Removing Gamification: A Research Agenda

TL;DR

This paper reviews the limited existing research on the effects of removing gamification elements from systems, highlighting mixed outcomes and the need for further empirical and theoretical investigation.

Contribution

It provides a rapid review of the current state of research on gamification removal and proposes a research agenda to deepen understanding of its effects.

Findings

Mixed positive and negative effects observed

Insufficient reporting and methodological weaknesses

Limited measures and superficial interpretations

Abstract

The effect of removing gamification elements from interactive systems has been a long-standing question in gamification research. Early work and foundational theories raised concerns about the endurance of positive effects and the emergence of negative ones. Yet, nearly a decade later, no work to date has sought consensus on these matters. Here, I offer a rapid review on the state of the art and what is known about the impact of removing gamification. A small corpus of 8 papers published between 2012 and 2020 were found. Findings suggest a mix of positive and negative effects related to removing gamification. Significantly, insufficient reporting, methodological weaknesses, limited measures, and superficial interpretations of "negative" results prevent firm conclusions. I offer a research agenda towards better understanding the nature of gamification removal. I end with a call for empirical and theoretical work on illuminating the effects that may linger after systems are un-gamified.