(opinion-article)

Before I joined Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University, I knew almost nothing about it. In my first year, we had to choose elective courses. One of them was gamification. It sounded new and unusual.

Now I am close to finishing this course. I want to share why the media needs interactive tools.

Gamification helps people feel more involved. They do not just read the text. They take part in the story. This helps them understand topics better and think about their own choices. For example, the environmental situation in Ukraine is bad. A simple game where users make decisions and see the results can raise awareness. It can help people act more responsibly.

Gamification also increases visits to websites. In class, I had an idea for the Eurovision section on the Suspilne Kultura website. I suggested adding an interactive map. People could click on countries to get information. This would make the experience easier and more engaging. It would also encourage users to visit the site more often instead of searching for scattered details on social media.

Interactive formats make complex topics easier to understand. There is a game that lets users assign a pension. It shows which factors affect the budget and why it’s hard to avoid a deficit. This way, people learn through experience, not just theory.

In wartime, gamification can even save lives. One small quiz after an article helps people remember key facts. A good example is the game Whose tank is this. First, it explains how to tell the difference between Ukrainian and enemy vehicles. Then there is a test with pictures. It helps people learn and stay safe.

Gamification does not always need a big budget. Even a small quiz or image-based story can work. But there are also big projects that become full games and focus on important topics.

There is still a lot to discover about gamification. It brings together the media, education, technology and even emotions. These examples are only the beginning. But they already show how strong and meaningful gamification can be when used with creativity.

I believe all students at our university should take this course. It helps to see journalism in a new way. It is not only about giving facts. It can also involve, teach and support. The course shows how to think with imagination, how to build interaction with readers and how to make serious topics easier to understand.