Introduction to Gamification
Before the appearance of augmented reality, gamification was a vague concept that corporations struggled to know. The idea of constructing mundane activities, akin to grocery shopping, seem fun by adding a touch of playfulness was intriguing, but its execution was unclear. Top brands attempted to make use of celebrity endorsements and proprietary cartoon characters in games, but the extent of engagement and interaction was limited, eliciting only mild enthusiasm from customers.
The Rise of Augmented Reality
However, with the emergence of augmented reality, the landscape of gamification modified dramatically. For the primary time, customers felt in full control of the interaction, capable of reinvent their real-life environment, try various mixtures, and unlock hidden rewards. This newfound sense of agency and participation revolutionized the best way customers engaged with brands.
The Impact of Pokémon GO
The summer of 2016 can be remembered because the time when Pokémon GO took the world by storm. Everyone was walking around, eyes glued to their mobile screens, attempting to catch Pokémon characters. Retailers saw this as an enormous opportunity to draw customers to their stores by becoming sponsored locations and offering discounts to players. Over 35,000 stores joined the sport by 2017, attracting around 500 million visits in only one 12 months. Starbucks even launched a special Pokémon GO Frappuccino, taking the sport to a complete recent level.
Virtual Try-On and Augmented Reality Mirrors
The technique of trying on clothes was never really fun in large stores, with long queues and unflattering lighting. But with the introduction of augmented reality mirrors, akin to the one installed in Macy’s store, purchasing for clothes became a enjoyable experience. Customers could try on multiple outfits, test products in various colours, and receive size recommendations, all without having to physically change clothes.
Freedom to Shop and Engage
The launch of augmented reality shopping apps taught brands a priceless lesson: the more items they add to the app, the more customers are willing to purchase. The freedom to check various products without commitment, combined with the flexibility to virtually arrange holographic items and interact with them, led to increased emotional gratification and a better variety of items checked out through online payment gateways.
Brand Stories Come to Life
Brand stories are a strong marketing tool for creating customer loyalty. With augmented reality, top brands like MTV and AMC Theaters can now get their customers involved within the brand story, inviting them to interact through AR apps and understand the mission statement and values the brand stands for. This level of engagement and participation has the potential to drive more sales and reinforce the brand image.
Conclusion
The combination of augmented reality and gamification has opened up recent avenues for creating exciting customer experiences, reinforcing brand images, and driving sales. As marketing specialists and retail brands proceed to develop and explore this technology, we are able to expect to see much more revolutionary applications of augmented reality in the long run. With its ability to push the bounds of reality and create recent possibilities, augmented reality is poised to revolutionize the best way we interact with brands and make purchasing decisions.
