Gamification

Design game elements into a non-game context so they serve a real behavioral objective — not "add points and badges". The evidence says gamification works modestly and contextually: small effect sizes that shrink further under methodological rigor, and benefits that decay with novelty. So every mechanic must earn its place by mapping to a motivational need.

Two reference files, loaded on demand:

• mechanics.md — per-mechanic catalog: evidence, when to use, when it backfires.
• frameworks.md — the named frameworks (Octalysis, 6D, HEXAD, Hooked, RECIPE) and how they fit together.

Motivation core

Four load-bearing facts. Every design decision below leans on at least one.