Gamification in App Design: What We Can Learn from Elden Ring & Other Hits

There’s something about games that pulls you in and keeps you there, not because you’re forced to stay, but because you want to. That’s the kind of feeling that Elden Ring creates, and it’s also the kind of feeling app developers should strive for when thinking about gamification in apps. 

It’s easy to think that gamification is just about adding a few badges, points, or leaderboards to an app. But there’s so much more to it than that. When done right, gamification makes an app feel more personal, more enjoyable, and a lot more engaging.

In this blog, we’ll talk about what we can learn from games like Elden Ring and other popular titles and how we can bring those ideas into app design. 

Table of Contents: 

What Does Gamification in Apps Mean?

Lessons from Elden Ring: A Game That Lets You Be You

Using Game Mechanics in Mobile Apps

App Design Inspiration from Games

Designing for Different Types of Users

What to Avoid in App Gamification

Final Thoughts

What Does Gamification in Apps Mean?

When we talk about gamification in apps, we mean using elements from video games—things like progress bars, challenges, levels, and achievements—in non-game apps. The goal isn’t to turn your app into a game. Instead, it’s to make it more engaging and enjoyable by using what we know works well in games.

It’s not just about rewards or points. It’s understanding what makes people tick. People like to feel progress. They enjoy a sense of mastery. They like to be surprised and challenged. And they love being part of something that feels alive.

This approach is sometimes called “human-focused design” because it puts the user’s emotions, motivations, and behavior at the center. 

Lessons from Elden Ring: A Game That Lets You Be You

I’ve spent a lot of hours in Elden Ring, and one of the things I admire most about it is how much freedom it gives the player. Then there comes the wonderful user experience. 

You’re dropped into this massive, mysterious world, and from there, it’s completely up to you how you want to explore it. You can charge straight into battles, sneak past enemies, get lost in caves, or just wander around soaking in the atmosphere.

That sense of freedom is a big part of what keeps people playing. And that’s a powerful lesson for apps, too.

Also Read, Privacy Alerts in Apps: How to Design Security Messages That Don’t Scare Users Away

Elden Ring Motivates Players Through Six Core Drives:

1. Action – There’s a constant sense of excitement, with plenty of tools and weapons to experiment with in combat.

2. Social – The game has online features like co-op play, PvP battles, and community messages that make the world feel connected.

3. Mastery – Boss fights are hard, but fair. You learn through trying and failing, and then trying again.

4. Achievement – Whether it’s collecting powerful gear or becoming the Elden Lord, there’s always a goal to aim for.

5. Creativity – Players can customize their characters, choose builds, and express themselves in gameplay.

6. Immersion – The world is deep, mysterious, and full of lore that you can explore at your own pace.

Apps design can take inspiration from all of these motivators in games. For example, 

• Fitness apps can tap into action and achievement. 
• Language apps can use mastery and progression. 
• Social finance or learning platforms can use social and creativity. 

The key is to understand what kind of motivation fits your users and your product.

Using Game Mechanics in Mobile Apps

So what does this actually look like in real apps? Let’s look at a few common game mechanics and how they can be used in mobile apps to make them more enjoyable and effective.

Also Read, Latest Trends in Mobile App Design Services for 2025

1. Levels and Progression

One of the most satisfying parts of playing a game is seeing your progress. In Elden Ring, every rune you collect gets you a bit closer to leveling up. That tiny moment of growth keeps you moving forward.

Apps like Duolingo use this mechanic really well. Every lesson gives you XP. You see your streaks. You level up. And it all adds up to make you feel like you’re really learning.

If you want to increase retention with gamification, showing progress is key. 

2. Challenges and Mastery

Games like Elden Ring are full of challenges that test your skill. And while some players find that frustrating, most of us love that feeling of finally overcoming something difficult.

Apps can do the same thing. For example, a learning app might give users harder quizzes as they improve. A health app could unlock tougher workout goals. The idea is to make users feel like they’re getting better over time.

3. Choice and Freedom

One of the most exciting things about open-world games is being able to choose your own path. Elden Ring doesn’t force you into a story. It invites you to explore it in your own way.

In apps, giving users choices can create that same feeling. Let people pick how they learn, how they track habits, or how they set goals. That sense of control makes the experience more personal and more fun.

4. Social Play and Community

Even in mostly single-player games like Elden Ring, the presence of other players, through messages, signs, and co-op play, adds a layer of connection.

Apps that include social features, like challenges with friends, public leaderboards, or shared achievements, often see much better engagement. People enjoy seeing how others are doing, and love sharing their own wins too.

5. Discovery and Surprise

Elden Ring is full of secrets. Hidden caves, rare items, mysterious NPCs—you never know what’s around the corner. That sense of discovery keeps things exciting.

Apps can create that same feeling by occasionally surprising users. Maybe it’s unlocking a new feature, a hidden achievement, or a fun visual change. Small surprises make people want to come back and see what’s next.

App Design Inspiration from Games

There are already a lot of great apps that use game mechanics in mobile apps to build better experiences. Here are a few examples:

Designing for Different Types of Users

One of the smartest things Elden Ring does is give players options. You can fight huge bosses or explore quietly. You can go deep into the story, or just enjoy the scenery. You don’t have to do everything to enjoy the game.

Gamification in apps should work the same way. Apps should offer the same flexibility. Some users love competition. Others want to feel calm. Some like to explore. Others like to win.

Also Read, iOS 18.4: What’s New and Exciting in Apple’s Latest Update?

Design your app to support different styles:

• Achievers want clear goals, stats, and rewards.
• Explorers enjoy unlocking features and finding hidden content.
• Socializers want to share progress and interact with others.
• Mastery-seekers want challenges and skill-building.

You don’t need to serve all of them perfectly. But the more you understand your users’ motivation, the better you can design an app that really sticks.

What to Avoid in App Gamification

Gamification in apps can be powerful, but it can also go wrong if it’s done without care. Here are a few things to avoid:

• Over-complicating the experience: Too many layers of points and badges can confuse or overwhelm users.
• Making it feel like work: If users feel pressured to keep up streaks or avoid penalties, it can create stress instead of motivation.
• Ignoring the core value: Gamification should support your app’s purpose, not replace it. If your app isn’t useful, gamifying it won’t help for long.

Final Thoughts 

Elden Ring shows that great design doesn’t need to shout. With minimal UI and almost no hand-holding, it still manages to pull players deep into a world that rewards curiosity, effort, and personal pace.

That kind of design thinking works just as well in apps. The most engaging experiences don’t overload users. They guide, respond, and make every action feel meaningful. Good apps give users a sense of progress, freedom, and purpose without making it feel like work.

Start small. Add satisfying feedback. Let users see their growth. Build moments that feel good to interact with. Because at the end of the day, the apps people return to are ones that feel good to use.