Can you have style & substance in gamified learning? | Learning Pool

In our latest webinar, we explored a powerful question: Can gamified learning solutions deliver both style and substance?

The answer? Yes. But achieving that balance takes more than just flashy design. It requires purposeful thinking, realistic expectations, and a clear connection to learning goals.

This session was split into two halves. Lisa McGeady explored gamification, breaking down what makes it truly impactful (and what to steer clear of). Rob Taylor then took us into the world of simulations, highlighting how they can deliver safe, scalable environments where learners grow in confidence.

Both brought along real-world examples, practical advice, and a refreshing honesty zone.

L&D’s gamified learning confessions

To kick things off, Luke posed a question to the audience: Have you ever committed any of these “gamification sins” in your learning design?

Here’s how the audience responded:

• 62% – Forgot to measure success
• 42% – Used gamification just for the sake of it
• 31% – Overcomplicated the game mechanics
• 29% – Ignored learner readiness
• 18% – Focused more on rewards than learning

Guilty of one or two? You’re not alone. Lisa and Rob revisited these confessions later in the session to offer practical ways forward.

Game mechanics: Designing for engagement and impact

Lisa was quick to bust a few common myths. Gamification isn’t all about the badges and rewards. Done well, it builds emotional engagement, encourages replayability, and aligns with real-world behaviours.

To illustrate, Lisa shared two standout examples:

Well Pharmacy

We created a customer service simulation designed to unlock tasks progressively, fostering empathy and decision-making. The experience encouraged learners to explore and replay, deepening their understanding with each interaction.

Prudential’s “Level Up”

This learning game helped employees understand the business through multi-path navigation and “Easter eggs” revealing moments in the company’s history. It was designed with replayability in mind, keeping learners coming back for more.

Both examples were brought to life with video clips—catch them in the on-demand webinar if you missed it.

Lisa’s top tips for gamification

• Define clear learning goals from the outset
• Involve stakeholders early in the process
• Map the full journey before building
• Keep rewards simple, meaningful, and aligned with behavior
• Balance structure with room for exploration
• Always ask: “How do we level this up?”
• Measure success with real metrics—not just clicks or completion rates

Simulations: Safe, scalable, and smart

Next, Rob Taylor unpacked the power of simulations:

What makes a simulation effective?

A good simulation doesn’t have to mirror reality exactly but it must feel real enough to matter. It should support both hard and soft skills, allow room for error, and offer a psychologically safe space to practice and grow.

Real-world examples in action

Rob spotlighted the ACI Learning IT certification simulation, which features 27 realistic scenarios—from battery swaps to network configuration. The content is serious, but the visual tone remains light and engaging. Most importantly, the design encourages repetition, helping learners build fluency over time.

He also gave a glimpse into some of his experimental 3D work. In his downtime, Rob enjoys exploring different software to push the boundaries of what’s possible in learning simulations. He’s built a library of prototypes to inspire internal teams and demonstrate what's achievable for clients.

One standout example was set in an engineering context where access to physical equipment is limited. To overcome this, Rob created a simulation using a 3D model integrated into Storyline.

Watch the recording to see these innovative examples in action!

When should you use simulations?

Rob gave his advice:

• Use simulations when real-world practice is risky, expensive, or difficult to scale
• Start tracking from the beginning—most actions can be measured
• Understand your tools—some simulations may seem simple but can be complex to develop

Closing reflections: Lessons from the “sins”

Before wrapping up, Lisa and Rob revisited the audience poll with some candid takes:

• Overcomplication: “Yes, we’ve seen mechanics get in the way of learning.”
• Reward-obsessed design: “It’s easy to get seduced by points—stay focused on outcomes.”
• Gamification without purpose: “Always ask: what’s the goal?”
• Ignoring learner readiness: “Not everyone responds the same—know your audience.”
• Skipping measurement: “If you’re not tracking success, how do you know it worked?”

Final thought: Style + Substance = Smart learning

To close, Rob summed it up perfectly:

“You’re doing your learners a disservice if you don’t strive for both.”

Whether it’s a slick leaderboard or a rich simulation, the most effective learning experiences are those that both excite and deliver.

The winning formula? Start with purpose. Design with care. Measure what matters.

Catch the webinar on demand

Missed the live session or want to revisit the examples in action? Watch the full recording here.