CannonBrawl
I led the UX team and collaborated with other teams to create a TouchTable PVP ship-battle experience.
Our game CannonBrawl won the Design Award for Galactic Excellence (presented by Volition) at Fuse 2022.
Case Study
Problem Statement
The rise of tabletop gaming experiences, coupled with advancements in touch technology, led to the demand for engaging and interactive multiplayer games on platforms like TouchTable. With limited offerings in the strategic PvP (Player vs. Player) genre, an opportunity existed to craft a memorable ship-battle experience, bringing fun and memorable naval warfare into the modern gaming realm.
Objective
Design a captivating, user-friendly, and strategic ship-battle PvP game tailored for the TouchTable platform, ensuring the game remains accessible for novices while providing depth for seasoned players.
Design Process
Our team started with brainstorming sessions and hand-drawn sketches to map out the core gameplay mechanics and user interactions. We then transitioned our ideas into Figma, where we developed high-fidelity wireframes and the initial game prototype. Focusing on intuitive controls and visually engaging elements, we crafted an interface that leveraged the TouchTable’s multi-touch capabilities.
Development in Unity
Once the design was solidified, we moved into Unity to develop and test the game within the engine. This phase involved extensive testing to ensure smooth gameplay and responsive controls, creating a dynamic PvP environment that was both fun and easy to navigate. We incorporated detailed feedback from internal playtesting to refine the game mechanics and enhance the overall user experience.
User Testing
To validate our design, we conducted extensive user testing with a diverse group of players. We observed how they interacted with the game and gathered feedback on everything from controls to the overall gameplay experience. Insights from these sessions were invaluable in optimizing the user interface, adding additional features, and enhancing game balance to ensure a fun and accessible experience for all players.
Outcome
The project was a huge success. Our PvP ship-battle game not only delivered an immersive and engaging experience when presented to the public, but also won the Galactic Excellence Design Award presented by Volition at the Fuse Interactive Media Event in 2022. Held at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, IL, the event recognized our innovative design approach and ability to create a captivating, user-friendly game that stood out among the competition.
Supporting Media
Tools & Skills Used
Tools
Figma: Utilized for crafting low-fidelity wireframes, early interactive prototypes, and facilitating real-time feedback for rapid iteration
Adobe Illustrator: Leveraged to design custom elements, iconography, and the mood board
Unity: Transitioned and developed wireframes into official prototype on game engine
Google Products: (Sheets, Forms, Calendars, Drive, etc.) for conducting and organizing user interviews, scheduling sessions, and collecting feedback
Skills
UX Leadership: Led the UX team through every stage of the design process and development
Information architecture Design: Orchestrated the logical structure and organization of the application’s content and functions in Figma and FigJam
Persona creation: Developed detailed user personas to encapsulate the needs, preferences, and pain points of the target audience
User interviewing and testing: Conducted thorough user interviews to gather qualitative data about user needs, challenges, and expectations
Unity Development: Helped develop robust code for our application. I helped to integrate physics, animations, and interactive elements. It was my first time working with this engine
Mockups and Wireframes: Crafted detailed wireframes that laid the groundwork for user interfaces, outlining the structural arrangement of elements
Presentation: Presented our game to the public during an Interactive Media event (Fuse 2022) at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Additionally, we won the Design Award for Galactic Excellence presented by Volition.