Can gamification make an app successful?

Gamification can contribute to an app's success, but it's not a guaranteed formula. According to Sal Di Stefano and Justin Andrews, many apps, especially in Silicon Valley, fail despite significant investment and promising ideas. They mention that while game-based apps often generate substantial revenue, the overall fail rate for apps is extremely high, around 80-90% 1.

During their discussion, they shared an example of an app they were developing to gamify fitness, which they believed was a brilliant idea. However, they learned the importance of inexpensive testing and the necessity to pivot due to changing circumstances and unforeseen challenges 1. Thus, while gamification can be a successful strategy, it requires thorough testing, flexibility, and sometimes changing the original concept to adapt to the market and user needs.