Rules

Rules in gamification are guidelines that structure how users interact with an interface. They limit actions to keep the experience manageable. They can be broken down into 4 types:

• Operational rules: These rules explain how to use the interface. For example, in a learning app, an operational rule could be that users must finish a module to access advanced topics.
• Constitutive rules: These are the foundational structures, like the algorithms behind the scenes. For example, these rules might be the code that determines how users earn or lose points or progress through levels based on their performance in a learning app.
• Implicit rules: These rules govern user behavior and etiquette. In a learning app, implicit rules might include respecting other users in discussion forums or following community guidelines within the app.
• Instructional rules: These rules are designed to reinforce learning outcomes. In a learning app, a rule might be that incorrect quiz answers carry negative marks and reduce the overall score to highlight the importance of understanding the material.