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Mastering Retention Podcast

Ep.62: UX Game Design tips for Maximum Satisfaction

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqg7HoStuY8⁠

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🎙️ Mastering Retention Podcast: The Importance of UX/UI in Game Development with Christina Miles

Host: Tom Hammond, Co-founder of UserWise

Guest: Christina Miles, UX/UI Designer at Electric Square

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Introduction

👋 About Christina Miles:

UX/UI Designer at Electric Square.

Background in user experience, UI design for web and applications, and graphic design.

Worked on games like CSR Classics and Detonation Racing.

Entered the gaming industry accidentally but found a passion for it.

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Journey into the Gaming Industry

🎮 Accidental Entry:

Applied for a job close to home without realizing it was in gaming.

First project was CSR Classics, a top-grossing game at the time.

Took a year off to pursue a master's in communication design but returned to gaming.

🧠 Background and Skills:

Combines user experience with graphic design expertise.

Enjoys the dynamic nature of game development over traditional applications.

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Understanding UX/UI in Games

🖌️ Definition of User Experience (UX):

Encompasses everything the player sees, thinks, and interacts with.

Involves how players navigate through screens and receive feedback.

Goes beyond buttons to include environmental design and game communication.

🔍 Importance of UX:

Critical for player retention, especially during the first-time user experience (FTUE).

A well-designed UX reduces player drop-off and enhances engagement.

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Problem-Solving in UX/UI

🛠️ Case Study: Detonation Racing

Identified confusion in post-race screens due to overwhelming rewards and information.

Worked on simplifying the UI to make rewards and progression clearer.

Adjusted animations, feedback mechanisms, and consistency in visual elements.

📋 Approach to UX Challenges:

Align with game designers to understand goals and player demographics.

Consider when and how players engage with the game.

Utilize playtests, both internal and with target audiences, to gather feedback.

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Collaboration and Processes

🤝 Working with UX Designers:

Essential to involve UX/UI designers early in the development process.

UX designers help in aligning game mechanics with player expectations.

They contribute to marketing assets like screenshots and promo videos.

📝 Planning and Documentation:

Create wireframes and flowcharts to map out user journeys.

Documenting flows helps prevent costly mistakes and misalignments later on.

Facilitates communication among team members and stakeholders.

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Localization and Accessibility

🌐 Designing for Multiple Languages:

Consider text length variations in different languages (e.g., German, Russian).

Choose fonts that support various character sets, including non-Latin scripts.

Test UI elements with translated text to ensure readability and layout integrity.

↔️ Right-to-Left Languages:

Implement code solutions to flip UI layouts for languages like Arabic.

Collaborate with localization teams to handle language-specific challenges.

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Planning for Future Features

🔮 Anticipating Growth:

Design UI with scalability in mind to accommodate future features and live events.

Avoid clutter by planning where new elements will integrate into existing flows.

Flexibility in design allows for smoother updates and better user experiences over time.

🎯 Inclusion in Live Ops:

UX/UI designers should be involved in planning live operations and events.

Their input ensures that new features integrate seamlessly with the game's UI.

Early collaboration helps in estimating resources and timelines effectively.

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Importance of Feedback Mechanisms

🔔 Trigger Points and Feedback:

Design trigger-based actions (e.g., unlocking rewards after specific player actions).

Use consistent visual and audio cues to enhance player understanding.

Group similar feedback types to create intuitive learning experiences for players.

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Retention Strategies

💡 Tips for Enhancing Retention:

Focus on polishing features to provide a smooth and enjoyable experience.

A well-crafted FTUE can significantly improve day-one and day-seven retention rates.

Regularly update and refine the user experience to re-engage returning players.

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Conclusion

🌟 Final Thoughts:

UX/UI design is integral to game development and should not be an afterthought.

Early involvement of UX designers leads to better alignment and a superior product.

Flexibility and foresight in design contribute to long-term player satisfaction.

📞 Connecting with Christina:

LinkedIn: Reach out to Christina Miles for further questions or networking opportunities.

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