The last decade saw bingo make a total comeback, as what was once a game reserved for the elderly in dusty community halls is now popular enough to be enjoyed by all. Part of this renaissance is thanks to online bingo sites, which made the game far more accessible than ever before. Online bingo is also more engaging, thanks to what is known as gamification. You might have such features at the best bingo sites, but do you know what they actually involve? If not then join us as we’re going to explain all about gamification and how it makes for more engaging and fun bingo sessions!
What is Gamification?
Before we get into the topic of gamification in bingo we should define what “gamification” actually is. In short, gamification is the integration of elements from digital games into either non-game platforms or traditional games such as bingo. Think points, levels, challenges, rewards, and social features, elements you’ll probably recognise from your favourite bingo sites.
The idea of gamification is simple - human beings love receiving rewards, so adding them into everyday life makes certain tasks and games more enjoyable. This is why you’ll find badges in fitness apps or points that feed into tiered rewards in store loyalty schemes. The same goes for bingo, and online platforms use gamification in particularly creative ways to make for even more enjoyable and engaging experiences.
Why Add Gamification to Bingo?
Why Add Gamification to Bingo
Does bingo need additional gamified features? Some people would argue that this is not the case. After all, bingo is already a social game where players compete against each other while having a good time chatting and celebrating each others’ victories. This is what made the game such a hit in community halls over the decades, after all.
However things are a bit different online, where the situation is less social, even with the addition of chat rooms. Here gamification features, while not necessary, make welcome additions that help bring more life to the virtual bingo hall. These include progression features where players compete against each other, rewards that add satisfaction and boost engagement, leaderboards, chat-based challenges, and minigames that keep things fun between sessions. Let’s go through all of these next.
The Gamification Features Found in Online Bingo Sites
We’ve already mentioned the more popular gamification features you can find at any bingo site worth its salt, so now it’s time to take a closer look at them. Which ones are your favourite?
Points and Rewards Systems
Reward systems are ubiquitous in our daily lives. Your supermarket has one, your mobile phone carrier probably has one, and so does your bingo site of choice. Through these systems you can get points in a variety of ways, which in the case of bingo includes logging in, playing certain games, or participation in chat. Points earned can typically be used in a rewards shop, which depending on the site will allow you to buy free tickets, bonuses, or even merchandise.
Levels and Progression
Some bingo sites tie the points mentioned above to a progression system. This is a very videogame-inspired addition where you make your way up the tiers the more points you get, the way characters level up in a role playing game. You might start at either level 1 or at a low tier such as bronze, and as you make your way up you unlock new bonuses. This makes for an engaging long-term feature, as one will be looking at what they can unlock at a higher level and working towards that goal.
Badges and Achievements
Let’s admit it, we enjoy receiving small presents that let us show off how we managed to achieve a certain goal. Online bingo platforms know this, which is why they add achievement systems. These typically consist of badges that are added to your profile page for reaching specific milestones such as playing 100 games, managing to get a Full House, or winning with a specific pattern for a set number of times.
Leaderboards and Competitions
We all want to prove that we’re the very best, which is where leaderboards come into play. Combined with competitions these encourage players to show what they are truly all about by managing to get their name to the top. You didn’t manage? Then you can always wait for the next competition or event and try again for a chance to get in the spotlight. In addition, getting on the top of the leaderboard means receiving some form of reward such as free games or even a cash prize.
Mini Games and Side Quests
Some online bingo platforms allow you to break up the time between sessions by playing minigames. These are simple games that can consist of things like spinning a wheel, scratching a ticket, or an interactive challenge linked to your current bingo room. They are a great way to potentially win a small reward, not to mention a subject to chat about with your fellow players.
Social Engagement and Chat Games
Live chat was one of the first additions to online bingo, and it’s not difficult to see why. Bingo is an inherently social game, and removing that element essentially kills the experience. Thanks to the internet the social aspect can get even more engaging with hosts that add mini competitions to a bingo session through the chat. These can consist of trivia questions or quick-fire games that add even more fun, not to mention the chance to win a prize, to the typical game.
Gamification and Responsible Play
Gamification and Responsible Play
As fun as gamification features are, it's important that they don’t encourage excessive play. That’s why, no matter the gamification options, you should always play with a bankroll in place. Stick to this budget and make small bets so that it lasts longer. While you’re at it, use the responsible gaming features available at your bingo sites such as time and budget limits so that you enjoy playing without the addition of further pressures.
Gamification: The Future of Bingo?
The future looks bright for online bingo, and with gamification features it can only get even brighter. The future promises even more sophisticated additions, with missions tailored to the specific player, augmented reality options, and cross-game ecosystems all in the pipeline. As a result bingo is now a true dynamic experience that is driven by the community, even as it retains the simple fun of matching numbers to form lines on a card.
What are your favourite gamification features? Do let us know so that we can highlight them in a future article!
