarding them for consecutive days of meditation. Users can earn badges and other rewards for meditating consistently, which is gamified to create a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
  • Headspace offers a buddy system feature that allows users to connect with friends and family members to share their meditation progress and encourage each other. This gamifies the social aspect of meditation and creates a more engaging and interactive experience.
  • There are multiple short mindfulness exercises in Headspace that are designed as mini-games to make the practice of mindfulness more engaging and fun. For example, users may be asked to focus on their breathing or pay attention to their surroundings in a playful way.

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8. KFC

KFC has also gamified various activities to attract customers. Here are some of the examples of gamification of KFC:

  • KFC Japan launched a unique marketing campaign named Shrimp Attack. In this game, the user has to save KFC castle from the attack of Ebi shrimp.
  • KFC offers a loyalty program called Colonel's Club, which allows customers to earn rewards for making purchases at KFC restaurants. Customers can earn points for every purchase, which can then be redeemed for discounts, freebies, and other rewards. This gamifies the dining experience and creates a more engaging and rewarding way for customers to interact with the brand.
  • KFC has developed a virtual reality game that allows employees to train in a virtual KFC kitchen environment. The game is designed to teach employees how to prepare KFC products, and is gamified to make learning more engaging and interactive.

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9. Nike

Nike has incorporated gamification elements into its products and services in various ways. Here are some examples:

  • Nike's running app, Nike Run Club, uses gamification elements to motivate users to run more. The app includes personalized coaching, challenges, and rewards for hitting milestones and completing goals.
  • NikeFuel is a gamification system that tracks physical activity across all Nike products and services. Users earn points, or "NikeFuel," for activities like running, walking, and playing sports. The more NikeFuel you earn, the higher your level.
  • Nike Training Club is a fitness app that offers personalized workouts and training plans. The app includes gamification elements like challenges, rewards, and social sharing to motivate users to exercise more.
  • Nike's Run NYC program includes gamification elements like challenges, rewards, and social sharing to motivate runners to explore the city and connect with other runners.

You can check how NikeFuel has used gamification here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-78LFdp1pQ

10. Starbucks

Starbucks has implemented gamification to enhance customer loyalty. Here are some of the gamification examples by Starbucks:

  • Starbucks Rewards is a loyalty program that rewards customers with stars for purchases made at Starbucks. As customers accumulate stars, they can unlock rewards like free drinks, food items, and merchandise. The program also includes challenges and bonus opportunities to encourage customers to visit more often and make larger purchases.
  • Starbucks for Life is an annual holiday promotion that offers customers a chance to win prizes like free drinks and food for a year. Customers can earn game plays by making purchases or completing challenges in the Starbucks app or on the website.

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11. Samsung Nation

Samsung Nation was a gamification program launched by Samsung in 2012 to promote engagement with its products and services. The program was a loyalty program that rewarded customers for interacting with Samsung’s products and sharing their experiences on social media. Here are some of the key elements of the Samsung Nation gamification program:

  • Customers could earn points by completing various activities, such as registering products, writing reviews, and participating in challenges. Points could be redeemed for prizes such as gift cards and Samsung products.
  • Customers could progress through various levels based on their activity and engagement on the site. Higher levels unlocked more rewards and privileges.
  • Samsung Nation included various challenges and contests to incentivize customer engagement. For example, customers could participate in photo contests or share videos of their experiences with Samsung products.
  • Samsung Nation encouraged customers to share their experiences with Samsung products on social media. Customers could earn points for sharing on Facebook or Twitter and could also connect with other Samsung fans on the site.

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12. Molton Brown

Molton Brown is a luxury fragrance and body care brand that has incorporated gamification elements into its products and services. Here are some examples:

  • Molton Brown's Fragrance Finder is an online tool that helps customers find the perfect scent based on their preferences. Customers can answer a series of questions, and the Fragrance Finder will recommend fragrances that match their preferences.
  • Finding the right gift to give is not an easy process and this is where Molton Brown’s gift finder will come into picture. Customers can find the perfect gift for any occasion. Customers can answer a series of questions about the recipient's preferences, and the Gift Finder will recommend products that match their criteria.

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13. AccorHotels

Accor Hotels is a multinational hospitality company that has incorporated gamification elements into its products and services to create engaging experiences for its guests. Here are some examples of gamification:

  • Le Club AccorHotels is a loyalty program that rewards guests for staying at Accor Hotels. Members can earn points by booking rooms and making purchases at the hotel, and points can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, and other benefits. Members can also participate in challenges and promotions to earn bonus points and rewards.
  • AccorHotels Seeker is an online game that challenges players to find hidden hotel rooms in different cities around the world. Players can earn points for completing challenges and sharing their progress on social media.
  • AccorHotels has created virtual reality room tours that allow guests to experience hotel rooms before they book. Guests can use VR headsets or their mobile devices to explore rooms and view different features and amenities.
  • AccorLocal is a service that connects guests with local businesses and experiences. Guests can earn rewards by booking services like spa treatments, restaurant reservations, and local tours through the AccorLocal app.

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14. Microsoft

Microsoft has incorporated gamification elements in many of its products and services to create engaging experiences for its users. Here are some examples:

  • Microsoft Rewards is a loyalty program that rewards users for using Microsoft products and services. Users can earn points by using Microsoft Edge, Bing, and other Microsoft apps and services, and points can be redeemed for gift cards and other rewards.
  • Xbox Achievements are badges that users can earn by completing specific challenges and milestones in Xbox games. Achievements can be viewed on the user's profile and shared with friends.

15. Blue Wolf (IBM)

Blue Wolf is a consulting agency that specializes in digital transformation and has incorporated gamification elements into its services to create engaging experiences for its clients. Here are some examples:

  • Blue Wolf offers gamified workshops that use game mechanics such as points, badges, and leaderboards to create engaging learning experiences. These workshops are designed to help clients learn new skills and improve their performance.
  • It offers Salesforce adoption dashboards, which are designed to help clients adapt to use Salesforce. The dashboards use game-like elements, such as badges and leaderboards to encourage users to engage with the platform and complete specific actions.
  • Bluewolf’s goingsocial was intended to build a personal brand for their employees on social media. Employees were encouraged to post company-related content on various social media platforms and then these posts weretracked to analyze the reach. Employees who got more clicks, their reach were rewarded.

Wrapping it up

So, these are some of the gamification examples from popular companies out there. Gamification has been integrated into so many things already and has been proven an effective way to reach out to customers.