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Versus
Overview
Versus is a decentralized platform for players to compete in the most popular traditional and web3 games. The main element of the project is an infrastructure, which links the web2 and web3 worlds. The platform provides the opportunity to create and participate in various types of games.
Role
•User Experience (UX) Designer
•User Interface (UI) Designer
•Branding
•Product Designer
Date
2022
Deliverables
•Logotype
•Landing Page
•Web Application
•Lightpaper
•Design system
•Competitive analysis
•Site map
•Low-fidelity wireframes
•High-fidelity mockups and prototypes
•Usability tests and findings
Tools
•Figma
•Miro
•Photoshop
•Illustrator
•After Effects
Background
Versus is a startup that aims to revolutionize online gaming world. The mission of this project is was to create a place that brings together millions of esports players regardless of their preferences or skill level. The platform should provide the opportunity to create and participate in various types of games. I was the sole product designer working for the founding team.
Disclaimer: Due to non-discolosure agreements with Versus I am limited in the amount of work I can show.
The Process
01 Emphatize - understanding the problem
Research enables me to dig deep into my understanding of users - not only their immediate frustrations, but also their hopes, fears, abilities, limitations, reasoning, and goals. It lays essential foundations for creating solutions in later stages.
Methodologies used:
•Market Research
•Competitive Analysis
•Users & Stakeholders Interview
•Competitive Analysis
•Users & Stakeholders Interview
Research Goals
•Understand the market of platforms related to games
•Understand the market of platforms related to blockchain
•Identify the target audience of Versus
•Learn about how the main competitors are catering to customers’ needs, as well as their strengths and weaknesses
•Understand the market of platforms related to blockchain
•Identify the target audience of Versus
•Learn about how the main competitors are catering to customers’ needs, as well as their strengths and weaknesses
Market Research:
•Lack of a place to both earn and have fun, regardless of the type of game
•It's not possible to play for stakes in the form of cryptocurrencies in traditional games
•Web3 games do not match up to traditional games
•Players are not familiar with blockchain technology
•It's not possible to play for stakes in the form of cryptocurrencies in traditional games
•Web3 games do not match up to traditional games
•Players are not familiar with blockchain technology
Competitive Analysis
It is equally important to research enterprises that pioneer in the market of platforms connecting blockchain with gaming, as their solutions to similar problems will help me gather insights about their strengths and weaknesses. These insights also help me identify any gaps in features that Versus might address. I analyzed 3 direct competitors, who are trying to solve the same problem as us, and 3 indirect competitors, who solve one part of the problem very well.
Users & Stakeholders interview
Insights gathered from market research helped me frame provisional ask meaningful questions in User Interviews. These are the conclusions I came up with:
•Potential users are usually skeptical about the topic of cryptocurrency, and It’s still very obscure to them.
•Users are not satisfied with the current existing applications similar to the Versus
•DEXs lack intuitiveness and are more suitable for traders who have spent some time in the crypto space, it is not user-friendly for newbies. Blockchain transactions can be more complex than traditional in-game transactions, requiring users to manage private keys, wallets, and interact with blockchain interfaces. This added complexity may deter less tech-savvy gamers and hinder mainstream adoption.
•Many blockchain networks involve transaction fees, known as gas fees. In a gaming environment where microtransactions are common, high fees can discourage users and make small transactions economically impractical.
•Transaction Delays in gaming industry: Blockchain transactions, especially on congested networks, can suffer from delays. Gamers may find this frustrating, particularly when waiting for in-game purchases, asset transfers, or other transactions to be confirmed
•Different blockchain platforms and games may have varying user interfaces, creating a lack of consistency across experiences. This can confuse users and make it more challenging for them to navigate different blockchain applications.
•Regulatory Uncertainty: The regulatory environment for blockchain and cryptocurrencies is still evolving. Uncertainty about future regulations can create hesitancy among gamers and developers, impacting the long-term viability of blockchain gaming.
