sync on Gaming

Connecting the gaming world to reality.

Gaming Mobile App

Specificiations

Overview

The world of MMORPGs(massively multiplayer online role-playing games) are endless, beautiful, engaging and full of life. People turn to gaming as a means of escape, Sync On Gaming brings gamers together in the real world where they can make new friends or embark on missions.
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Sync On is a game app that connects the gaming world to the real world. Gamers can obtain unique goods through real-world experiences, such as exploring, questing, and exchanging Sync Cards. The goods that are obtained can be used to improve the overall gameplay for gamers. These experiences encourage gamers to make new friends, explore interesting places, and change the way the game.
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Responsibilities & Tools

User Research, Prototyping, Visual Design, Figma, Adobe CC

July - November 2019

Conclusion

The Solution

A gaming app to bridge the gap between the real world and the gaming world. Encourage gamers to break away from the vicious cycle created by MMORPGs, with a sense of accomplishment.

Gamers can feel like they are progressing in life and not rely on gaming as a means of escape. A balance between gaming and real life, gamers should enjoy both worlds. A sense of bonding that does not require the gaming world. A feeling of being accepted without people being judgmental.

See ProcessFinal Design
progression

"Time to grind some levels!"

MMORPGs help build confidence in people, it brings people together. The virtual life brings great joy to many, defeating monsters, leveling up, hunting and playing with others. The world isn’t so boring when compared to reality, there’s so much going on that people can lose their selves.

However, excessive gaming leads to unhealthy social behaviors, such as spending less time with family or friends. It starts to deteriorate ones life slowly, as a gamer becomes more and more immersed in the virtual world that the real world becomes the secondary life. There is a vicious cycle that is created in online games that keeps gamers from leaving.

Sync On Gaming Objectives
  • Creating new friendships, and meeting other gamers in real life.
  • Break the vicious cycle and have gamers enjoy real world events.
  • The real world has a lot to offer, and can be just as rewarding.
User Research

Literary Review

MMORPGs are endless Online games, there is no end to the game, because of its “system of goals and achievements”. People spend time leveling up their character, collecting materials, earning money, upgrading gear and becoming stronger.

According to a research from the University of Missouri, escapism, social interaction and rewards are the key factors that lead to videogame addiction, this is especially true for MMORPGs.

Survey Studies

People turn to gaming as a means of escape, whether it’s for entertainment, relieving stress, challenges, or simply being the person they want to be. Gaming has always been there for gamers, but at the same time, there are those who are consumed by gaming.

In my survey of 739 gamers, the core age group I focused on were 21-28 years old and this is what I learned:

See Survey Results

MMORPG Analysis

What are the popular MMORPGs gamers are playing? And what makes them unique? Many of these games allow users to create and customize their characters, along with stories and quest.

World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft (WoW) is one of the most played MMORPGs since its launch day in 2004. With a population of more than 11.5 million subscribers. World of Warcraft takes place in Azeroth, approximately four years after the events at the conclusion of Blizzard’s previous Warcraft release, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.

Features: P2P, Story, Quests, Guilds, Instances, Character Customization, Expansions, Player vs. Player, Mounts, Cash Shop
Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy launched in 2013, with a population of 20 million plus subscribers. It features a unique system where gamers can switch between multiple classes and filling roles. The game takes place in Eorzea, where the player escapes a catastrophe but now has to deal with the impending threat of the Garlean Empire from the north.

Features: P2P, Story, Quest, Guilds, Instances, Character Customization, Expansions, Player vs. Player, Flexible Progression System, Cash Shop
Tera

TERA is an epic fantasy MMORPG experience launched in 2011 with 17 million registered players. It is fast paced and features real time combat mechanics. Gamers have to adapt to situations and be more responsive during battles. This game takes place in the world of Arborea, imbuing the land with peace and tranquility. However a war is about was about to start between the titans.

Features: F2P, Story, Quest, Guilds, Instances, Character Customization, True Action Combat, Player vs. Player, Expansion, Cash Shop

Interview Insights

Why do people spend so much time playing online games? I interviewed an expert and a gamer to get a better understanding of what goes on in their minds. Games are designed and structured in such a way that they can keep people gaming for hours with ease.

  • Players like unlocking new skills when they level up, this creates a sense of progression.
  • Brining people together who share a common interest, a community.
  • Facing new dungeons, or raids, players like a good challenge.

Even though I have real life friends, I feel like I can relate more and enjoy myself more with the people that share the same interest of playing games with me. Gaming is a huge part of my life so it is easy for me to befriend others who share this interest. The interests I share with real life friends are nowhere near this level.

Erika T.

