Is your ecommerce store blending into the Shopify sea of sameness? In this episode of The PlayAbly Podcast, we’re joined by PlayAbly CEO and founder John Cheng to uncover the science, psychology, and serious ROI behind ecommerce gamification.
From his early days at Unity to the founding of PlayAbly during the COVID-era ecommerce shakeup, John shares how game mechanics—built on behavioral psychology and user interactivity—can radically increase conversions, customer engagement, and brand recall.
We unpack:
- 🎯 Why gamification taps into core human psychology and drives more meaningful interactions
- 👖 How a “Tinder-style” ecommerce quiz boosted engagement for 65+ shoppers at Jones New York
- 📈 What makes interactive experiences outperform traditional email popups by 30-50%
- 💡 The true difference between gimmicky spinners vs. deeply engaging shoppable games
- 🧠 Why AI is making it easier than ever to personalize gamified touchpoints
- 💰 How brands are using Shopify gamification to reduce CAC and drive retention—without slashing prices
Whether you're thinking about VIP programs, loyalty loops, or just trying to create a better customer journey, this episode offers actionable takeaways on how to authentically connect with your customers—and keep them coming back.
🔗 Want to see what gamification can do for your store? Explore the PlayAbly Game Arcade or learn more about our bespoke builds.
Get Your First Month of PlayAbly free when you mention this Podcast during your free PlayAbly Demo - learn how gamification can improve your ecommerce shop at www.playably.ai
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