2022 March – August

<aside> <img src="/icons/die5_gray.svg" alt="/icons/die5_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Product

A cyberpunk tabletop RPG where players explore the city, interact with characters, gather clues, and prevent murder. An interactive app enhances the game by guiding scenarios and animating locations and dialogues.

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<aside> <img src="/icons/flash_gray.svg" alt="/icons/flash_gray.svg" width="40px" /> My Role

Define the app's role and functions with the physical game, design it to fit the game mechanics, develop an MVP for playtests and presentations, and prepare it for collaboration with interface designers.

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In late 2021, a board game team started developing a tabletop RPG with a replayable storyline, using an app as the "Game Master" to dynamically alter scenarios and enhance replayability.

By March 2022, only basic mechanics and a scenario generator were ready, with the game existing as a Tabletop Simulator prototype and a team member manually guiding the game.

Solved tasks

01

Define the functional and emotional goals of the app, its role in the gameplay, and its interaction with the tabletop elements

02

Define and document the structure, screens, and functions of the App to plan and initiate development

03

Design the main screens in detail, even though the final style, illustrations, and characters for the entire game would be ready only in three months

Result

https://youtu.be/JGCiFY4Obpg

01 • Objective

Define the functional and emotional goals of the app, its role in the gameplay, and its interaction with the tabletop elements

Steps

  1. Researched existing games with companion apps.
  2. Ran test sessions with a human acting as the app.
  3. Conducted interviews with team members to align expectations.
  4. Established core principles for functionality and player experience.
  5. Presented, discussed, and refined these principles with the team.
  6. Compiled and allocated all game mechanics, data, and interactions between the app and tabletop components, ensuring a clear “Source of Truth” for each.

Outcome

Defined the player persona and desired in-game experiences. Chose the optimal way to present information.

Shaped the app’s identity as a storyteller that brings cardboard figures to life, sets the mood, and maintains the game’s pace. It also serves as a futuristic gadget with in-game services like navigation, taxi calls, and data-keeping.

Established key technical guidelines, such as using portrait orientation for one-handed operation (with the other hand managing game pieces) and simplifying charger connection (cable at the bottom).

Detailed and allocated all mechanics and interactions to prevent duplication and unnecessary synchronization. For example, in-game currency was fully integrated into the app, while checks were left to the tabletop, with the app focusing on instructions and result collection.

This collaborative effort helped align the team's vision and simplified decision-making in further development.