What is Gamification and why is it the marketing trend of today?
Consumers swipe ads away just as quickly as notifications. Gamification cuts through that ad blindness: instead of a banner you offer a short game moment that delivers fun, data and brand value.
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Definition & background
What is gamification?
Gamification is the application of game elements in a non-game context to stimulate desired behaviour. Think points, badges, rankings, progress bars or a digital wheel of fortune. By cleverly combining reward, competition and curiosity, you trigger micro-doses of dopamine that people voluntarily keep seeking and sharing.
- 2000 – 2010Pioneering phase: loyalty apps such as Nike+ and Foursquare introduce badges and levels.
- 2010 – 2018Mobile first: QR codes and mini-games migrate to every smartphone.
- 2019 – presentCookieless era: first-party data from interactive campaigns becomes gold. Specialists now deliver full-service trajectories.
Key benefits
| Trigger | What it does | Result for you |
|---|---|---|
| Interaction & engagement | Game length 10-30 sec on mobile | 5× longer brand interaction |
| Collecting first-party data | Email, profile, receipt in exchange for a chance to win | Legally clean data for CRM |
| Viral ambassadors | Winners share screenshots & challenge friends | Organic reach without extra media budget |
- Participation rate – how many visitors play?
- Conversion – percentage of players completing the desired action (opt-in, purchase).
- Repeat purchase / retention – purchase intent after the game.
Case – Spin to Win for a well-known beverage brand
QR code on packaging → one mobile spin → coupon in wallet.
44 % participation and 84 % repeat purchase intent (post-survey).
Use cases
On-pack QR + receipt upload = instant cashback.
Exit-intent wheel delivers extra opt-ins.
Scan badge, play quiz, download white paper.
Touchscreen kiosk gives instant discount.
Channels to connect
Technology & best practices
Mobile only (100 %)
Why important: every interaction requires a mobile number for follow-ups and verification.
How The Animator solves it: SMS and WhatsApp flow are built in.
Proof of purchase
Why important: essential for fair promotions.
How The Animator solves it: unique codes or receipt upload with AI validation.
GDPR & data ownership
Why important: secure storage of your own first-party data.
How The Animator solves it: encrypted storage + export to your stack.
🔒 Fraud prevention – four layers of security
- Strict user identification – limits on IBAN, email, phone & address + two-step verification.
- Smart receipt validation – AI checking prevents reuse of the same receipt.
- Fraud-detection database – live comparison with known patterns.
- Manual expert check – human verification for every registration.
SBJ’s solution – The Animator
Not a self-service SaaS tool where you just “click a wheel”. Every campaign is bespoke. You bring the creative idea; we make it feasible, secure and successful.
What The Animator does
- Strategy & concept advice – we refine your idea for feasibility, game flow and KPIs.
- Build & validation – design, code, hosting, testing, fraud prevention, receipt validation.
- Fulfilment & reporting – SEPA payments or prize logistics, realtime dashboard, post-campaign insights.
Average timeline 2 months rush: 1 month possible
Minimal risk; maximum brand integrity.
All metrics in realtime, export-ready.
One partner, no hidden costs.
