Page 1
Gamification in Software
Engineering
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Hammerschall
University of Applied Sciences Munich
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
3/7/2016
About me
� Work experience as a software engineer at sd&m (now
Capgemini).
� PhD at Technical University Munich (TUM).
� Since 2009 at University of Applied Sciences in Munich.
� Teaching:
– Programming (in Java), Software Engineering, Requirements
Engineering
� Research:
– Requirements Elicitation, Process Models, Agile Software
Development …
2
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Page 2
3/7/2016
The question …
3
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Can we use gamification to improve the
software development process?
3/7/2016
Gamification in the Gartner hype cycle - is
the hype over?
4
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
http://edulearning2.blogspot.de
Page 3
3/7/2016
Topics
� What is gamification?
� Dynamics, mechanics and components
� Why gamification works
� The gamification process
5
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
3/7/2016
What is gamification and what is it for?
6
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
„The use of game elements and game-design techniques in non-
game contexts.“
[Werbach, 2012]
� Motivate behaviour change
� Motivate engagement
� Motivate learning processes
� Motivate problem solving (in teams)
Page 4
3/7/2016
Stack Overflow – ask, help … and get
recognized
7
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
http://stackoverflow.com/
ask, help, and win
badges as recognition
3/7/2016
Planning Poker – estimate user stories
8
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Find agreement about estimated
effort for user stories.
Game duration up to three
rounds per user story
Page 5
3/7/2016
The Quality Language Game – improve
application quality
9
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
http://www.tricode.nl/Updates/Blogs/the-early-adopters---gamifying-agile-series-46-bdetail
Find localization bugs in
Graphical User Interface
3/7/2016
Topics
� What is gamification?
� Dynamics, mechanics and components
� Why gamification works
� The gamification process
10
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Page 6
3/7/2016
Game elements - Dynamics
11
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Relationships …
Constraints NarrativeEmotions Progression
Components
Mechanics
Dynamics: large-scale objectives of the game
3/7/2016
Game elements - Mechanics
12
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Feedback Rewards
…
Resources Transactions
Turns Win States
Challenges CompetitionChance Cooperation
Dynamics
Components
Mechanics: basic processes to drive the game
Page 7
3/7/2016
Game Elements - Components
13
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Collections
Quests
Content
Unlocking
Virtual Goods
Points
Combat Gifting
Leaderboards
Teams
Levels
Social Graphs …
Achievements BadgesAvatars Boss Fights
Mechanics
Dynamics
Components: basic building blocks
3/7/2016
Game elements - EpicWin
14
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Collections QuestsContent
Unlocking
Virtual GoodsPointsLeaderboards Levels
Avatars
Components: basic building blocks
Feedback RewardsResources Chance
Mechanics: basic processes to drive the game
Relationships NarrativeEmotions Progression
Dynamics: large-scale objectives of the game
Page 8
3/7/2016
Game elements – Stack Overflow
15
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
PointsLeaderboards Levels Badges
Components: basic building blocks
Feedback Rewards
Mechanics: basic processes to drive the game
Constraints Progression
Dynamics: large-scale objectives of the game
3/7/2016
Game elements – Planning Poker
16
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
PointsCombat Teams
Components: basic building blocks
Feedback Turns
Mechanics: basic processes to drive the game
Constraints Relationships
Dynamics: large-scale objectives of the game
Cooperation
Page 9
3/7/2016
Game elements – Quality Language Game
17
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
AchievementsLevels Leaderboards
Components: basic building blocks
Rewards Chance
Mechanics: basic processes to drive the game
Progression Relationships
Dynamics: large-scale objectives of the game
Cooperation Competition
3/7/2016
Topics
� What is gamification?
� Dynamics, mechanics and components
� Why gamification works
� The gamification process
18
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Page 10
3/7/2016
Motivation – a driver for gamification
19
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Positive intrinsic motivation:
I really want to read this book.
Amotivation
I don‘t care about reading or not this book.
