How Super Better helps users reach their best self with gamification

The Challenge

At times, even the simplest tasks are challenging. This was how Jane McGonigal felt after suffering a brain injury. Her trauma resulted in enduring three months of despair where she lost all motivation. Determined to help herself, she wondered if she could craft a game to uplift her spirits. Still, she couldn’t help but ask: can a simple, playful app be so powerful to reignite the will to live?

Despite the widespread perception of games as distractions, McGonigal perceived them differently. This is why she wanted to create an app. One that proved that game elements help achieve more and contribute to personal growth.

McGonigal's journey in making her vision come to life wasn't easy. She faced doubts and criticism from people who didn't believe games could be useful for improving mental health. But she knew from her own experience, how much impact they can make. Her own experiences with despair and the healing power of games fueled her determination to create something that could help others facing similar challenges.

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The assumption

Games are viewed as a way to pass the time, holding little potential to improve someone’s daily life. However, Jane McGonigal began to see them as catalysts for significant change, especially for those desperate to solve their distress. She decided to challenge this narrow view.

Initially naming her app “Jane The Concussion Slayer”, McGonigal soon realized its broader potential to assist individuals in overcoming diverse challenges. Potential to provide support beyond concussion recovery.

However, she was lacking ways to convince users to download the app. It did not have a sufficient scientific base or interactive elements to retain users’ attention. Jane McGonigal had to think of ways to increase user engagement and earn their trust.

Continuing her journey, McGonigal refined her app's focus based on her experiences and knowledge as a game developer. She concentrated on empowering individuals to tackle challenges with strength and perseverance. This shift meant more than just addressing symptoms; it aimed to inspire resilience and personal growth. With determination, McGonigal worked towards creating a tool that would support users on their paths to a stronger, more fulfilling life.

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The Solution

The app was renamed Super Better, as it aimed to improve each user’s life. Designed to build different types of resilience, it became a tool that provided help to everyone in the world.

Jane McGonigal enriched the app with innovative solutions. By conducting thorough research and collaborating with experts, she strengthened the app's scientific credibility. McGonigal also introduced creative gamification strategies to keep users engaged and motivated on their journey to resilience and well-being.

Through determination and smart problem-solving, McGonigal found the crucial features to make her vision a reality. Specifically, these were the elements that facilitated the realization of McGonigal’s goals:

1. Challenges and points enhance growth

Users can choose between challenges, each tailored to overcome different obstacles. It can be anything - from managing severe anxiety to simply improving physical fitness. These trials are designed to push users outside their comfort zones and help them develop resilience in various aspects of their lives. As users complete challenges, they earn resilience points, motivating them to tackle even greater obstacles on their journey to self-improvement.

2. Personalization acknowledges each user’s healing journey

SuperBetter encourages users to personalize their journey by customizing power-ups, challenges, quests, and “bad guys” ( the troubles users need to overcome ). This level of personalization ensures the app resonates with each individual. It ensures that the skills from their customized adventures speed up the healing process.

3. Science-based methods to encourage progression

The app's foundation in scientifically proven methods emphasizes its effectiveness in promoting resilience and well-being. Backed by research, the app incorporates evidence-based strategies for enhancing all 4 types of resilience - physical, mental, emotional, and social. These methods are proven to help post-traumatic growth. Users trust their in-app efforts more when they know the application is based on scientific methods. This reinforces their belief that the app is not mere entertainment, but a ground-breaking lifeline.