Pandan

It's to make friends and create good memories. "What do I do to create good memories?" can't be answered by anyone but you. In MMORPGs, my most cherished memories are plays/blunders, lucky drops/procs, world firsts, guild events, finding hidden/difficult to reach areas, acquiring my favorite equips, building a reputation in the community, making weird builds work, climbing the PvP ladder, role-playing a character, and misc fun you have with people when you can freely chat.

Taylor R.

Nydaweth

Expert Insights

Some key insights from my interview with Shauvan Scott a family therapist specializing in PC gaming and interactive media. She shares her experiences in dealing with gamers who are addicted to MMORPGs.

  • MMORPGs have a brilliant reinforcement system, where players get rewarded constantly just for playing.
  • When players level up, they feel like they are progressing. They get new skills, unlock new weapons and a new goal.
  • Every task you complete, you earn some amount of currency and its very similar to gambling.
  • Social responsibilities when people create guilds, clans, or various alliances are very complex.
  • Games don't want to be left behind, and will play longer hours to keep up with friends of guild mates.

Maybe real life is very disappointing, real life is in many case very difficult for people; they don’t have many choices, a lot of potential perhaps in primary life. So why not go into the virtual world basically where anyone could succeed, if they spend enough time there and develop skills in the virtual world.

Shauvan Scott

Family Therapist

Competitive Analysis

These are some mobile apps that create a unique gaming experience for gamers in the real world.

  • All apps  rely on the use of GPS for exploration.
  • People can play with other gamers when exploring, or join up for team events.
  • Users can interact with the real world, like going to a land mark or finding hidden objects
Pokemon Go

Players can explore the real world and encounter Pokemon that they can catch. Different types of Pokemon will appear depending on where they are and what time. The idea encourages players to travel around the real world to catch Pokemon in the game.

Features: GPS, Collecting, Leveling, Battling, Factions, AR, Photos, Character Customization
Ingress

Sets up a game where users can travel to a portal, which are usually a piece of art work created by people. This creates a unique experience in showing appreciation to human achievements and for the users to learn more about it while playing the game.

Features: GPS, Collecting, Leveling, Battling, Faction, AR, Exploration
Geocaching

An outdoor recreational activity, where users can find hidden treasures called "geocaches". The app uses GPS to set up a hide and seek kind of game for its users. There are many geocaches all over the world.

Features: Exploration, Hidden Treasure, Game, Group Activity, Tracking, Different Difficulties.

Personas

I wanted to know more about my users, and developed a personas based off my findings. My main object was to identify these patterns and pain points. A gamer can spend countless hours a week playing games, so how does it affect their life? That was one of the biggest questions.

ideation

Concept

A app that connects with the gaming world, players can meet up with people and do real world events. Complete the quest and get rewarded special items in their online games. Players can also create their own unique character cards and exchange them with other gamers for unique rewards.

  • Coming together for a common goal.
  • Changing the cycle, that is created by the MMORPGs.
  • Continuous exploration for new rewards.
  • Friendship development, meet those behind the screen, and trade character cards.
  • Phone app and desktop platform to bridge the connection between the worlds.

App Map

Piecing together and defining what screens my users want when using this app. The core goal of this app is to bring gamers together and to create a fun experience away from the virtual world.

User Flow

Here's a scenarios that highlights the events that Emily will experience when using the app. She will go through an interactive expedience in teaming up with other gamers to beat a event.

Sketches

The idea of creating a game like app took a lot of work and planning, I looked over my app map and looked at similar apps to get an idea. I wanted it to focus on the goal of taking the gamer out and interacting with gamers. The most challenging part was planning the experience, how do I get the users to interact with one another and to work as a team. And how could I create this experience? Many MMORPGS have party systems from 3-5 members and they usually focus on gathering or hunting mobs. So I took this idea and created a similar experience in the real world.

  • 1. Home Page - Stats + Quest
  • 2. Quest Location + Map
  • 3. Check In / QR Scan
  • 4. Party - Members / Chat / Tracker
  • 5. Quest Completion - Loot
  • 6. Add Friends

Lo-Fidelity Wireframes

I worked on a set of wireframes and examined different ways of implanting sections, I wanted the user's to have an enjoyable experience when navigating through the app.

Iterated on design after getting feed back on the first pass.

Testing and User Feedback

Study Type: Unmoderated
Usability Study Location: the United States, Remote ( Home )
Participants: 5 participants, each completing the study individually.
Duration: 5-10mins based on prompt

Created a affinity map based on my user testing. These were some of the insights and pain points I have identified.

