The integration of digital games into diverse aspects of human culture has led to a paradigm shift in their utilization beyond mere entertainment. This doctoral thesis explores the challenges in designing effective gameful systems and presents a novel solution, GamiDOC, to address these challenges. The research begins by identifying elements that interfere with the design of gameful systems and subsequently affect their effectiveness. Scientometric analyses reveal the need for systematic and standardized methodologies in gamification design. Challenges such as users’ interpersonal differences, goal disparities, contextual variations, and feedback modalities are thoroughly examined. In response to these challenges, GamiDOC is introduced as a tool to support designers and developers throughout the design, development, and evaluation phases of gameful systems. The tool is built on a Design for Science Research Method (DSRM) approach, providing a systematic and holistic framework. GamiDOC includes features such as a gamification design framework, a peer-review procedure, code generation, an open-access database, and a guideline for data collection and analysis. The effectiveness of GamiDOC is assessed through empirical studies and real-case applications. User feedback demonstrates the tool’s usefulness in addressing challenges during the design phase, supporting decision-making processes, and enhancing overall development and evaluation. Real-case applications include the design and evaluation of a Virtual Reality (VR) gameful system for teaching UML and a serious game promoting environmental awareness. Despite the promising results, the thesis acknowledges the need for further development and evaluation of GamiDOC’s components. Future work involves refining features, resolving ethical constraints, and conducting more comparisons with alternative methodologies. In conclusion, this dissertation contributes to the understanding of challenges in gamification design and offers a practical solution in the form of GamiDOC. The presented tool, still under development, shows potential in guiding designers and developers towards creating more effective and engaging gameful systems, contributing to the ongoing evolution of gamification in various domains.