Summary

In this conversation, David Kolmer speaks with Vaughan O'Leary from KPMG about the role of gamification in learning and engagement. They discuss how player reactions during testing can indicate successful design, the importance of customization in learning experiences, and the benefits of community involvement through tournaments. Vaughan shares insights on how to implement gamification strategies effectively, even without digital solutions, to enhance team engagement and learning outcomes.

Takeaways

Engagement can be measured through player reactions during testing.

Customization allows learners to take ownership of their experience.

Community involvement enhances the learning process.

Tournaments can be run manually without digital tools.

Align activities with company values for better engagement.

Using photos and videos can foster team spirit.

Gamification can lead to increased participation and motivation.

Simple activities can resonate well with participants.

Points and prizes can incentivize desired behaviors.

Understanding player dynamics can improve future designs.

Sound bites

"Letting the learner take their own path."

"You've got their captured attention."

"You can collect points and that sort of thing."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gamification in Learning

02:48 Engagement Through Customization and Personalization

03:48 Building Community and Team Involvement through Tournaments

Keywords

gamification, learning, engagement, tournaments, customization, team building, KPMG, education, player experience, community

GAMELAYER Alive: Gameified Podcast Creation. Recorded live on site at GAMICON 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is a mini-series that highlights experts in the field of game learning, simple practitioners, and even those who are just curious, who happen to be at the conference. These high signal micro-episodes will be released daily, January 2026.

This miniseries itself is organized through a card game that promotes conversations through self-hugging. Self-hugging is the aspect or tendency of a designer to create learning environments or artifacts that they themselves would enjoy consuming. This is seen as a negative practice in the game-learning industry. However, for a discussion, self-hugging is actually pretty useful.

In this game, practitioners will identify with one of five cards. The cards are laid out on a spectrum of potential personas. Starting with the scientist on one and the Mystic on the other, after selecting their persona card, the speaker will be guided to choose one of three topic cards. The topic of building, the topic of measuring out outcomes, or the topic of the future of the L&D industry.

CREDITS

GAMELAYER RADIO is found wherever you get your podcasts. Transcripts and swag at Gamelayer.fm

Theme Music by Caleb Willitz. calebwillitz.com/ calebwillitz.bandcamp.com/music

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