Match-Ups: Your Personal Coach for Fighting Games
Role: Research & UI/UX Timeline: February 2023 - May 2023
Overview
Match-Ups is a mobile companion app designed to help new players improve their skills in fighting games. The app offers a range of features such as an AI that analyzes their matches, a personal stat tracker, and information on matchups and strategies. With Match Ups, players can access a wealth of information and tools to help them become better players and enjoy their favorite fighting games even more.
Match-Ups serves as a virtual coach, making it easier for new players to analyze their performance, understand complex matchups, and develop effective strategies. The design and data-driven features help users engage with their favorite games on a deeper level, supporting their growth as players and fostering a more immersive gaming experience.
Problem
Fighting games are complex and overwhelming for new players to learn, leading some to give up altogether
The vast amount of available resources, such as forums and guides, can be daunting and lead to slow progress in gameplay
This can be a significant barrier to entry for new players, who may not have the time or patience to sift through all of the information available.
SOLUTION
Match-Ups provides a comprehensive toolset to help fighting game players improve their skills through features such as replay analysis, character matchup information, personal stat tracking, and AI-powered feedback, all aimed at overcoming the challenges of mastering fighting games in a streamlined and user-friendly way.
DESIGN GOALS
Provide personalized coaching and feedback through replay analysis and information on character matchups
Empower users to easily access the features and information they need to train effectively
TARGET AUDIENCE
The Match-Ups app is designed for both new and experienced players who want to improve their skills in fighting games, whether they play casually or competitively. The target audience includes young adults and adults, typically aged 18 to 35, who are interested in playing fighting games and improving their skills.
RESEARCH GOAL
- Qualitative Interviews
- Quantitive Research ( User Personas)
- Competitive Analysis
RESEARCH GOALS
Gain a deeper understanding of the needs and preferences of your target audience when it comes to learning and improving their skills in fighting games.
Conduct user research to identify common pain points, challenges, and goals among new and experienced players.
Gather feedback on the features and functionality of your Match Ups app to ensure that it meets the needs of your users.
Explore the competitive landscape of existing fighting game companion apps to identify areas for improvement and innovation
USER INTERVIEWS
I interviewed four friends with a passion for video games, competitively and casually across various genres. The interviews were conducted to gather their input and perspectives, particularly regarding fighting games. The group consisted of both males and females, aged between 21 -25, college students. The interviews were conducted online and lasted between 30 to 45 minutes.
Insights
- Opportunities for feedback are essential for players
- Memorizing combos and match-ups can be overwhelming for players
- Learning new characters and game mechanics can be confusing and challenging for some players
- A feedback and analysis system for gameplay could be helpful for players to identify areas for improvement and quickly discover what they need to work on
- Players may be discouraged from playing against others online if they feel like they're going to lose constantly
- Some players find a variety of characters and move sets exciting and fun, but mastering them can be overwhelming
- Some players are on the fence about a replay or feedback system due to concerns about trolls posting fake information.
- Memorizing combos and match-ups can be overwhelming for players
- Learning new characters and game mechanics can be confusing and challenging for some players
- A feedback and analysis system for gameplay could be helpful for players to identify areas for improvement and quickly discover what they need to work on
- Players may be discouraged from playing against others online if they feel like they're going to lose constantly
- Some players find a variety of characters and move sets exciting and fun, but mastering them can be overwhelming
- Some players are on the fence about a replay or feedback system due to concerns about trolls posting fake information.
User Persona
Journey Map
USER FLOW
WIREFRAMES
First I sketched low-fidelity wireframes on paper. Then after a few corrections, I moved on to design these high-fidelity wireframes using Figma
TAKEAWAYS
For my first UX Case study project I would say it was a very interesting and engaging experience. Overall I am very happy with how my app came out although there are still some changes that I would like to make. First I would like to expand on to other games and design more options to their respective titles. I'll add more indicators as to which page the user is on to eliminate any confusion throughout the experience. Lastly, I would expand on the help menu so it includes an easy explanation of fighting game terminology and other aspects of the genre. As a designer, it's important to always keep the user in mind and ask myself questions on how they would process the information presented to them
