FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
ENVIRONMENT DESIGN
FUTURISTIC DYSTOPIAN WORLD
The game is set in a cyberpunk world spanning across multiple planets.
Each planet presents a unique blend of advanced technology and decaying infrastructure, reflecting a society struggling to survive amid chaos. Neon-lit cities with towering skyscrapers contrast with dark alleys filled with debris and hidden dangers.
* All images were created using Midjourney.
CHARACTER DESIGN
STARRING CARA MARTINEZ
The game features a brave and resourceful hacker, Cara Martinez.
Cara is a young girl with vibrant pink hair, striking big eyes, and a cyborg form, characterised by determined personality and pure heart.
Her arsenal includes shurikens as her primary weapon, a protective barrier, an electric bolt for heavy attacks, and a EMP hack ultimate ability that spawns an electro-magnetic rocket upon cast.
* All heroes were created using Midjourney.
MAIN INSIGHT
THEME I
THEME II
CLUTTERED INTERFACE AND UNCLEAR IN-GAME NAVIGATION AS KEY PAIN POINTS
CLUTTERED INTERFACE
UNCLEAR IN-GAME NAVIGATION
Players often experience UI overload, leading to decreased engagement and poor M2M
These issues interfere with players’ ability to progress effectively, and make players feel lost and confused
Key issues include small unreadable text and excessive on-screen elements
Specific challenges include poorly designed environmental cues and inconsistent quest markers
USER INTERVIEWS
To shape the app’s design more, I focused on (1) understanding user frustrations and fears, (2) identifying barriers and aligning with user (3) hopes and goals. Based on these objectives, I conducted user interviews, allowing me to create a detailed affinity map.
85% OF INTERVIEWEES FEEL OVERWHELMED BY CLUTTERED UI
45%
require frequent content updates to be engaged
50%
stopped playing due
to repetitive content
60%
reported unclear or poorly designed cues
70%
found the navigation challenging
75%
desire customisable UI elements
85%
are overwhelmed by cluttered UI
PROVISIONAL PERSONAS
POTENTIAL AUDIENCE OF CODEBREAKERS
I started my process with educated guesses about the target audience based on my industry knowledge and market research, to help me set initial directions before I created research-based personas.
ALEX
SARAH
CT-300
Casual Explorer
Time-Conscious Gamer
Hardcore Enthusiast
Plays games to relax
Has limited time due to work, family or other commitments
Devotes a substantial amount of time to gaming
Prefers straightforward and accessible gameplay
Seeks games offering engaging experiences, without extensive time investment
Enjoys challenging gameplay and mastering mechanics
MARKET RESEARCH
COMPETITORS STRUGGLE WITH RPG OVERLOAD DUE TO COMPLICATED GAME MECHANICS AND SYSTEMS, LEADING TO COMPLEX DESIGN COMBINATIONS
Based on tha fact I learned during my white paper research, I conducted competitor analysis on a three top mobile RPG competitors.
...”UPDATE PATCHES ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW THE PLAYER FEEDBACK AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF CLUTTERED INTERFACE”
WHITE PAPER RESEARCH
RPG “OVERLOAD”
...”GETTING THROUGH THE CLUTTER OF MODERN RPG GAMES IS MORE DIFFICULT THAN ACTUALLY PLAYING THEM”
I started my process with a white paper research.
I researched the community insights, motivations and problems related to RPG overload, as I came across the Reddit discussion between users -
SOLUTION
CONTEXTUAL HUDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CUES HELP DECLUTTER UI
Contextual HUDs will:
Enhance UX via eliminating confusion through focusing
Facilitate an intuitive and smoother M2M gameplay (exploration, combat)
Environmental Cues will:
Increase immersion via making the exploration feel like a seamless natural adventure
Reduce the sense of separation between the game world and the interface
CLUTTERED INTERFACE IS THE MAIN PROBLEM OF MOBILE RPG GAMES
Mobile RPG games often struggle to balance the interface due to
complex storylines, plentiful abilities or challenging game mechanics.
With multiple icons, menus, and notifications requiring attention, players can feel overwhelmed and distracted during the gameplay.
PROBLEM
CODEBREAKERS
DEFAULT
PRESSED
COOLDOWN
ICONS
UI ELEMENTS