R.I.S.E. Up Against Bad Gamification

Gamification gets a bad rap sometimes—and let’s be honest, it’s not undeserved. Overused leaderboards, pointless badges, and those “motivational” points that no one cares about have all contributed to the problem. But what if we could, quite literally, rise above all that? Enter R.I.S.E, a four-step approach to designing gamification that players actually want to engage with.

Relevance: Make it fit

Bad gamification often feels like sticking a plaster on a broken leg—sure, it’s there, but it’s not helping anyone. Gamification must align with the context, content, and audience. Throwing random points at users won’t fix a dull experience. Instead, ask yourself: does this enhance the experience or just tick a box?

Integrity: Respect the players

This one’s simple—don’t treat players like fools. Overly manipulative mechanics or thinly veiled cash grabs might work short term, but they destroy trust. Integrity means being honest with your players and creating systems that respect their time and intelligence.

Sympathy: Respect the content

We’ve all seen it—gamification slapped onto serious topics in a way that trivialises them. If the content is sensitive, or the tone is serious, your gamified elements should reflect that. It’s not about throwing fun at a problem; it’s about enhancing the content while respecting its purpose.

Empathy: Understand the players

Your audience isn’t a faceless blob of “users.” They’re individuals with needs, preferences, and boundaries. Take the time to understand who they are and design systems that resonate with them. Empathy means moving beyond “what do I want them to do?” and asking, “what do they need from this experience?”

RISE to the Challenge

Bad gamification is everywhere, but we don’t have to settle for it. By focusing on Relevance, Integrity, Sympathy, and Empathy, we can rise up and design experiences that players love—not just tolerate.

So, next time you’re tempted to slap points and badges onto something without thinking, stop. Ask yourself, “Does this RISE above bad design, or am I part of the problem?”

Rise up, my friends. The gamification rebellion has begun.