Laurynas @ Forward Product 2025

Is gamification a blessing or a curse for your product? Our partner, Laurynas Vainius, tackled this head-on at the Forward Product conference recently with his talk: "Gamification Is Ruining Your Product". Definitely sparked some critical thinking on how to use it properly.

Laurynas took a close look at gamification, using Duolingo to show how engagement tools can sometimes distract from what really counts — true progress. He emphasized the importance of knowing who you’re designing for and why, reminding us that gamification works best when it’s intentional and purposeful.Two different stories, one shared truth: success comes from clear focus, real-world learning, and thoughtful design.