40% of Large Warehouses Will Invest in Gamification and Serious Games by 2028

On February 4, 2026, Gartner published a striking prediction: by 2028, 40% of large warehouses and distribution centers will deploy gamification tools, employee engagement platforms, or serious games to motivate their workforce.

This evolution is no coincidence. Persistent labor shortages and high turnover rates are forcing organizations to rethink how they approach motivation, training, and retention.

As experts in gamification and serious games, we at Wakaaro have seen this trend emerging for quite some time. What is happening today in logistics reflects a broader movement that is also visible across other industries.

Why Gamification?

Gamification means integrating game elements such as points, badges, leaderboards, and rewards into operational processes.

The goal? Improve performance while increasing employee engagement.

According to the analysis, employees (especially younger generations) want more than just completing tasks. They are looking for:

• Meaningful work experiences

• Opportunities for personal development

• Visibility into their progress

• Recognition for their achievements

  
  

Gamification combines engagement, skill-building, and recognition into one integrated approach, something Wakaaro’s solutions actively contribute to.

Faster Learning, Faster Deployment

Research by Gartner shows that serious games:

• Improve knowledge retention

• Shorten “time to competency”

• Enable new or seasonal employees to become productive more quickly

Progress-tracking dashboards further strengthen employee confidence and stimulate continuous improvement.

For sectors with many temporary or fast-rotating employees, this represents significant added value.

The Biggest Challenge Is Cultural, Not Technological

An important nuance in the report: the biggest barrier is not technology, but culture.

Gamification only works when organizations stop viewing labor as a replaceable cost and instead recognize employees as valuable assets.

Gamification should never feel like control or manipulation. It must motivate, not frustrate.

What Does This Mean for Your Organization?

The prediction of 40% adoption by 2028 is not hype. It is a clear signal that motivation, engagement, and learning capability are becoming strategic priorities in operational environments.

Gamification is not a gimmick. It is a strategic tool to increase retention, improve productivity, make training more efficient, and give employees a sense of ownership.

At Wakaaro, we believe well-designed serious games and gamified programs only work when they are embedded in the reality of the workplace (immediately practical and applicable), transparent and fair, focused on development, and designed to drive real behavioral change.

Curious how your company can apply serious games? Contact us today to discuss your challenges.