How can we use gamification design to make users truly win?
2025.04.17

Have you ever taken part in a lucky draw, full of excitement, only to realize the prize was out of reach? The recently aired 315 Consumer Rights Day Gala exposed a company’s “deceptive spin-the-wheel” scheme—what appeared to be a free draw was actually filled with traps. Users were lured step by step, only to become victims of manipulation. This kind of fake gamification not only damages consumer trust but also erodes confidence in the entire industry.

 

Maybe you’ve fallen for similar tricks:

 

“Guaranteed win” draws that come with hidden conditions—after winning, you discover you need to pay shipping fees, complete a series of tasks, or worse, the prize can’t be redeemed at all.

 

Rigged probabilities that are outrageous—promised 100% win rates, yet the real grand prizes always feel “just out of reach.”

 

Fake users mingled with real ones—platforms inflate engagement with bots or “reward hunters,” letting them snatch up the actual rewards meant for genuine users.

 

At their core, these manipulative tactics treat user trust as a resource to exploit. While they may bring short-term traffic and revenue, they ultimately lead to collapsing brand trust and inevitable user loss.

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Two Paths: Exploitation vs. Value Creation

 

The original intent of gamification is to apply psychological and behavioral mechanics from games to non-game contexts, transforming them into product interactions and improving user retention. However, in practice, two very different paths have emerged:

  • Exploitative Gamification:
    False odds, tedious tasks—these designs have one goal: to induce users to spend money or watch ads, extracting short-term value. Once users realize the trick, trust in the brand collapses.
  • Value-Driven Gamification:
    Experience comes first, built on mutual benefit. Users gain real value while enjoying the fun of the game, which naturally builds long-term engagement. Platforms, in turn, benefit from sustained user activity. This win-win model is what gamification should truly be.

Authentic gamification isn’t a pile of gimmicks masquerading as a slot machine. Instead, it should be:

  • A User Value Amplifier: Turning interactions into enjoyable experiences.
  • A Bridge for Long-Termism: Connecting users and businesses through sustained engagement.

By engaging users with meaningful content, businesses can provide lasting value. The accumulated data becomes a valuable asset—improving engagement and conversion rates, and building emotional bonds between users and the brand. This is the foundation for sustainable growth and mutual success.

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Moxi Technology: Bringing Gamification Back to Its Core

 

As a leading gamification service provider in China, Moxi Technology firmly believes that the essence of gamification lies in creating fun. Through well-designed mechanics, we ensure both users and businesses benefit:

 

  • Real Odds, Transparent Rules:

All reward mechanisms are based on actual probabilities. Users can view draw histories and prize distribution anytime. No hidden conditions—what you see is what you get.

 

  • Fun Comes First, Rewards Are a Bonus:

We believe gameplay should be inherently enjoyable. Every product is designed to be engaging and moderately challenging, so users enjoy participating even without rewards.

 

  • Continuous Optimization, Balanced Challenge:

With real-time data feedback, we fine-tune difficulty and reward systems to ensure easy onboarding for new users and sufficient challenge for advanced ones, maintaining a healthy balance.

 

  • Smart Risk Control, No “Reward Hunters”:

Our monitoring and risk control systems ensure that real users receive the benefits they deserve, keeping participation fair for everyone.

 

For Businesses: Delivering Both Quality and Results

 

We offer more than just gamified products—we provide full-scale solutions that generate long-term value post-launch:

 

  • Revenue Sharing Model, Risk-Sharing:

Our innovative “revenue share” model means businesses only need to pay a small upfront fee. From planning to development to operations, we handle the full process. After launch, both parties share advertising and other revenue based on a pre-agreed ratio. This lowers the cost of experimentation while fostering long-term collaboration.

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Moxi Technology Revenue-Sharing Projects

 

  • Data-Driven Optimization:

Through real-time monitoring and behavioral analytics, we continuously refine the game experience. Whether in the onboarding, growth, or maturity stage, we provide tailored strategies to maximize user retention and engagement.

Relevant Systems

Integrated System Value

Real-Time Analytics

Operations teams can monitor user behavior trends to guide ongoing optimization

Enterprise Integration

Seamless account access, loyalty points systems, and shopping platforms

Rights Management System

Full automation of reward distribution, with no extra resources required for prize sourcing or logistics

Admin Backend

Key features like task configuration, campaign planning, and item distribution, greatly lowering the operation barrier

 

  • Comprehensive After-Sales Support:

From launch and content updates to performance reviews, we offer full-cycle support to ensure the product continues to deliver long-term value.

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Every Action Is Tracked and Guided

 

  • Effect Forecasting Model:

Gamification is often a "black box" for companies—how much value can it really bring? How do you measure success? We've developed a scientific ROI model based on key metrics like conversion rate, user activity, retention, and revenue. This allows businesses to clearly see the commercial value of gamification and make more confident investment decisions.

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ROI Prediction Model

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Be the “Wise One” for the Long Haul, Not Just a “Clever One” for Now

 

In an era where attention is scarce, short-sighted tricks may deliver brief wins, but only user-respecting, value-creating gamification will endure. We firmly believe that real gamification lets users actively participate and be rewarded through joy—not by burning their patience and trust with manipulative tactics.

Having served over 600 companies and reached over 100 million users, Moxi Technology will continue blending creativity and technology to deliver truly valuable gamified solutions—and experiences that are not only engaging but delightful.

Moxi Gamification Experiences:

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  • Image 1: Taobao Search – Beauty Garden
  • Image 2: Ele.me – “My” tab – Amusement Park
  • Image 3: Z Vision – Pull down on homepage to enter