•The play-to-earn model, where users can earn cryptocurrency or valuable in-game assets by participating in the game, is generally well-received. This provides a new way for players to benefit from their time and skill investment.
•Potential users are usually skeptical about the topic of cryptocurrency, and It’s still very obscure to them.
•Users are not satisfied with the current existing applications similar to the Versus
•DEXs lack intuitiveness and are more suitable for traders who have spent some time in the crypto space, it is not user-friendly for newbies. Blockchain transactions can be more complex than traditional in-game transactions, requiring users to manage private keys, wallets, and interact with blockchain interfaces. This added complexity may deter less tech-savvy gamers and hinder mainstream adoption.
•Many blockchain networks involve transaction fees, known as gas fees. In a gaming environment where microtransactions are common, high fees can discourage users and make small transactions economically impractical.
•Transaction Delays in gaming industry: Blockchain transactions, especially on congested networks, can suffer from delays. Gamers may find this frustrating, particularly when waiting for in-game purchases, asset transfers, or other transactions to be confirmed
•Different blockchain platforms and games may have varying user interfaces, creating a lack of consistency across experiences. This can confuse users and make it more challenging for them to navigate different blockchain applications.
•Regulatory Uncertainty: The regulatory environment for blockchain and cryptocurrencies is still evolving. Uncertainty about future regulations can create hesitancy among gamers and developers, impacting the long-term viability of blockchain gaming.
•The play-to-earn model, where users can earn cryptocurrency or valuable in-game assets by participating in the game, is generally well-received. This provides a new way for players to benefit from their time and skill investment.
“In blockchain gaming, UX design is not just about aesthetics; it's about creating interfaces that seamlessly integrate blockchain technology, making it accessible and enjoyable for players without compromising on security or functionality.”
Chris McCann, CEO of Current Gaming
02 define - problems and product goals
User personas
Problem statement
•User wants a simple and easy way to understand the game rules
•User needs to feel secure while transfering cryptocurrencies
•User wants transparency in fees
•User needs to feel secure while transfering cryptocurrencies
•User wants transparency in fees
Product Goals
I decided to list project goals that will serve as a guide for the future developlment and user goals from my research and then established product goals:
03 ideate - product vision and solution
Application Map
After setting up the product goals and deciding what features to include, I want to continue building up the structure of Versus app using the application map. An application map helps me to visualize the relationship between the content and examine the hierarchy.
User Flow
Then I mapped user flows whose scenarios corresponds to established task. This process helped me walk in a individual user’s shoes and think through different scenarios this user might encounter.Following Sceniario: Taylor wants to play game with some stranger for money
04 Prototype - wireframing the solution
Based on the above problems identified, I worked towards addressing these pains by coming up with potential solutions and iterating wireframes.
Low-fidelity prototype testing allowed me to better understand how users expected to complete the tasks I was focusing on. And more importantly, having a dialogue with them about what they expected and when — I knew which adjustments needed to be made to lay the foundation for a more fully realized high fidelity prototype. Small details such as actionable and consistent iconography, and consistent paths to get back, would become important elements of the design system.
Finding a Visual Style
After the first workshop with stakeholders I took the mission statement and the brand attributes to craft three different design directions. Below you can see the choosen one:
Logo designs
I wanted that logo to be modern, dynamic– a design that was simple enough to be easily memorable and bold enough to make a statement when appropriate. Simplicity also comes from the fact that this will be also token logo which tends to be very small when listed on exchanges.
Visualizing a User-Centric Experience
Design system
Visually articulating all potential aspects of the Versus brand (product, as well as marketing and beyond) meant defining a baseline design system that identified key elements of its visual vocabulary. I wanted Versus visual design to always refer back to its core sentence: “No play no gain”.Blue and pinkish reds dominating colour pallette may be associated with Nintendo basic colours.
05 iterate - product development and results
It isn't enough to hand-over a static design. I worked closely with the developers to ensure the interaction with this design was perfect. Together we created a subtle animations and during the usability testing some new fixes were implemented. Below you can see Promo Video of the application:
Made by: Eliza Marc
