Men in Black 3

The Project:

My involvement in this project was as the head of UX/UI for a Men in Black (MIB) first-person shooter (FPS) mobile game. I joined the project midway through its development because the publisher had expressed concerns regarding the usability of the product. The development studio, Eightpixelsquare, had not previously established a dedicated UX process or practice, with game designers handling UX-related tasks.

The Process:

• Implementing a Design > UX > UI Pipeline: Upon joining the project, I introduced a structured design pipeline that placed an emphasis on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). This shift in approach was essential to address the usability concerns and ensure a user-centered development process.

• Utilizing User Flows, Wireframes, and Prototyping: To bring the game in line with user expectations, I employed user flows, wireframes, and rapid prototyping using Proto.io. These tools were instrumental in visualizing and validating the game’s design documents, ensuring that they aligned with the desired user experience.

• Establishing a Dedicated UX/UI Team: Recognizing the importance of a user-focused development approach, I spearheaded the creation of a dedicated UX/UI team comprising three members. This team was tasked with driving the project’s UX/UI enhancements and ensuring consistency throughout the game.

• Providing Art Direction for UI: My role extended to providing art direction for the UI elements. I drew inspiration from games like CSR2 and conducted research to develop the concept for the game map, adding depth and visual appeal to the user interface.

Final Thoughts:

• Successful Relaunch with User-Focused Design: The relaunch of the product, following the implementation of the new user-focused design process and the establishment of a dedicated UX/UI team, yielded positive results. Testing with players confirmed the improvements, and the publisher expressed satisfaction with the outcome. This demonstrated the effectiveness of incorporating UX/UI practices into the development pipeline.

• Desire for Earlier Involvement: While the project achieved success with the new approach, there remained a desire for earlier involvement. Joining the project earlier would have provided the opportunity to exert more influence on the core game experience, potentially addressing usability issues at an earlier stage and shaping the game’s design from the ground up.

In conclusion, this project showcased the transformative power of integrating UX/UI practices into the development of a mobile game, even when introduced midway through the project. The successful relaunch and positive reception underscored the importance of prioritizing the user experience and implementing a structured development process to address usability concerns.

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