Evaluating Phillips’ Game Rewards Taxonomy: Implications for the Gamification Design

This study evaluates the relevance of Phillips’ reward taxonomy in the context of contemporary video game design, with implications for modern gamification strategies. Phillips’ taxonomy categorizes game rewards into six types based on their functions within game systems. Given the rapid evolution of video games, this research investigates whether this taxonomy remains applicable to current gaming landscapes. The study consisted of two main steps: firstly, a detailed analysis of rewards in seven video games from various genres was performed and secondly, a card sorting activity with expert players was conducted. Results shown that while Phillips’ taxonomy resulted to be still applicable, the need for two additional categories, rewards of currency and rewards of self-expression, emerged, reflecting the evolving dynamics in game design and player preferences. Future research will explore the relationship between these reward categories and the fulfilment of basic psychological needs as outlined by Self-Determination Theory, to enhance the motivational impact of gamification.