How to get started

Start with the behavior and the motivation. Pick the mechanics after.

The most common beginner mistake is choosing points and badges first, then asking how to motivate people. Reverse that order.

A framework-neutral design process

Define the real objective. What user or business outcome are you after? More engagement is too vague. A usable objective is that learners complete the course and can apply it.
Identify the target behavior. What specific, observable action moves you toward that objective? Design for that action.
Understand your people and their motivation. Who are they, and what already drives or blocks them? This is where a motivation model helps.
Design the loops. What is the cycle of prompt, action, feedback, and progress? Make feedback immediate and progress visible.
Protect fun and autonomy. If the game layer feels like surveillance or coercion, it backfires. Give people meaningful choices.
Prototype small, measure, iterate. Ship the smallest version, watch real behavior, and adjust. Gamification is a design discipline, not a template you install.

Week 1, the concept: read one neutral overview (the Interaction Design Foundation gamification literature, or the Wikipedia article) so you know the vocabulary.
Weeks 2–3, one motivation model: pick Self-Determination Theory (SDT), The Octalysis Framework, or the Fogg Behavior Model (FBM) and go deep on one. Yu-kai Chou's write-up on yukaichou.com is a detailed free treatment of The Octalysis Framework. SDT's own site and Fogg's behaviormodel.org are the primary sources for those.
Week 4, one process: work through Werbach's Coursera course or the 6D chapters of For the Win.
Ongoing, study real examples: Duolingo, Strava, fitness and finance apps, enterprise tools. Break down what motivation each mechanic targets, and where it works or fails.

Full reading, course, and tool recommendations live on the Best resources page.

This page is part of the r/gamification community wiki.