Enhancing Gameful Systems with a Domain Specific Language for Rules Lifecycle Management

Gamification refers to the application of gaming concepts in non-playful contexts to encourage engagement with a product or service. Gameful systems are software programs that embed this concept and are increasingly being applied in various fields, such as environmental awareness, education and training, health, and food waste reduction. These systems are based on a set of rules defined by game designers, who specify the conditions that must be met to evolve the state of a game and the associated consequences. However, the current approaches to defining rules in gameful systems carry certain limitations that can give rise to undesirable or unforeseen behaviors. These limitations pose significant challenges to the smooth functioning and overall effectiveness of gameful experiences. This paper presents a Domain Specific Language (DSL) designed to simplify and strengthen the entire rule lifecycle process. The DSL guides designers during the rule definition process using easy-to-use fluent APIs. Additionally, it enables the simulation of rules and verification of their behavior through a graph that explicitly shows their interconnection. Finally, the DSL facilitates the deployment of rules on the gamification engine with simple steps. This approach enhances the effectiveness of gameful systems by reducing the likelihood of unintended consequences and improving the overall user experience.