Sean Everett explains how streaks can create multiplier boosts in gamification design. Instead of flat points or badges, sustained daily activity triggers escalating rewards: double or triple payouts after hitting multi-day streaks. The Apple Watch exercise ring is a real-world example of this second-order effect in action.
Gamification. Let's talk about it for a second. Points, badges, things of this nature. That's all fine and well, but what about second-order effects? That's when your streaks, because you did something every day for years and years and years, pays off and gives you boosts. Boost, boost, boosts. That means instead of just filling your rings one day, It explodes in a minute. Silly time limits. Anyways, back to our conversation about boost, boost, boost. Okay, so here's the thing. You do something 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days. On day 8, you should get a multiplier effect. Double up, triple up. Think about the Apple Watch. The more you work out, the better your health. So why aren't you getting bigger boosts in the app? Think about it.
