Overjustification Effect

About this model

This diagram illustrates a player engagement and retention model in the context of video game achievements and their impact on player behavior. The system begins with a source of players entering the game environment, where their progression is influenced by two main pathways. The first pathway captures players who achieve basic trophies and potentially proceed to earn all trophies available in the game, symbolizing complete player engagement. The second pathway accounts for player churn, where players disengage and leave the game environment, a critical metric for understanding player retention.

Gate nodes in the diagram simulate decision points or critical junctures in a player's journey within the game—determining whether players will continue to engage by seeking all trophies, churn out, or reach a state of complete engagement and cease active play. The dynamic nature of player interaction with the game and the achievements system is captured through random and percentage-based flows between nodes, symbolizing the variable player responses to in-game incentives and achievements. Additionally, a register node aggregates data on total players, incorporating those actively playing, those who have obtained basic trophies, and those who have achieved all trophies, providing a comprehensive view of player engagement and progression. This model serves to analyze the effects of game design on player motivation and retention, emphasizing the balance between intrinsic motivation and the potential overjustification effect caused by external rewards.

"Overjustification Effect" is a public Machinations diagram shared in the Community by Nicolás Munafó, with 24 components.

It was created in May 2023 and last edited in May 2023.

Open the diagram in the Machinations app and press Play to watch the resources move, adjust its values to test how the system responds, or remix it to make an editable copy in My diagrams.