Hu Jin

Through quantitative data of games on the mobile app stores, we saw an opportunity to create a mobile boxing game due to an apparent lack and need for skill based boxing games in the market. I conducted a competitive analysis of the few most popular boxing and fighting games on the app stores to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Personas of our target audience were then created through light user research from interviewing mobile gamers and user reviews of popular competitive mobile games in the app stores.

The research identified common trends and user insights that helped with our project scope. Using an impact/effort matrix, we defined some key features to include in our MVP game:

I organized and structured the content to show clarity of user location and ensure features are easily accessible. This also allowed the team to visualize the user flows in the the menus and in-game.

The visuals were to be energetic, creative, and fun to draw players in. I created a moodboard of various mobile and non-mobile games to draw inspirations from, discover unique personalities and better understand current trends. I felt the art direction of our game would work best with visuals that are: stylized, colorful, modern and whimsical. The clean and fun visuals would attract both casual and avid player base. It would also reduce the development time for in-game asset creation and opitimzation.

After taking inspiration from the moodboard and reviewing the IA sitemap, I created wireframes of the UI to gain better clarity of the functionality, layout, and usability of the game with the team. From there, I created high fidelity mockups of the UI and manipulated any in-game 3D assets as needed to convey the final look and functionality of every screen.

Keeping the UI simple and approachable for both casual and avid gamers was our top priority. To make sure new players can navigate through the menus with ease, I tried to keep the amount of options on each screen to a minimum. Certain colors and events were selectively used to highlight important information and guide the players forward.

The design of the HUD for our mobile game required alot of attention to size and position of elements relative to the variable device real estates. The challenge is making sure important elements and events are always visible to the player, while at the same time, players interactions are intuitive, simple, and pleasant.

Various art assets were created for the game and the menu UI, which includes artworks for the modes, duffel bags, traits, and customization item images. To keep the overall look and feel consistent, I kept the art direction of the various artworks stylized, graphical and a bit whimsical.

Resource constraints and game’s performance are also constant concerns, so the art assets needed to be well opitimized and conform to a certain standard in order to reduce clutter and waste. Whenever possible, I try to design UI assets that can be 9-sliced and reused. Some art assets need to be separated further into parts due to its complexity and in order to create certain button animation effects, such as a shine effect for a certain element.

I created early concept artworks of the main player boxer, as well as, various player customization outfits and accessories. This would allow the player to personalize their fighter through outfits and accessories that can be unlocked as they play. I tried to be creative with the concept designs to emphasize the whimsical nature of our game.

We explored what was possible visually and technically, while considering our limited resources for asset creation. The goal was to create a collection of unique item pieces quickly and efficiently for players to unlock and customize their personal boxer.

Game development is still on-going, we continue to do regular player testing and gather further feedback from gamers. Players like how quickly they can start a multiplayer session without internet. They are generally impressed by the game performance and the fluidity of the gameplay mechanics. They also enjoy the whimsical and fun customization outfits and gear.

The game has come a long way and I can't wait for it to be released soon!