| Sumario: | Background: Gamification has demonstrated potential for enhancing motivation and academic performance in online learning contexts. Nevertheless, given the inconsistent findings in prior research, additional investigation is warranted to clarify its effects on intrinsic motivation, performance, and psychological need satisfaction. Objectives: To address the mixed findings in prior research, this study empirically investigates the effects of two game design elements, badges and freedom of choice, on college students' psychological need satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and performance in an online learning environment. Methods: Guided by self‐determination theory, a gamified online learning environment was developed using TalentLMS. Participants (N = 210) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: badges, freedom of choice, badges with freedom of choice, or control (no badges, no freedom of choice). Results and Conclusions: The findings indicate that while badges diminished learners' intrinsic motivation and failed to satisfy the need for competence, freedom of choice indirectly boosted intrinsic motivation by fulfilling the need for autonomy. Neither badges nor freedom of choice significantly improved learner performance. The discussion emphasizes the need for caution when integrating badges into learning contexts and explores the theoretical and practical implications of these results. Summary: What is currently known about this topic? ○Previous studies have reported mixed effects of gamification tools on online learners' motivation and performance.○Many investigations have examined these effects without grounding them in theory or a theoretical framework.○Failure to measure the individual effects of specific gamification tools limits understanding of their relative effectiveness.What does this paper add? ○It offers a framework based on the Self‐Determination Theory to explain how gamification influences motivation and performance.○By examining the individual effects of badges and freedom of choice, it was found that badges act as extrinsic rewards, which may reduce intrinsic motivation, while freedom of choice supports autonomy needs and boosts motivation.○It contributes both theoretical and practical insights to the literature on gamification and motivation.○It provides guidance for future gamification design and implementations.Implications for practice/or policy ○Online instructors and instructional designers should use badges cautiously.○Incorporating freedom of choice is an effective way to support the autonomy and motivation of online learners.○Instructional designers and instructors should recognize the limited effectiveness of badges and freedom of choice in enhancing the performance of online learners.
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