Op-Ed: Understanding UX Design And Why It Matters In Gaming
UX design is becoming increasingly important in the gaming industry as more studios and developers are investing in it in recent years.
User experience (UX) design is a process used to improve the satisfaction of users with a product by making it more user-friendly and efficient. The goal of UX design is to create a product that is easy to use and enjoyable for the user. And in the gaming industry, creating an enjoyable, immersive, and user-friendly gaming experience also requires good UX design.
A good UX design can make the difference between a successful game and a flop. UX design focuses on understanding the players’ needs, behaviors, and expectations and creating a design that caters to those needs.
This involves designing interfaces, controls, and game mechanics that are intuitive and easy to understand, creating a seamless and immersive game experience. It also involves understanding player motivation, engagement, and emotions and designing game elements that trigger those feelings.
This goes a long way to help to improve player retention and engagement, as players are more likely to enjoy and continue playing games that are easy to use, have a clear and intuitive interface, and offer an engaging and rewarding experience.
Furthermore, in today’s competitive gaming industry, where players have a wide variety of games to choose from, game developers must focus on creating a positive user experience to stand out from the competition.
Toon Blast, a popular mobile puzzle game developed and published by Peak Games, really capitalizes on UX design. The free-to-play game available on iOS and Android platforms, since its release in 2017, has gained a significant following and has been downloaded millions of times worldwide. Let’s explore some aspects of Toon Blast’s UX design.
In Toon Blast, players embark on a colorful cartoon adventure by solving a variety of puzzles. The objective of each level is to clear a board filled with colorful cubes by matching two or more of the same color. Players achieve this by tapping on groups of adjacent cubes of the same color, causing them to disappear and trigger cascading reactions.
It has Intuitive Gameplay. Toon Blast excels in providing a straightforward and intuitive gameplay experience. Without a player being told directly what to do, or what not to do, the player figures out how to solve the game’s obstaclesThe core mechanics of tapping on matching cubes are easy to understand, making the game accessible to a wide range of players. The game gradually introduces new elements and challenges as players progress, ensuring a smooth learning curve without overwhelming the user.
Visual Design and Feedback are established in the puzzle game. Toon Blast features vibrant and visually appealing graphics that enhance the overall gaming experience. The use of bright colors, distinct character designs, and animated effects create an engaging and enjoyable atmosphere. Additionally, the game provides visual feedback when cubes are matched or power-ups are activated, reinforcing the player’s actions and giving them a sense of accomplishment.
Responsive and Fluid Interactions are other factors to keep note of. Toon Blast prioritizes responsive and fluid interactions to provide a seamless gaming experience. When players tap on cubes, the response is immediate, creating a sense of control and responsiveness. The game also employs smooth animations and transitions between levels, maintaining a sense of continuity and preventing jarring interruptions.
Level Design and Progression features in the game. Toon Blast’s level design is carefully crafted to provide a sense of challenge and accomplishment. The game introduces a variety of puzzle layouts, obstacles, and objectives, ensuring that players encounter new and interesting challenges as they progress. The difficulty gradually ramps up, allowing players to develop their skills and strategies over time.
Power-up Feedback and Integration. Toon Blast’s power-ups are designed to provide a satisfying and impactful experience. When players activate a power-up, the visual and audio feedback is prominent, making it visually pleasing and rewarding. The game integrates power-ups strategically within the levels, encouraging players to think tactically and plan their moves to create powerful combos and clear challenging puzzles.
Social Integration! Toon Blast incorporates social features that enhance the overall experience for players. By joining or creating teams, players can engage in cooperative gameplay, compete in team-based events, and interact with other players. This social integration fosters a sense of community and provides opportunities for collaboration and friendly competition.
Reward Systems and Progression are employed by the game makers. Toon Blast employs a reward system that keeps players engaged and motivated. By completing levels, players earn stars and unlock new episodes, providing a sense of progress and accomplishment. The game also includes daily rewards, bonuses, and challenges, offering additional incentives for regular play.
Microtransactions and Monetization. Toon Blast employs a freemium model with optional in-app purchases. While players can progress and enjoy the game without spending money, purchasing coins for power-ups, extra moves, or lives is available. The balance between providing value for free players and offering convenience for those who choose to make purchases is an important aspect of the game’s monetization strategy.
Toon Blast demonstrates effective UX design by combining intuitive gameplay, visually pleasing graphics, responsive interactions, well-designed levels, and integrated social features. These elements contribute to an enjoyable and engaging gaming experience, encouraging players to return to the game and share it with others.
Now, we realize that UX should not just be limited to digital products like mobile apps, websites, or software. UX is crucial for different products be they digital or physical.
During the UX design journey, the UX designer should be prepared to engage in extensive research as that forms the foundation of UX. Research helps game developers and designers know their users’ behavior and can help them achieve their goals while providing them with a good experience.
The UX design process begins with the Concept and Ideation stage and continues through the stages of Design, Pre-production, Production, Signals, Feedback, and Onboarding. Usability, and Ergonomics. All these processes help the game creators understand who the players are, and what they are looking for. UX design helps develop wireframes and prototypes and involves several tests with players to check the gameplay, narrative, and initial understanding of the game. UX design helps creators to identify what needs to be adjusted and make the appropriate changes. It also defines the tutorial and how to introduce players to the game and its story and allows players to create familiarity with the features.
In conclusion, UX design plays a crucial role in the gaming industry, shaping the overall experience and influencing player engagement and satisfaction. It goes beyond aesthetics and focuses on creating intuitive, immersive, and user-friendly interactions between players and games.
A well-executed UX design ensures that players can easily understand and navigate the game mechanics, controls, and objectives through intuitive onboarding and clear interfaces. Responsive controls and smooth animations contribute to a seamless and immersive experience, enhancing the sense of control and agency.
Feedback mechanisms, such as visual and auditory cues, provide immediate and meaningful responses, reinforcing players’ actions and helping them understand the impact of their decisions. Well-designed progression and reward systems motivate players and offer a sense of accomplishment, keeping them engaged and invested in the game.
Moreover, UX design promotes inclusivity and accessibility by considering the diverse needs of players. Customizable controls, adjustable difficulty levels, and options for colorblind players are just a few examples of how UX design can create a more inclusive gaming environment.
By involving players in the design process through playtesting and feedback collection, UX design iteratively improves the game, addressing pain points and enhancing the overall user experience.
In a competitive gaming landscape, UX design sets games apart, attracting and retaining players, and fostering a loyal fan base. It contributes to positive word-of-mouth, driving the success of a game and potentially influencing the reputation of the studio or developer.
Ultimately, UX design is not just about creating visually appealing games; it is about crafting experiences that captivate players, evokes emotions, and leave a lasting impression. By prioritizing user needs and delivering exceptional user experiences, UX design is a fundamental pillar that elevates gaming to new heights.
