Physics of Gamification

Hakan Uzer
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What if physics could explain user behavior? Physics of Gamification connects classic physics laws with modern gamification mechanics — to reveal how people engage, act, and stay motivated. Hosted by Hakan Uzer, this is where science meets behavior design.

  1. FEB 3

    035 - The Weak Force

    The Weak Force: Why Tiny Mechanics Drive Massive Results In physics, we usually focus on the big stuff: Gravity holding planets in orbit or the Strong Force binding the nucleus. But there is a silent mediator that keeps the sun from burning out in a flash—the Weak Nuclear Force. In this episode, Hakan Uzer explores how this subatomic principle is the secret to sustainable user engagement. Most designers try to move users with "Gravity" (heavy rewards and big bonuses). But gravity is an external force. To create lasting change, you need the Weak Force—the tiny, contextual mechanics that change a user's "flavor" from a passive observer to an active contributor.

    7 min

  2. JAN 20

    034 - Charge Accumulation: Build Up to the Big Moment

    Most gamification strategies fail because they are too "smooth." We fear friction, so we reward every tiny action immediately. The result isn't motivation; it's noise. In Episode 34, Hakan Uzer explores the physics of Static Electricity (Charge Accumulation) to prove that the most powerful moment in a system isn't the reward itself—it's the tension you build before you give it. In this episode, we cover: The Leaky Faucet: Why constant micro-rewards (badges for everything) kill long-term interest. The Physics of Capacitors: How to design systems that "store" user effort for a massive release. Dopamine & Anticipation: Why the brain prefers the "near miss" over the "easy win." 3 Mechanics to Build Tension: How to use Streaks, Thresholds, and Collections to create a spark. "The shock is only as strong as the buildup. If you want your users to feel electric, you have to let them charge up first."

    8 min

  3. JAN 6

    033 - Latent Heat: The Motivation You Don't See

    In physics, "Latent Heat" is the energy absorbed by a substance to change its state (like ice turning to water) without any rise in temperature. To an observer, it looks like nothing is happening. To the physicist, it's the most energetic phase of the process. Today, Hakan applies this concept to Gamification and UX: • The Physics of the Plateau: Why it takes 80x more energy to change a state than to raise a degree. • The "Stuck" User: How to distinguish between disengagement and "absorption." • The Lurker Effect: Why your quietest community members might be your most invested. • Designing for Silence: Strategies to reward users who are thinking, learning, and planning, rather than just clicking. • Sanctuary Zones: Why you should hide the leaderboard during deep learning phases. Key Takeaway: Don't judge a user's value solely by their visible "temperature" (points/clicks). Design for their state change.

    11 min

  4. 12/30/2025

    032 - Brownian Motion: Embracing Controlled Chaos in Design

    Is your engagement strategy too predictable? In this episode, we dive into the microscopic world of Brownian Motion to discover how random collisions drive sustained movement. The Physics: What Robert Brown’s 1827 discovery teaches us about human behavior.The Trap: Why total predictability leads to "Design Equilibrium"—a system that works but no longer matters.Controlled Chaos: How to inject "jitter" to prevent users from settling into autopilot.The Jitter Factor: Why randomness must remain unpredictable to avoid becoming another ignored pattern.Listener Challenge: Audit your most linear path and find a spot for a meaningful "collision".

    7 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    031 - Terminal Velocity: When Rewards Stop Feeling Faster

    In this episode, we explore why adding more "gravity" to a stalled system is a physics violation. If your users are coasting, doubling the points won't make them go faster—it just makes the system more inefficient. The Law: How Terminal Velocity creates a behavioral speed limit.The Resistance: Why "Hedonic Adaptation" acts like air resistance against your incentives.The Aerodynamics: Redesigning the medium through Variable Geometry and Induced Current.Listener Challenge: Audit your "coasters" and disrupt their routine with a change in context, not a change in quota.

    8 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    030 - The Chain Reaction: Triggering Viral Loops Host: Hakan Uzer

    Most gamification strategies are batteries: they store energy, release it once, and die. To build a system that grows on its own, you need to build a reactor. In this episode, we use nuclear physics to explain why most "viral" features fail. We break down the difference between "fast neutrons" (spammy invites that bounce off users) and "thermal neutrons" (signals that actually trigger a response). We cover: The Battery vs. The Reactor: Why designing for the initial action is a mistake. The Human Neutron: How to create signals that lower the effort for the next user. Velocity: Why "Invite 10 Friends" kills engagement. Control Rods: Using friction to prevent user burnout and system meltdown. Stop trying to force the explosion. Start engineering the fuel.

    7 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    029 – Mechanical Advantage: Reward Efficiency Over Effort

    Mechanical Advantage: Reward Efficiency Over Effort In this episode, we explore lever principles and how smart design rewards efficient, high-impact actions rather than brute effort. Learn how to build systems where small, intelligent moves create big motivational lift — and why recognizing efficiency is the key to long-term engagement.

    10 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    028 - Refraction: Bending Motivation Through Environment

    Light bends when it moves between different environments—air, water, glass. Motivation does the same. In this episode, Hakan Uzer explores how context can make simple tasks feel harder than they are, and why many engagement problems aren’t about users at all, but about the environment bending their perception. Using the physics of refraction, we look at how tiny shifts in workflow, timing, and feedback can straighten the path and restore momentum.

    8 min
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About

What if physics could explain user behavior? Physics of Gamification connects classic physics laws with modern gamification mechanics — to reveal how people engage, act, and stay motivated. Hosted by Hakan Uzer, this is where science meets behavior design.

Information

  • Creator
    Hakan Uzer
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hakan Uzer
  • Show Website
    Physics of Gamification