Sol O Fun – Shinhan Bank Gamification Hub Transforming Banking Into an Interactive City

Instead of adding a simple mini game into the app, Shinhan Bank chose a bigger direction.

They wanted to create a space.

A place where users don’t just perform actions, but explore, interact, and “walk through” experiences inside the banking app itself.

Leap Studio, together with Woay, brought that vision to life through Sol O Fun – a gamification hub designed as a miniature city, where each building plays a distinct role in the overall user journey.

IMPLEMENT PROCESS

From the beginning, the goal was not to build disconnected features.

It was to create a connected world.

Sol O Fun was designed as a navigable city, where users enter and naturally explore different areas instead of choosing from traditional menus.

Each building is not just a function.

It is a destination.

Step 1 – Build A World, Not Just Features

At its core, Sol O Fun transforms banking behaviors into exploratory experiences.

The Store Building becomes a place where users truly feel the value of their reward points. Instead of a standard redemption flow, they “enter” and browse items or vouchers as if shopping.

The Event Building acts as a dynamic hub. Campaigns, seasonal activities, and mission systems live here. Users not only participate in events, but also complete banking actions such as transfers or savings to earn more points and additional game turns.

The Achievement Building introduces recognition. Leaderboards allow users to see their ranking, creating a light sense of competition that encourages continued engagement.

Each building functions independently.

But together, they form a complete engagement loop.

Step 2 – Turn Games Into Collection Journeys

Within Sol O Fun, games are not just for entertainment.

They are designed as collection-driven journeys.

In Flappy Lay, players guide Lay – Shinhan’s bird mascot – through familiar Vietnamese landmarks. Each session is not only about avoiding obstacles, but also about collecting items that contribute to a growing collection.

In Moli Running, the experience shifts into motion. Moli runs through different environments, gathering iconic local foods along the way. Each collected item becomes part of a larger collection system.

Both games share the same philosophy:

Short play sessions.
Long-term progression.

Users can play in minutes, but always have a reason to come back.

Step 3 – Connect Behavior With Motivation

What makes Sol O Fun effective is not just the city interface, but how everything connects behind the scenes.

Banking actions do not exist in isolation.

When users perform transactions or use financial services, they earn reward points.
These points unlock gameplay opportunities or can be redeemed for benefits.
Gameplay then feeds back into leaderboards and collection systems.

Everything connects into a continuous loop:

Explore → Engage → Earn → Play → Return.

And because all of this happens within a “city”, the experience feels natural rather than forced.

Step 4 – Make It Part Of The Product

A gamification hub can easily feel fragmented without careful design.

Leap Studio and Woay focused on maintaining consistency across the entire experience.

Gameplay and interactions feel smooth and unified.
The visual language is controlled – not overly “game-like”, preserving the trust and clarity expected from a financial application.

The result is not a collection of features.

It is a cohesive experience layer within Shinhan’s app.

Expert Insights

Sol O Fun demonstrates a different approach to gamification.

Users do not engage more simply because there is a game.
They engage more when they feel part of a meaningful system.

When features become “places”,
and actions become “journeys”,

a product evolves beyond utility.

It becomes an experience.

Team / Credits

• Game Designers – Designed gameplay systems and collection mechanics
• Art Team – Built the city and visual system aligned with Shinhan’s brand
• Game Developers – Developed the hub and mini games
• Integration Engineers – Connected gamification logic with banking systems

Leap does not just build mini games.
We create experience ecosystems.

CTA

What if your app was not just a tool,
but a place users want to explore and return to every day?

Talk to Leap Studio – and turn your product into a meaningful user experience.