Can SuperBetter Boost Team Building? 7 Ways to Win Together 🎯 (2025)

a group of people sitting around tables and chairs

Imagine turning your team’s daily grind into an epic quest where every challenge conquered brings you closer to a shared victory. Sounds like fantasy? Not with SuperBetter! Originally designed to help individuals build resilience and improve mental health, this gamified app has evolved into a powerful tool for team building and group challenges. But can it really transform your workplace or classroom into a motivated, connected squad? Spoiler alert: yes, it can — and we’ll show you exactly how with seven actionable strategies.

Did you know that playing SuperBetter for just 10 minutes a day can reduce depression symptoms by nearly 50%? Now imagine harnessing that kind of mental wellness boost across your entire team. Later in this article, we’ll share real-life success stories, expert tips, and a detailed comparison with other gamified platforms to help you decide if SuperBetter is the secret weapon your team needs.

Key Takeaways

  • SuperBetter’s Host Account and Squad features enable effective team building through shared quests and challenges.
  • The app’s gamification mechanics—Quests, Power-Ups, and battling Bad Guys—foster resilience, motivation, and psychological safety.
  • It’s ideal for onboarding, wellness programs, project kick-offs, and skill-building sprints with a low daily time commitment.
  • Success depends on strong leadership buy-in and creating a culture of fun and openness.
  • SuperBetter stands out for its scientific backing and focus on mental wellness compared to other gamified team apps.

Ready to turn your team into resilience superheroes? Keep reading to unlock the full playbook!

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Alright, team! Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of turning your squad into a super-powered, challenge-crushing machine. You’ve asked the question, and we at Gamification Hub™ have the answers. Can an app designed for personal resilience really level up your entire team? Let’s find out!

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts About Using SuperBetter for Team Building

Pressed for time? Here’s the low-down on using SuperBetter for your group. We’ve crunched the numbers and the key features for you.

Feature / Fact Insight
Primary Use Case Originally for individual resilience, now expanded for group challenges. ✅
Team Functionality Yes, via the “Host Account” and “Squads” feature.
Target Groups Schools, small businesses, universities, clubs, and teams.
Core Concept Applies game mechanics (Quests, Power-Ups, Allies) to real-life goals.
Time Commitment About 10 minutes per day per team member.
Proven Results Studies show significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms.
Number of Users Over 1 million people have played SuperBetter.
Available Challenges Host accounts have access to over 90 pre-made challenges.
Customization ✅ Hosts can create their own custom challenges for their squads.
Cost Structure Player accounts for squads are free; Host and solo Hero accounts are subscription-based.

🧩 The Evolution of SuperBetter: From Personal Resilience to Group Challenges

Every great game has an origin story, right? SuperBetter’s is particularly compelling. It wasn’t born in a boardroom; it was created by renowned game designer Jane McGonigal as a way to heal herself from a severe concussion. She gamified her recovery, turning tedious tasks into “Quests” and recruiting friends and family as “Allies.” The result? She recovered faster than her doctors expected.

We’ve been following SuperBetter since its early days, and frankly, we were captivated. It was a prime example of what we preach in our Gamification Case Studies: using game mechanics to drive real-world outcomes.

Initially, it was a solo journey. But what happens when you realize the power of Allies is one of the most critical parts of the game? You build a feature that lets everyone play together. SuperBetter evolved, recognizing that resilience isn’t just an individual sport—it’s a team effort. They introduced the Host Account, specifically designed to “Promote mental health, resilience, social-emotional learning and skills for success with groups in a way that’s practical & engaging.” This transformed the tool from a personal health app into a powerful platform for collaborative growth.

🎯 What Is SuperBetter? A Deep Dive into Its Core Mechanics and Gamification

Before we talk about teams, let’s pop the hood and see what makes this engine run. If you’re new to the app, check out our full SuperBetter Review for an even deeper analysis. At its core, SuperBetter is about adopting a “gameful mindset” to tackle life’s challenges.

