Validating game mechanics and gamification parameters with card sorting methods

Abstract

The article is based on the application of a Card Sorting to establish a criteria in accordance with the most relevant game mechanics at present. The evaluation has been carried out with experts in the gamification sector who are currently active. The study presented is based on the application of user experience techniques: interviews and card sorting system, which have allowed the first definition of the concepts applicable to gamified systems and describe, compare, eliminate, group and hierarchies three types of game mechanics, the most used, starting with the first definition criteria of game mechanics and what is not. The results are founded on a first approximation that indicates parameters to be taken into account in the possible application in gamified systems contributing with both strong and weak points of the three systems and allowing to establish a starting point for more possible closed evaluations.