Call of Duty mobile: Case study

This was an exercise going through the process of designing the UX and UI of a game as part of ELVTR's UX/UI in gaming course, as a way to apply the knowledge and skills imparted throughout the course. I took the course as a way to recalibrate and refresh my knowledge about the ux/ui, and as a way to properly contextualize the knowledge i've gained through my career.

Experience goals

Based on a thorough evaluation of the goals for each feature found within the gameplay established before, i decided to focus on the following goals for the overall experience:

Retention evaluation

By setting up a retention framework, we are able to better identify our player, their purpose, and motivations for progression.

⦿ This allows us to better set the goals for the experience and features composing it.

Engagement evaluation

By evaluating how the different player resources are engaged during this gameplay period, we can further establish the context of the retention issues we need to tackle

Money

⦿ While the game presents the player with the monetization features, it doesn’t linger or force players to engage with it.

Social

⦿ Social modes seem to be de-emphasized early, there isn’t a push for players to engage with the social features of the game at this point.

Time

⦿ This initial period spends a lot of time hand-holding the player through the basics of the game, which might generate friction for players who just want to play.

Aim settings tutorial

Issues

⦿ Routine itself isn't very efficient, and contrasts with the other more frequent and efficient habits in this section, like shooting, or moving

⦿ Adjusting your aiming mode at this point might not feel as rewarding for players unaware with FPS controls in mobile

⦿ Section doesn't feel as rewarding or clear as the rest of the components in this tutorial section

Proposed solution

⦿ Move this section of the tutorial to the end, so that it doesn't interrupt the flow of the tutorial

⦿ Make the section optional for players who are comfortable with the controls already, saving time in the process.

Feature goals

⦿ Section is long enough to convey all necessary information, but simple enough to end before players disengage from it.

⦿ Players are able to complete this section ~20 seconds faster if they do not want to change their controls.

Loadout tutorial

Issues

⦿ Tutorial presents information that the player does not have access to at the moment (Tactical/Lethal equipment, perks, soldier and operator skill, extra loadouts)

⦿ Section feels less instant or rewarding for players, as they are shown options that they can’t interact with

⦿ It also feels less efficient, since the information distracts from the main goals of the feature at this point, understanding how to adjust their loadouts (They can only change their weapon at this point).

Proposed solution

⦿ We can improve how instant or rewarding the learning experience feels by spacing out the information, and focusing only on what is immediately useful for the user (Weapons).

⦿ The rest of the elements can be presented as they become available further down the line, with the repetition working towards improving the assimilation of the main habit.

Feature goals

⦿ Players are able to create their own loadout with the available loadout components.

⦿ The process of adjusting the loadout during this section from access to loadout to exit to main screen can be done in less than 10 seconds.

Scorestreak Tutorial

Issues

⦿ The section clearly shows how to use scorestreaks, but not how to earn them, which hurts feedback clarity.

⦿ As such the game isn’t presenting the entire routine to the players, and misrepresenting the cue, affecting how the player perceives the habit.

Proposed solution

⦿ Instead of giving the player a scorestreak to use at the start of the section, make them rack up the scorestreak themselves by engaging with dummy enemies in a controlled environment.

⦿ This can also work as a repetition for all the features they learned throughout the tutorial, helping reinforce the learning of the presented habits.

⦿ This space can also work as a break from the tutorial, giving players enough time to engage with the game on their own terms before resuming the process.

Feature goals

⦿ Players are able to fully understand the routine of Scorestreaks (how to earn them, how to use them)

⦿ Scorestreak usage is increased compared to the current % during the first match.

Map Selection / Scorestreak Loadout

Issues

⦿ Some screens can benefit from presenting the information regarding their feature in a clearer way.

⦿ Since players lack enough information to make a decision, the process feels less rewarding that it should.

Proposed solution

Map screen

⦿ Rearrange the map to include more detailed information about it.

⦿ Information such as the abstraction used for the minimap, alongside general information such as size and a general description can be enough for players to get a more clear picture about the maps themselves.

Scorestreak Loadout

⦿ Include more detailed examples of use and effect of scorestreaks, such as video examples.

Feature goals

Map screen

⦿ Players have enough information to get a general idea of how their game experience will go on a particular match before entering one.

⦿ The frequency of the habit of picking a map instead of random is higher than the current %.

Scorestreak Loadout

⦿ Players express more excitement over scorestreaks when going over them in the loadout screen.

⦿ The effective score earned from each scorestreak during the initial stages of the game is increased over the current average.