Here’s our expert rating of the app from a gamification engineering perspective:

Metric Rating (1-10) Gamification Hub™’s Take
Design & UI 8/10 Clean, encouraging, and easy to navigate. Not flashy, but very functional.
Core Gameplay Loop 9/10 The Quest -> Power-Up -> Battle loop is simple, effective, and science-backed.
Team Functionality 7/10 Solid foundation with “Squads,” but could use more direct team-vs-team features.
Engagement Factor 8/10 Highly engaging for motivated users. The 10-minute-a-day model is smart.
Scientific Backing 10/10 Top-notch. Backed by trials from institutions like the University of Pennsylvania.
Overall Score 8.4/10 A fantastic tool for both individual and group resilience.

The 7 Rules of Living Gamefully

SuperBetter is built on a framework of seven rules that are pure gold from a Behavior Science perspective. You’ll:

  • Challenge yourself and go for Epic Wins.
  • Adopt a Secret Identity.
  • Complete Quests.
  • Battle Bad Guys (like negative self-talk or procrastination).
  • Activate Power-Ups (quick, positive actions).
  • Build your squad of Allies.
  • Track your strengths and build resilience.

This isn’t just fluff; it’s a carefully constructed system. The “Bad Guys” are obstacles, “Power-Ups” are small wins that build momentum, and “Allies” are your social support network. It’s a masterclass in applying Game Mechanics to human psychology.

🤝 Can SuperBetter Be Used for Team Building? Exploring Group Challenge Features

So, the million-dollar question: can you actually use this for your team at work, your classroom, or your club?

YES. Absolutely, you can! ✅

This isn’t just a theoretical possibility; SuperBetter has a dedicated, web-based portal called the Host Account built specifically for this purpose. This is your command center for running group challenges.

Here’s how it works:

  1. The Host: One person (a manager, teacher, or team lead) signs up for a Host Account.
  2. The Squad: The host creates a “Squad” and invites players.
  3. The Challenge: The host chooses from over 90 pre-made challenges (or creates a custom one!) centered around an “Epic Win.” These challenges typically last for 5 days.
  4. The Players: Squad members join using a free “Player Account” on their mobile or web app. They complete daily quests, activate power-ups, and battle bad guys—all contributing to the team’s Epic Win.

This structure is brilliant because it maintains individual agency while fostering a sense of collective purpose. You’re not just completing tasks; you’re on a shared adventure.

1️⃣ Top 7 Ways to Use SuperBetter for Effective Team Building and Collaboration

Okay, you’re sold on the idea, but how do you apply it? Here are 7 practical, battle-tested ways we at Gamification Hub™ recommend using SuperBetter to forge a legendary team.

  1. 🚀 Onboarding New Hires: Create a custom challenge called “Epic First Month!” Quests can include meeting different team members, learning a new software, or completing their first small project. It turns a stressful period into a fun, structured adventure.
  2. 🧠 Wellness and Burnout Prevention: Run a squad challenge focused on mental health. SuperBetter has pre-made challenges for stress reduction and building resilience. This shows your team you care about their well-being beyond just productivity. As one study noted, playing for just 10 minutes a day can lead to a 49% reduction in depression symptoms.
  3. 💡 Kicking Off a Big Project: Before diving into a massive project, get the team aligned with a “Project Kick-off” challenge. The Epic Win could be “Flawless Project Launch.” Quests might involve brainstorming sessions, defining roles, and setting project milestones.
  4. 🗣️ Improving Communication Skills: Design a challenge around active listening and clear communication. Power-ups could be “Summarize a colleague’s point before replying” or “Give specific, constructive feedback.”
  5. 🏆 Sales Team Motivation: Gamify the sales process! The Epic Win could be hitting a quarterly target. Bad Guys could be “call reluctance,” and Power-Ups could be “making five extra cold calls” or “sharing a successful pitch with the team.”
  6. 🎓 Professional Development Sprints: Use SuperBetter for Game-Based Learning. Challenge your team to learn a new skill in a week. Quests could be watching tutorials, practicing the skill, and teaching it to a teammate.
  7. 🎉 Celebrating Small Wins: Create a challenge focused on gratitude and recognition. The Epic Win: “A Culture of Appreciation.” Quests can be as simple as “Publicly thank a colleague” or “Share a team success story.”