Positive extrinsic motivation:
I want to read the book, because I want to impress my friends.
Negative extrinsic motivation:
I have to read this book or I will fail class.
Negative intrinsic motivation:
I don‘t want to read this book.
Ga
mific
atio
n
he
lps
to
incre
ase
mo
tiva
tio
n
Desire
d
Behaviour
3/7/2016
Self-Determination Theory – a theory on
intrinsic motivation
� SDT: Human beings are
inherently proactive with a
strong desire to growth.
� Precondition is a feeling of
– Competence
– Autonomy
– Relatedness
� Intrinsic motivators!
20
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
[Ryan, 2000]
Competence: learning, self-
improving
Autonomy control, choice,
decisions
Relatednessinteraction, sharing,
social connections
Page 11
3/7/2016
Game elements as intrinsic motivators
21
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
� progression
� rewards, challenges,
feedback
� quests, points,
badges, levels
� free choice to enter the
game.
� free choice how to play
the game.
� different story lines
based on decisions.
� relationships
� competition,
cooperation
� leaderboards, teams
� sharing in social
networks
Relatednessinteraction, sharing,
social connections
Autonomy control, choice,
decisions
Competence: learning, self-
improving
3/7/2016
Back to my question …
22
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Can we use gamification to improve the
software development process?
Page 12
3/7/2016
… and a possible answer
� Whenever a high motivation would improve results and
the task that has to be done is not motivating by itself.
– find and validate the best requirements for your system.
– improve the quality of your artefacts (software / documentation).
– find in a team the best solution for a problem that cannot be
solved by automation.
– encourage team building and working in a team.
– share and improve knowledge in a team.
– …
23
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
3/7/2016
Topics
� What is gamification?
� Dynamics, mechanics and components
� Why gamification works
� The gamification process
24
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Page 13
3/7/2016
Things that good games do well
� Encourage problem solving
� Sustain interest from novice to expert to master
� break down challenges into manageable steps
� promote team work
� give players a sense of control
� personalize experience to each participant
� reduce fear of failure
� cultivate a confident and optimistic attitude
25
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
3/7/2016
Process to gamification [Werbach, 2012]
� Define your (Business) goals
� Delineate target behaviour
� Describe your players
� Devise your activity cycles
� Don‘t forget the fun
� Deploy the tools
26
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Motivation
Feedback
Action
Page 14
3/7/2016
A few thoughts on gamification
� Gamification is not only about points, badges and
leaderboards.
� Gamification can be a powerful instrument if properly
applied.
� Gamification can be discouraging if used in a wrong
way.
� Any game – even the best - gets boring after a while, if
there are no changes.
� Use game elements but don‘t talk about it!
27
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
3/7/2016
28
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Research into human motivation demonstrates that
people will feel motivated by well-designed game
features.
[Werbach, 2012]
Page 15
3/7/2016
A good start to learn more about
gamification…
29
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
3/7/2016
References
� [Werbach, 2012] Kevin Werbach, Dan Hunter: For the Win. How Game Thinking
Can Revolutionize your Business. Wharton digital press, 2012
� [Kapp, 2012] Karl M. Kapp: The Gamification of Learning and Instruction. Pfeiffer,
2012
� [Hohmann, 2006] Luke Hohmann, Innovation Games: Creating Breakthrough
Products Through Collaborative Play, Addison Wesley professional, 1 edition 2006.
� [Koster, 2013] Ralph Koster, A Theory of Fun for Game Design, O‘Reilly, second
edition, 2013.
� [Deterding, 2011] Deterding, S. et al., From game design elements to gamefulness.
In: Lugmayr, A., Franssila, H., Safran, C., Hammouda, I. (eds.) the 15th International
Academic MindTrek Conference, p. 9, 2011
� [Ryan, 2000] Richard M. Ryan, & Edward L. Deci, Self-Determination Theory and
the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being. In:
American Psychologist 55, 68–78. 2000
30
Department of Computer Science and Mathematics
Page 16
Thank you for your attention!