At De Vormstrateeg, we love games. Not just for the fun of it, but for what they set in motion. Games draw people in — they spark curiosity, create engagement, and get people to act. And that’s exactly what makes gamification such a powerful tool in communication.
What is gamification?
Gamification means using game elements to convey a message or influence behaviour. Think challenges, levels, rewards, or choices that affect the outcome. By applying those game structures, the way information is received changes. Instead of passively consuming, the user becomes an active participant. The story becomes an experience.
A tool, not a gimmick
We don’t see gamification as a gimmick, but as a way to bring content to life. It works especially well for topics that are complex, abstract, or feel far removed. Because when you let people do instead of just watch, they remember a whole lot more.
What we’ve created
We're not full-time game developers, but we do have plenty of experience designing playful communication. We created a water game for primary schools with Plan Nederland, tackling the global issue of water scarcity. For the City of Amsterdam, we developed an informative card game about the Red Light District. For Concorde translation agency, we came up with language games, and for NewNRG, a game about clean transport. We also made a quiz on construction site safety for KondorWessels, and a playful building sign for ‘de Kleine Prins’, a primary school under renovation. Every year, we wrap things up with our own interactive New Year’s greeting — a mini-game to surprise (and sometimes gently challenge) our clients.
Why we’re big fans
For us, gamification is a valuable layer in the world of design and communication. It makes complex content more accessible. It creates deeper engagement. And it invites interaction. Because play isn’t a distraction — it’s a way to connect, to understand, and to remember.
Have a story that deserves attention? We’d love to help you turn spectators into participants.
“Design is communication — and gamification is the part that sticks.”