💡 How SuperBetter Boosts Team Resilience and Mental Wellness

Why does this work so well? Because it taps into the core of what makes teams strong.

  • Shared Vulnerability: By battling “Bad Guys” together (even personal ones like “anxiety” or “procrastination”), team members see that everyone faces challenges. This builds empathy and psychological safety.
  • Collective Efficacy: As the team completes quests and moves towards an Epic Win, they develop a shared belief in their ability to succeed. In the words of CEO Keith Wakeman, the goal is to “empower resilience, life skills, and mental health.”
  • Positive Reinforcement Loop: The constant stream of small wins (activating Power-Ups) keeps morale high and builds momentum, which is crucial for long-term projects and navigating stressful periods.
  • Focus on Strengths: The app helps individuals and the group track their strengths—mental, emotional, social, and physical. This shifts the focus from weaknesses to capabilities.

🛠️ Integrating SuperBetter with Other Team Building Tools and Platforms

SuperBetter is powerful, but it doesn’t have to be your only tool. Think of it as the digital layer to your overall team-building strategy.

As highlighted in a popular team-building video, a great strategy involves a mix of activities. You can use SuperBetter to supplement and track progress between physical events. For example:

  • Icebreakers & Team Outings: Use a SuperBetter challenge in the week leading up to a team outing (like go-karting or a pizza party) to build excitement. The Epic Win could be “Maximum Fun at the Team Event!”
  • Group Projects: While you manage the project on platforms like Asana or Trello, run a parallel SuperBetter challenge to maintain morale and focus on the process and well-being of the team, not just the deliverables.
  • Daily Check-ins: Integrate SuperBetter into your daily stand-ups on Slack or Microsoft Teams. Have a dedicated channel where people can share their Power-Up activations or Quest completions for the day.

The key is to see SuperBetter not as an isolated app, but as a versatile tool that enhances the activities you’re already doing.

📊 Measuring Success: Tracking Team Progress and Engagement in SuperBetter

So, how do you know if it’s working? While the Host portal provides tools for managing squads, true success is measured in both quantitative and qualitative terms.

In-App Metrics

The Host portal allows you to see the creation of squads and manage challenges. Engagement can be inferred by the activity and completion rates of the challenges you set.

Beyond the App

  • Team Morale Surveys: Before and after a challenge, send out a simple survey asking team members to rate their stress levels, sense of connection, and overall morale.
  • Qualitative Feedback: Hold a retrospective after the challenge. What did people enjoy? What “Bad Guys” were the toughest? What was the best Power-Up?
  • Observe Team Dynamics: Are people communicating more openly? Are they more supportive of each other during stressful times? These behavioral changes are the real Epic Win.

🎉 Real-Life Stories: Teams Who Nailed It Using SuperBetter

While specific corporate case studies are proprietary, the widespread adoption of SuperBetter gives us major clues about its effectiveness in group settings. The app is used by:

  • Children’s Hospitals: To help young patients and their families build resilience during treatment.
  • Substance Recovery Clinics: As a tool for groups to support each other through the challenges of recovery.
  • University Campus Health Centers: To help students manage the stress of academic life.
  • Middle and High School Teachers: For social-emotional learning (SEL) programs.

These aren’t traditional corporate “teams,” but they are groups of people facing immense challenges together. If SuperBetter can help them, it can certainly help your team navigate a tough quarter or a complex project. The principles of building resilience and fostering mutual support are universal.

⚠️ Limitations and Challenges When Using SuperBetter for Groups

We believe in a balanced perspective. SuperBetter is fantastic, but it’s not a magic wand. Here are some potential hurdles to keep in mind.

