Online game design theories for interactive marketing : Gamification is not enough

Abstract: This research looks at how interactive marketing can become more motivating for customers by designing it as a full game, not only by adding some game elements like in gamification. The result of the research gives marketers an alternative and complementary way of incorporating game design in marketing.The theory builds on fundamental online game elements and player types, assembled into a model for analysis also useful as a planning tool. The research conducted a qualitative case study of the Volvo XC90 First Edition campaign which gave insight on how game theories can be applied for more engaging interactions. Through dialogue with team members and an overview of design artefacts it showed that when all elements reinforce each other for a certain mix of player types, not only one type, it creates dynamics that strongly motivates the audience to interact. The data also revealed that when any of the fundamental elements are missing the result will not be as engaging, which confirms what have already been found in earlier research.