About Wakaaro: gamification and serious games from Belgium
Wakaaro is a Belgian agency specialising in the development of gamification programmes, serious games and bespoke interactive learning solutions. We are based in Aalter (Belgium) and work with organisations in Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond: from SMEs and multinationals to educational institutions, non-profit organisations and government bodies.
Our approach is always the same: we start with your objective and target audience, and only then do we choose the game formats that will have the greatest impact. This could be a digital app, a physical board game, a VR simulation or an escape room, but it could just as easily be a combination of several formats. Contrary to what many people think, gamification does not have to be (entirely) digital.
Wakaaro isn’t tied to any one specific format, but always seeks out the best solution for your challenge. Want to get to know us? Get in touch today!
goal
We always start from the objective and do not lose sight of it.
creativity
Creativity is our strength. We can prototype in-house (laser cutters, 3D printers, software...) to test and adjust ourselves.
network
Within the team there is also a lot of expertise around learning, communication, marketing, etc. We also have an extensive network with specialists in numerous fields.
co-creation
Just because we tackle your gamification project doesn't mean that you yourself (or your target audience) don't like being involved. Partnership and co-creation is paramount at Wakaaro.
Our approach: from objective to launch
Every project at Wakaaro begins with a thorough analysis of the content, the objectives and the target audience. We don’t create games for the sake of it – the game is always a means to achieve a specific goal: training staff, changing behaviour, raising awareness, or making complex information accessible.
Based on this analysis, we embark on an iterative process of concept development, prototyping and testing, always in co-creation with the client and, where possible, with the ultimate target audience. This iterative process is what makes the difference between a game that works and one that falls by the wayside.
Following validation and refinement comes the final development – during which we do not stick to any one particular medium – and launch. We can also provide support with communications surrounding the game: because a good game also deserves a good introduction to the target audience.
Want to know more about how we work and what the possibilities are for your challenges? Get in touch and we will be happy to come and introduce ourselves without any obligation!
Who works with Wakaaro?
Wakaaro develops solutions for a wide range of sectors and types of organisation. Our clients include:
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HR and L&D professionals who want to transform training from passive to active learning
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Marketing and communications teams who want to reach their target audience in a deeper, more engaging way
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Educational institutions: from colleges to universities, seeking to make theoretical material practical
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Companies and SMEs looking to tackle a specific internal issue through a bespoke game
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Non-profit organisations and government bodies seeking to raise awareness of social issues such as sustainability, safety or health
Do you have a specific challenge in mind? We would be happy to visit you for an exploratory discussion, with no obligation.
The team
Wakaaro is a brand owned by Think Nova, based at 26A Brouwerijstraat in Aalter. Behind Wakaaro are Peter and Thomas De Roeck – two passionate gamification experts with backgrounds in finance and product development respectively.
Peter De Roeck
"I have already experienced myself that gamification can be very motivating. Users want to get better. They want to beat their peers. To achieve a higher level. The playful and competitive elements make them try that little bit harder. So it feels more like a reward. After all, the results are immediately visible and you may even give them a gift for their efforts. That motivates them to learn more and faster. Not to mention, it can make learning (more) fun."
Thomas De Roeck
"One learns by doing. I am a great advocate of applied learning. Theoretical concepts presented in a practical and 'tangible' way are acquired much faster. Gamification is a very good tool to make this bridge between theory and practice and increases the motivation to learn. In addition, gamification can also serve to optimise other business processes that are currently not very interactive and to look at them in a different way, so that here, too, the various parties achieve better results".