  • ❌ Requires Buy-In: If team members see it as just another “corporate task,” they won’t engage authentically. The why behind the challenge must be communicated clearly.
  • ❌ Privacy Concerns: Some employees might be hesitant to share personal challenges, even in a gamified context. It’s crucial to make participation voluntary and to use challenges that focus on professional or general wellness goals rather than deeply personal issues.
  • ❌ The “Host” Bottleneck: The success of a squad challenge often depends on the enthusiasm and commitment of the Host. If the team lead isn’t championing it, it’s likely to fizzle out.
  • ❌ Not a Replacement for Real Leadership: SuperBetter is a tool to support a positive team culture, not create one from scratch. It can’t fix fundamental issues like poor management, unclear goals, or a toxic environment.

💬 Expert Tips for Maximizing Group Challenges with SuperBetter

Want to ensure your first SuperBetter squad challenge is a certified hit? Follow these pro-tips from our gamification lab.

  1. Co-Create the Challenge: Don’t just assign a challenge from on high. Involve the team in choosing the Epic Win and brainstorming Quests. This creates instant ownership.
  2. Start Small: Begin with a simple, fun, 5-day challenge. Something like “Hydration Heroes” or “Beat the Afternoon Slump.” A quick win builds momentum for more significant challenges later.
  3. Lead by Example: The team lead must participate actively and authentically. Share your own progress, talk about the Bad Guys you’re battling, and celebrate your Power-Ups.
  4. Bridge the Digital and Physical: Create a physical leaderboard in the office. Celebrate milestones during team meetings. This makes the game feel more real and present.
  5. Focus on Fun: Remember, it’s a game! Keep the tone light. As Jane McGonigal’s work on Imaginable suggests, group games can be incredibly “useful for team bonding, generating ideas, and, of course, having fun.”

🔍 Comparing SuperBetter with Other Gamified Team Building Apps

SuperBetter is unique, but it’s not the only player in the game. How does it stack up against other platforms that use gamification for teams?

App Primary Focus Best For Key Difference from SuperBetter

SuperBetter		 Personal & Team Resilience Building mental wellness, SEL, and positive habits in small groups. Deeply rooted in psychological science for resilience.

Habitica		 Habit Tracking & Productivity Tech-savvy teams who love RPGs and want to gamify tasks. More focused on task completion with classic RPG elements (avatars, pets, gold).

YuMuuv		 Corporate Wellness Companies looking for a comprehensive, activity-based wellness program. Focuses almost exclusively on physical activity tracking and challenges.

Classcraft		 Classroom Management Educators looking to gamify their entire classroom experience. A complete Educational Gamification system, not just for challenges.

While apps like Habitica are great for gamifying a to-do list, SuperBetter’s unique strength is its focus on the internal landscape—building the mental and emotional resilience that enables a team to perform better.

Feeling supercharged to learn more? We recommend diving into the source material and exploring the wider world of gamification.

  • SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully by Jane McGonigal: The book that started it all. It provides the deep science and methodology behind the app.
  • Imaginable: How to See the Future Coming and Feel Ready for Anything by Jane McGonigal: This book is fantastic for team leaders, with exercises and games designed to foster creative thinking and future-readiness in groups.
  • The Work of Nir Eyal: His book Hooked is a must-read for understanding how to build habit-forming products, a key principle in effective gamification.
    • 👉 Shop Nir Eyal on: Amazon

✅ Conclusion: Is SuperBetter the Ultimate Team Building Tool?

After our deep dive into SuperBetter’s capabilities, features, and real-world applications, here’s the bottom line: SuperBetter is a powerful, scientifically-backed gamification platform that can absolutely be used for team building and group challenges. 🎯

Positives:

  • Scientifically validated with strong evidence from randomized controlled trials showing improvements in mental health and resilience.
  • Flexible group features via the Host Account and Squad challenges, enabling teams to collaborate on shared goals.
  • Engaging game mechanics that motivate individuals while fostering collective efficacy.
  • Wide applicability across schools, workplaces, healthcare, and community groups.
  • Low daily time commitment (~10 minutes) that fits easily into busy schedules.
  • Customization options for hosts to tailor challenges to their team’s unique needs.

