One powerful but often overlooked model for onboarding comes from the world of esports. In competitive gaming, especially in titles like League of Legends, Valorant, or Dota 2, millions of viewers watch professional players not just for entertainment—but to learn. Spectators absorb strategies, mechanics, and decision-making processes simply by observing skilled gameplay in action.
This passive learning model can be extremely effective in gamified systems. By integrating spectator-style onboarding, such as:
- Walkthrough videos or animated demos showing expert users navigating the system
- Replayable tutorials that mimic real user behavior
- Live or recorded sessions of users completing tasks with commentary
With these we can help new users understand the “why” behind actions, not just the “how.”
Just as esports fans become better players by watching the pros, users of a gamified system can become more confident and competent by observing ideal behaviors. This approach reduces cognitive load, builds confidence, and encourages exploration. Key ingredients for a successful onboarding experience.
Get in touch if you’d like to find out how we can help you to do this in your system: Gamification Consultancy