Room 8 Group & Esteeme – Gamified Recognition in Action
At Room 8 Group, a global leader in game development and art production, fostering creativity and engagement is deeply embedded in their culture. As a company well-versed in gaming principles, they provided the perfect opportunity to test Esteeme’s gamified recognition platform. We believed their familiarity with gamification would offer valuable feedback on how our system performs in a real-world setting.
The primary objective of this collaboration was to measure how gamified recognition impacts employee engagement in various activities. However, during the testing phase, an unexpected benefit emerged that became a cornerstone of Esteeme’s value proposition: cost optimisation. By using our structured Game Economy—combining coins earned through recognition with carefully calibrated item pricing in the Gift Store—we demonstrated how gamification can balance engagement with financial efficiency. This case study delves into the results, insights, and transformations made possible by Esteeme’s platform at Room 8 Group.
The Challenge: Navigating Engagement in a Remote-First World
Room 8 Group operates as a remote-first company, with teams spread across multiple countries. While this global structure fosters diversity and creativity, it also poses unique challenges, especially when it comes to employee engagement. After the shift to remote work accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company noticed a growing need to create a sense of connection and belonging among associates.
Despite efforts like virtual meetings and internal initiatives, these solutions failed to deliver a lasting impact. Engagement levels remained inconsistent, with 40% of specialists receiving recognition only a few times a year. Furthermore, peer-to-peer recognition was limited, leaving employees feeling undervalued. Participation in entertainment and educational events was also sporadic, as unclear motivation and the absence of tangible incentives often discouraged involvement.
Room 8 Group wanted to establish a space that not only connected employees but also motivated them to participate actively in the company’s culture. This search for an innovative, sustainable approach to engagement led to the collaboration with Esteeme.
The Solution: a Gamified Approach to Engagement with Esteeme
To address Room 8 Group’s challenges, Esteeme introduced a gamified recognition platform designed to build connection, motivation, and engagement among associates. The solution combined multiple features tailored to the company’s needs, making recognition a consistent and rewarding experience for employees.
1. Gift Store: Turning Recognition into Rewards
The Gift Store became a cornerstone of the platform, transforming appreciation into tangible rewards. Employees earned coins through recognition and participation in events, which they could redeem for curated items in the store. By aligning the item pricing with the company’s budget and reward strategy, the Gift Store balanced cost-effectiveness with employee satisfaction.
Value:
Encouraged participation in recognition activities with meaningful incentives.
Provided employees the autonomy to choose rewards that mattered to them.
Established a scalable system that ensured budget control while boosting engagement.
2. Custom Events: Creating Memorable Moments
Esteeme empowered Room 8 Group to create custom events aligned with their corporate values and goals. From professional development webinars to fun team-building challenges, every event was gamified with coins and badges as rewards for participation.
Value:
Increased attendance and involvement in events by adding gamified incentives.
Strengthened team bonds through collaborative activities.
Reinforced company culture by tying events to organisational values.
3. Badges: Recognition Made Visible
Badges were designed to make appreciation visible and memorable. Associates could earn badges for milestones, exceptional teamwork, or contributions to projects. These digital symbols of recognition created a culture of celebration and acknowledgment.
Value:
Highlighted individual achievements, fostering a sense of pride.
Created a public record of appreciation, motivating others to strive for similar recognition.
Reinforced behaviours that aligned with the company’s goals.
4. Coins: The Currency of Engagement
At the heart of Esteeme’s Game Economy were coins, a virtual currency that employees earned for recognitions, badges, and event participation. Coins could be spent in the Gift Store, creating a direct link between engagement and rewards.
Value:
Incentivised employees to actively participate in recognition and events.
Provided a tangible way to measure and reward contributions.
Made recognition fun and interactive, keeping employees consistently engaged.
Insights from the Case Study
The feedback from Room 8 Group associates during the MVP testing was overwhelmingly positive. Engagement levels were high, and employees eagerly shared their thoughts on the platform, highlighting its usability and value in their day-to-day work. Esteeme not only increased participation and morale but also introduced a structured and effective way to manage recognition and engagement.
Recognition Frequency
One of the most notable outcomes was the significant increase in recognition frequency. During the MVP phase, 77% of specialists received weekly recognition, primarily through badges. This consistent acknowledgment of efforts boosted team morale, creating a sense of belonging and appreciation within the organisation. Associates reported feeling more connected to their peers and motivated by the visible recognition of their contributions.
Positive Feedback on Badges
Badges proved to be a popular feature, with 61.6% of employees using them to express appreciation. Interestingly, 31.5% of users adopted badges for fun and informal recognition, showcasing the flexibility of the platform to suit different interaction styles. This dual-purpose use of badges highlighted how gamified elements can foster both professional and social connections, enhancing the workplace atmosphere.
Budget Management Insights
The MVP also revealed a significant benefit in terms of cost optimisation. Esteeme’s structured Game Economy—linking coin earnings to Gift Store rewards—enabled Room 8 Group to achieve 30-45% savings on recognition costs. By replacing one-time event expenses with an ongoing, gamified approach, the company maintained high engagement while staying within budget. This cost-effectiveness became a key strength of the platform, proving its scalability for organisations of various sizes.
Increased Motivation with Coins
The introduction of coins as a reward system had a powerful impact on employee motivation. 57% of specialists reported feeling more motivated to participate in events when they knew coins could be earned and redeemed for rewards. This gamified incentive model encouraged higher attendance at events and active involvement, creating a thriving culture of engagement.
Room 8 Group’s collaboration with Esteeme showcases the power of gamified recognition to drive engagement, enhance team cohesion, and optimise costs. With proven results, Esteeme is ready to bring these benefits to more organisations seeking innovative ways to transform workplace culture.
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