StarQuest: Revamping Gamification for Creator Retention

Gamification
Gamification
Gamification
Gamification
Gamification
Gamification
Gamification
Gamification
Gamification

Category:

Product Design (B2C)

Company:

ShareChat

Duration:

2 weeks

🎯 Project Goal

Redesign the existing gamification system with a modern UX approach to boost creator retention, task completion, and engagement on the platform.

📌 Challenge

Creators were losing motivation to return and engage consistently. The gamification system needed a fresh narrative, visual appeal, and deeper user psychology integration to retain them longer.

💡 My Approach: Gamification 2.0

I introduced “StarQuest” — an immersive, stage-like gamification system that transforms a creator’s journey into an epic route to superstardom.

Key UX Strategies Applied:

  • Zeigarnik Effect – drive task completion via streaks

  • Law of Recognition – highlight achievements through rewards

  • Law of Progression – display clear levels and goals

  • Social Influence – foster community via leaderboards

🌈 Design Concept: The World of PodiumStars

I crafted a visually rich, interactive platform that uses metaphorical stages, tickets, and superstar themes to increase emotional engagement and bring theatre-like energy to task completion.

🔥 Core Features

  • Streaks & Stages:
    Track continuous posting to unlock special rewards
    e.g. 2-week, 4-week streaks

  • Milestones-Based Rewards:
    Earn trophies for crossing view/share/follower goals

    • 500 → 5K → 50K views

    • 10 → 100 → 1000 shares

    • 100 → 1000 → 10K followers

  • Level System:
    Climb from Little Star to Ultimate Star through content creation
    (15 levels total)

  • Leaderboards:
    Top performers are showcased, creating a healthy competitive space

  • Ticket-Based Task Cards:
    Inspired by events/theatre, we designed tasks as collectible “tickets” to boost novelty and completion

📊 Key Metrics Improved

  • Increased daily task completion via streaks

  • Higher motivation through tangible reward visibility

  • Improved retention and return rates across creator levels

🏆 Tangible Benefits for Creators

Rewards were not just virtual. Top creators unlocked:

  • 🎤 Mentorship programs

  • 🎟 Event invites & real-world perks

  • 📣 In-app promotion and spotlighting

🎨 UX Behind the Design

The entire journey was rooted in behavioral psychology and UX laws:

  • Fitts’ Law – fast interactions via thumb-friendly components

  • Miller’s Law – limited cognitive load with modular information

  • Symmetry & Asymmetry – balanced but dynamic layouts


🚀 Final Thought

StarQuest isn’t just a gamified flow—it's a digital stage where creators become stars.
It celebrates effort, drives consistency, and turns content creation into a rewarding adventure.