Frameworks and models compared

There is no single correct gamification framework. Different models solve different problems, and experienced designers borrow from several.

Some frameworks explain motivation (why people act). Some describe player types (who you are designing for). Some lay out a design process (how to build). Below are the models you will see referenced most often, grouped by what they are for. They are listed in rough order of origin, not preference.

Motivation and psychology models

Self-Determination Theory (SDT): Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, psychology, 1980s onward. Not a gamification framework by itself, but the research base under most of them. SDT holds that intrinsic motivation grows when three needs are met: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Nearly every serious framework traces back to it. Primary source: selfdeterminationtheory.org.
Fogg Behavior Model (FBM): B.J. Fogg, Stanford, 2009. A behavior happens when Motivation, Ability, and a Prompt converge at the same moment (B=MAP). Used for designing triggers and reducing friction. Primary source: behaviormodel.org; Fogg's book Tiny Habits.
The Octalysis Framework: Yu-kai Chou, 2012–2015. Organizes human motivation into eight Core Drives: Core Drive 1 (CD1): Epic Meaning & Calling; Core Drive 2 (CD2): Development & Accomplishment; Core Drive 3 (CD3): Empowerment of Creativity & Feedback; Core Drive 4 (CD4): Ownership & Possession; Core Drive 5 (CD5): Social Influence & Relatedness; Core Drive 6 (CD6): Scarcity & Impatience; Core Drive 7 (CD7): Unpredictability & Curiosity; Core Drive 8 (CD8): Loss & Avoidance. It also distinguishes White Hat (empowering) from Black Hat (urgency and pressure) motivation. Known for depth on why mechanics work, and for treating manipulation as a design problem. Primary source: Chou's book Actionable Gamification and yukaichou.com.
RAMP (Relatedness, Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose): a simpler intrinsic-motivation model popularized by Andrzej Marczewski, drawing on SDT and Dan Pink's Drive. A lighter on-ramp before heavier frameworks.

Player / user type models

Bartle's Player Types: Richard Bartle, 1996, originally for multiplayer games: Achievers, Explorers, Socialisers, Killers. Foundational. Built for games, so apply it to non-game contexts with care.
Marczewski's Hexad: Andrzej Marczewski, around 2015. Six user types tuned for gamification: Philanthropists, Socialisers, Free Spirits, Achievers, Players, Disruptors. Has a free test and a growing research base. Primary source: gamified.uk.

Design-process frameworks

Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics (MDA): Hunicke, LeBlanc, and Zubek, 2004. Separates what the designer builds (mechanics), how the system behaves in play (dynamics), and the emotional experience (aesthetics). Gamification designers borrow it heavily.
Werbach and Hunter's 6D: Kevin Werbach (Wharton) and Dan Hunter, from For the Win. A six-step design process: Define objectives, Delineate target behaviors, Describe players, Devise activity loops, Don't forget the fun, Deploy tools. Pairs well with the Coursera course Werbach teaches.
Points, badges, and leaderboards (PBL): the default mechanic set, not a strategy. Useful shorthand. Most of the field treats it as starter vocabulary.

Quick comparison

Model	Author(s)	Type	Best used for
Self-Determination Theory	Deci & Ryan	Motivation (research base)	Understanding intrinsic motivation
Fogg Behavior Model	B.J. Fogg	Behavior trigger	Designing prompts, reducing friction
The Octalysis Framework	Yu-kai Chou	Motivation (8 Core Drives)	Why mechanics work; White Hat / Black Hat ethics
RAMP	Marczewski (after Pink / SDT)	Motivation (simple)	Beginners; intrinsic-first design
Bartle Player Types	Richard Bartle	Player types	Multiplayer and game audiences
Hexad	Andrzej Marczewski	User types	Segmenting gamification audiences
MDA	Hunicke, LeBlanc, Zubek	Design process	Game-design reasoning
6D	Werbach & Hunter	Design process	Structured business projects
PBL	(general)	Mechanic set	Basic vocabulary; simple feedback

Most practitioners combine a motivation model (SDT, The Octalysis Framework, or Fogg) with a process (6D or MDA). If the audience is segmented, they add a user-type model (Hexad). Pick the one that matches the problem and the reading appetite. "Which framework is best" threads are common here and rarely have a universal answer.

This page is part of the r/gamification community wiki. No framework is the house model of this subreddit.