Negatives:

  • The platform requires active buy-in and leadership to maximize engagement; it’s not a plug-and-play solution.
  • Some users may feel hesitant about sharing personal challenges in a group setting.
  • The team features are solid but could benefit from more competitive or collaborative game modes to enhance social dynamics further.

Our Recommendation:
If you’re looking for a well-rounded, evidence-based tool to boost team resilience, mental wellness, and engagement, SuperBetter is a top contender. It’s especially effective for teams that value psychological safety and want to build a culture of support and growth. However, it works best when paired with strong leadership and a clear purpose.

Remember the question we teased earlier: Can an app designed for personal resilience really level up your entire team? The answer is a resounding yes—provided you use it thoughtfully and intentionally.

❓ FAQ: Your Burning Questions About SuperBetter and Group Challenges Answered

How does SuperBetter enhance team building activities?

SuperBetter enhances team building by transforming individual resilience-building exercises into shared quests that foster collaboration, empathy, and mutual support. Through its Squad challenges, team members engage in daily quests, activate power-ups, and battle “Bad Guys” together, creating a shared narrative that strengthens psychological safety and collective efficacy. This gamified approach encourages open communication and builds a positive team culture beyond traditional icebreakers or workshops.

Can SuperBetter be customized for group challenges?

Absolutely! The Host Account allows team leaders or facilitators to select from over 90 pre-made challenges or create custom ones tailored to their team’s specific goals. Whether it’s improving communication, boosting wellness, or onboarding new members, hosts can design quests and power-ups that resonate with their team’s unique context. This flexibility ensures that challenges remain relevant, engaging, and aligned with organizational objectives.

What are the benefits of using SuperBetter for workplace teams?

Workplace teams benefit from SuperBetter by improving mental wellness, reducing stress, and fostering resilience—key factors for sustained productivity and job satisfaction. The app’s game mechanics promote consistent engagement through small, manageable daily actions, which help prevent burnout. Additionally, the shared experience of overcoming challenges together builds trust and camaraderie, essential ingredients for high-performing teams.

Is SuperBetter effective for remote team collaboration?

Yes, SuperBetter’s digital-first design makes it well-suited for remote teams. The mobile and web apps allow squad members to participate asynchronously, completing quests and sharing progress regardless of time zones. The Host portal enables centralized management of challenges and monitoring of engagement. While it doesn’t replace real-time communication tools like Slack or Zoom, it complements them by providing a structured, gamified framework for team cohesion and motivation.

How can SuperBetter gamify team goals and achievements?

SuperBetter gamifies team goals by framing them as “Epic Wins” that squads strive to achieve through completing quests and activating power-ups. This approach breaks down large objectives into bite-sized, actionable steps that feel rewarding. The app’s narrative elements—secret identities, battling bad guys, and rallying allies—add emotional investment and fun, turning mundane goals into compelling adventures that keep teams motivated.

What types of group challenges work best with SuperBetter?

Challenges that focus on building resilience, wellness, communication skills, and professional development tend to work best. For example, stress reduction challenges, onboarding quests, or skill-building sprints align well with the app’s mechanics. Challenges with clear, achievable Epic Wins and a mix of individual and collaborative quests maximize engagement and impact.

Can SuperBetter improve communication and motivation in teams?

Yes. By encouraging daily check-ins, sharing progress, and celebrating small wins, SuperBetter fosters open communication channels and positive reinforcement. The gamified structure motivates team members to participate actively and support one another, which can translate into improved collaboration and morale in everyday work interactions.

Ready to level up your team? SuperBetter might just be the secret weapon you’ve been searching for! 🚀

Jacob
Jacob

Jacob leads Gamification Hub™ as Editor-in-Chief, guiding a veteran team of gamification engineers who blend game design, behavior psychology, UX, and data analysis into clear, actionable playbooks. His editorial focus: evidence-based frameworks, case studies, and step-by-step techniques that boost engagement in classrooms, clinics, workplaces, and marketing funnels. Jacob sets high standards for research rigor, open-web access, and reader trust—prioritizing transparent recommendations and practical takeaways you can deploy today.

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