Revisions

The information I uncovered helped me rework my screens to provide a better experience. I re-examined these pain points and put myself in my user’s shoes. I wanted my user’s to have a clear goal that made sense and that would keep them on track. 

  • Simplified home screen to focus on core objectives.
  • Character info removed since it has no impact on game.
  • Users can easily check out dailies and challenges.
  • Menu updated removed Store and added in Quest.
  • Store can be triggered by Points tab under Profile Photo.
  • Users can now input time to easily filter out events.
  • Reworked event listing for better flow.
  • Reward list has been removed and added to event info.
  • Gamers can create their own party or play with new gamers.
  • Difficulty info will be displayed in Location Image.
  • Gamers can see how many people are in party.
  • Waiting tab, Gamer can see whose in team.
  • Minor adjustment and timer added to check in.
  • QR tracker is now easier to follow.
  • QR tracker also works as QR scanner trigger.
  • Cleaned up Chat, to be easier to scroll through.
  • Rewards are now universal and not limited to MMOs.
  • Rewards: Points, Badges, Perks and Exp Booster.
  • Exp / Level up Pop up will show up after Next.
  • Add Photo feature for Team Photo.
  • Added Exp Multiplier for adding new Friends.
  • Cleaned up Friends screen.

Platform Integration

A one stop platform for gamers, a great way to find friends and to keep in touch. Gamers can use sync points to redeem unique items for their games or purchase more sync cards.

Rough Cards

The creation of these gamer cards required a lot of trial and error, I wanted the cards to be unique. Gamers are asked to design their own characters, which will be shown on the cards. The card uses QR codes to store information about the gamers, sets up parties during quests and can be exchanged as a sign of friendship.
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The most challenging part was identifying the type of material to use for this, and how I was going to produce them. After some ideation and talking to some friends, I decided to laser etch them on acrylic.

design

Logo and Branding

Connecting both the gaming world and the real world. Anything that happens in the real world will carry over into the game. Gamers build their character by exploring the real world, collecting items, making new friends, and going on adventures with other gamers.
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SYN·CHRO·NIZE (VERB) Cause to occur or operate at the same time or rate.
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ON (ADVERB) Indicating continuation of a movement or action.

Concept: Power Button, PC, Mouse, Gaming

SYNC ON GAMING MOBILE APP

Final Design

The real world has a lot to offer, go beyond the virtual realm of gaming.

Prototype
visualize

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Applying visuals and brining my wireframes to life.

I think that the app takes advantage of gamers’ need to obtain ‘stuff’ and progress and that it will be very successful in getting gamers to use it because they love to be notified, challenged, and rewarded. The character designed cards are a great motivator and also very cool. They will appeal especially to the ‘collector-gamer’ who loves to have personalized items to display.

Shawn P.

Never2Late

Hi-Fidelity Platform

Gamers can access SyncOn gaming through steam and use their points to purchase unique items to enhance their online gaming experience.

Accessibility

Additional steps to take in improving the user experience.

Sync Cards

Gamers can obtain these cards through achievements and use them for a variety of things.

  • Add friends by scanning the QR code on the cards.
  • Each card is unique to the gamers, as they have custom art work by the gamer.
  • Collectables, trade these cards with other gamers.
  • These cards bring people together, a great way to share your joy of games.
  • Gamer discount at game stores.
My thoughts

Reflection

This was an interesting project to take on as it has shown me that gaming is great and all but can be a problem when it takes over your life. And through this project, I’ve come across many challenges like figuring out how can “I get gamers to spend less time in the game?” and how to get get them motivated in going out. By examining what games offer to people and that is a feeling of accomplishment and something to have that is obtainable. When we look at games people level up, find rare items, and develop relationships with people and communities. We like to feel like we are progressing and sometimes the real world doesn’t offer that and this is why we turn to games as a means of escape. By taking these core components I came up with something unique and special where users can get an interactive experience and take on gaming in the real world.

What I developed is a system where people meet up, do events, and actually meet these people who are normally behind some kind of avatar. It makes gaming much more interesting as we get to meet these people and feel that we are progressing in life, in addition, the custom cards are a nice way to get gamers interested. We like to collect items and having the ability to collect other user’s cards, which features custom art made by them can have a special meaning. The app provides many mini-games which are a great way to meet new people and to see that gaming isn’t limited to online, but reality can just be as fun. The last feature of Sync On Gaming is the ability to bridge the real world and online gaming, earn items in the real world and take them back. The whole process of this app required a lot of brainstorms and figuring out how this system worked. It was a complex system that needed to be simplified for this app to work, when user’s jump right in I wanted it to be easy to understand and to still feel like a game. We are easily derailed when something looks off and the core here was keeping that game vibe.

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