Serious games and gamification are both approaches that use elements of game design in non-game contexts, such as training.

Serious games are games that are specifically designed for a non-entertainment purpose, such as education, training, or social impact. Serious games can be used to teach a wide variety of subjects and skills, and can be particularly effective at engaging learners and making learning more interactive and fun.

Gamification is the use of game design elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, in non-game contexts to motivate and engage users. Gamification can be applied to a variety of settings, including education and training, to make tasks and activities more engaging and rewarding.

Both serious games and gamification can be effective at increasing learners' engagement and motivation, and can be useful tools for educators and trainers. However, it is important to carefully consider the goals of the learning program and the needs of the learners when deciding whether to use serious games or gamification, as these approaches may not be suitable for all types of learning and they are not in and of themselves one stop solutions. 

The benefits of using a game-based approach in business are:

1. Higher Engagement: Game-based learning can be highly engaging, which can make learning more effective and enjoyable for employees.

2. More Motivation: Gamification elements, such as points and badges, can motivate employees to complete learning tasks and compete with their colleagues.

3. Increased Collaboration: Game-based learning can facilitate collaboration and teamwork among employees.

4. Customisation: Game-based learning can be customised to meet the specific needs and learning styles of individual employees.

5. Practical application: Game-based learning can allow employees to practice and apply new skills in a simulated environment before using them in the real world.

6. Increased Retention: Game-based learning can help employees retain knowledge and skills over time.

7. Increased Accessibility: Game-based learning can be delivered online, making it accessible to employees regardless of their location.

8. Cost-effectiveness: Game-based learning can be more cost-effective than other forms of training, especially for tasks that are costly or logistically difficult to practice in the real world.

When it comes to considering a game based approach to your learning design there is a whole world of opportunities to explore. It’s true that there is a science to learning design but there is also an art to game design and while the benefits are easy to highlight the intricacies of how mechanics work together to achieve those benefits take deep subject matter expertise. 

Take a look at our case studies on difficult conversations and building understanding of supply chain.

If you are considering using serious games as part of your learning process talk to our design team and lets explore the art of the possible.