Roblox and Minecraft have shown us that games can be created that never end and constantly evolve based on player inputs
As a digitalist, one of the joys of having children in the house is to gain an insight not only into the next generation of digital experiences, but also how the next generation of huumans will expect these experiences to operate and how incredibly well adapted they are becoming to navigate their complexity.
Rather than games that we play with fixed ends, watching how Gen Z interact with Minecraft and Roblox, it is becoming increasingly certain that the next generation of user experiences are game driven, never end and aren’t always ones we play . Of this new genre, the most exciting are not those experienced solely for entertainment but those which also include betterment. The educational, collaborative and skill building nature of Minecraft and Roblox are an obvious hint here as to how game driven applications will develop.
The great health problems of our time are a result of our own behaviours
The wellness (financial, physical, emotional etc) movement is transforming how we think about health. As public health systems fail to cope with the numbers and complexities of the population, the Wellness industry is transforming from a model where we go to a practitioner, therapist or advisor to get things fixed to systems that support positive behaviours and individual responsibility.
As this industry leans on digital as the primary interface, the experiences will increasingly feel like a game becuase they will be architected using game design and mechanics.
As Marc Andreesen of Netscape and a16z fame remarks in a recent podcast, applying game methods reveals transformative technologies and businesses that can support this change in ways that will endure through the development of incredibly expansive product roadmaps to do ambitious things in the decades ahead.
Research focused on people’s decision-making process around money reveals many blind spots that impact personal financial stability, and expose real opportunities for improved digital experiences architected with game. Like Minecraft and Roblox, these journeys are never ending as the player maps span demographics and geographies.
Moroku Odyssey exists as a game engine for digital financial experiences to be architected using game methods. The Moroku On Ramp design sprint provides the companion design system to assist with the evolution of the journeys.
“Spacebar to jump, WASD to move“
With more and more customers spending time within mobile games, adding game mechanics, elements and design patterns to banking experiences to make them more appealing, engaging, and fun, is on the rise.
Defining customer journeys within the construct of player maps makes engagement strategic and contextual. Aame mechanics placed within game design convert the boring financial task from distressing to-do list into an engaging activity where players get about their work within the construct of games, leagues, missions and challenges as they gain skills and level up.
Key areas to leverage these notions in the banking industry include:
Encourage savings: Savings is the easiest functions to gamify and perhaps the most important. Large segments of the population have no cash reserves for emergencies and live pay check to pay check. This represents the greatest area for financial institutions to help in regards to financial wellness . One can allow users to set savings targets and reward them to complete the goals and build savings habits
Encourage better financial management: Apps with financial limits and budgeting systems to assist users in developing personal financial plans, tracking spending, and adhering to a budget. Yet most of these are boring and provide no insight. So what if I spend 17% of my money on utilities? what’s the insight? What’s good? What’s bad? What’s better? There is much to improve in this area.
Increase financial literacy: Incorporation of content, podcasts and short videos that explain complex financial concepts in an engaging way at the right time in their journey
Paying off loans. Getting a loan is one thing, paying it off another, requiring discipline and systems to stay on top of it and get it done. There are many tricks that need to be incorporated and which are often daunting. Rewarding , recognising and nudging good behaviour and loyalty can be a win:win
Training and motivating teams: Learning can be made more meaningful by using real-life simulators with gamified design and mechanics
Managing insurance risk: Application of game design to shape user behaviour. Scores, bonuses, and other fun features help users follow insurance contract terms better
Promoting sustainability: Tracking sustainability impact of purchasing decisions at an individual and community level to support sustainability goals
Building community: Recognising that people aren’t alone but that we are operating together can overcome notions of loneliness and create a community feeling.
Embedding game dynamics and mechanics transforms financial services experiences from those oriented around convenenience to those oriented around wellness, taking customers on a journey of money to build engagement and loyalty.