Video Games: Design Lessons Beyond High Scores
- Lee Schuneman, Chief product Officer at Efekta Education Group and veteran game designer, argues that true engagement in learning, like in gaming, requires sustained effort and motivation beyond...
- "Gamification" has become a prevalent strategy in various industries, including education, aiming to boost user engagement by incorporating elements commonly found in video games - points, leaderboards, and...
- Schuneman argues that focusing solely on "high score streaks" and similar mechanics may be effective for certain social media platforms,but fall short when the primary goal is learning.
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Beyond Points and Badges: A Game Designer’s Critique of Gamification in Education
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Lee Schuneman, Chief product Officer at Efekta Education Group and veteran game designer, argues that true engagement in learning, like in gaming, requires sustained effort and motivation beyond superficial gamification techniques.
Last updated: December 3, 2025, 07:20:52 PST
The Limits of “Gamification”
“Gamification” has become a prevalent strategy in various industries, including education, aiming to boost user engagement by incorporating elements commonly found in video games – points, leaderboards, and streaks.Though, Lee Schuneman, Chief product Officer at edtech firm Efekta Education Group, cautions against a superficial application of these techniques. He presented his views at Fortune’s Brainstorm Design conference in Macau on November 28, 2023.
Schuneman argues that focusing solely on “high score streaks” and similar mechanics may be effective for certain social media platforms,but fall short when the primary goal is learning. He emphasized that genuine learning necessitates dedicated time and effort, something that superficial gamification doesn’t necessarily foster.
A Veteran Game Designer’s Perspective
Schuneman’s critique stems from his extensive experience in the video game industry. Before joining Efekta education Group, he spent years at UK-based video game studio Rare, contributing to the growth of popular titles such as Diddy Kong Racing (1997) and Star Fox Adventure (2002). His background provides him with a nuanced understanding of what truly drives engagement in interactive experiences.
The Core of Engagement: Sustained Motivation
Schuneman’s central argument isn’t a rejection of game design principles altogether, but rather a call for a more thoughtful and integrated approach. He believes the key lies in understanding how game design keeps players immersed and motivated over extended periods.This isn’t about simply rewarding actions with points; it’s about creating a compelling experience that encourages sustained effort and a desire to learn.
“The key is to keep you in the learning experience-the same as keeping you in a gaming experience-and find ways to keep you motivated as a student,” Schuneman stated at the conference. He is currently exploring methods to apply these principles to educational settings, aiming to create learning environments that are intrinsically motivating and engaging.
Beyond Gamification: Game design Principles for Education
While the term “gamification” frequently enough implies adding game-like elements to non-game contexts, a more effective approach involves leveraging core game design principles