Motivational theories in gamification design: a narrative review of constructs and game elements

Gamification applies game design elements outside games, and its effects on motivation range from positive to null or adverse. This narrative review examined which motivational theories have been used to explain and design gamification and how their constructs map onto game elements. Self-determination theory had the most explicit mapping: badges, leaderboards and performance graphs related to competence, and avatars, stories and teammates to relatedness, whereas autonomy was rarely affected. Goals and feedback were the most common elements in physical activity interventions, with modest gains. Flow was measured mainly by surveys, and personalization did not alter it in the one experiment located. Competition raised physical activity in two randomized trials, but rank, task and user orientation changed its motivational meaning. Extrinsic rewards undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation in a meta-analysis, although points and levels raised behavior in trials that paired them with goals. The theories converge on competence and feedback and diverge on extrinsic incentives. Transferability to Latin America remains untested.