Essential Insights for UX Designers Inspired by Video Game Creators

The realms of video game design and user experience (UX) design in web development share a treasure trove of similarities. When one delves into these disciplines, they encounter a shared goal of crafting an experience that captivates and keeps the attention of many. To achieve this, they both require a collaborative team effort, robust quality assurance practices, and a dedicated support team for community engagement. The infrastructure must be mighty, able to withstand the influx of traffic and use. Feedback from users will vary greatly, from the thoughtfully critical to the less-helpful critiques. Gamers, as a demographic, are notably vocal and discerning. Some organizations prefer to keep a tight lid on their production process, only surfacing information in a controlled manner through official statements. Comparatively, game developers often adopt a more candid approach, a necessity in an industry where the consumer base does not shy away from vocalizing their discontent with development choices. This transparency is not inherently a marker of ethical superiority, but rather a response to a customer base that is not afraid to fervently express concerns.

Watching the public interactions between video game developers and their community offers valuable insights. They may not spill all their secrets, but they willingly share their workflow, intentions, and visions, often accompanied by detailed patch updates. Two notable games I’ve observed for their development practices include Overwatch and Dungeons and Dragons Online (DDO), which I will reference throughout.

1. Clearly State Your Objectives

The team behind Overwatch make their objectives crystal clear. They are vocal about their ambitions, assuring that their actions echo their resolve to attain those ambitions. Despite not always being successful, their steadfast effort is evident. This same approach can be applied elsewhere: clearly communicate with your users about your intentions with changes or new features—avoid vague declarations. Precise communication fosters credibility and helps users to see you’re committed to your objectives.

2. Address and Amend Mistakes

DDO experiences a recurring issue with ladder mechanics in-game. Despite claims of resolving this bug and sometimes denying it exists, the problem persists, and the community certainly acknowledges its impact. This exemplifies the importance of listening and responding when the majority of your community flags an issue. Maintaining the trust of your users is crucial, even if the problem is challenging to pinpoint or reproduce.

3. Maintain Comprehensive Records

DDO’s longevity brings challenges, such as the departure of original developers and understanding legacy systems. Accurate and detailed documentation can mitigate these issues. It’s about more than commenting code; it’s about chronicling the rationale behind decisions. This can help in averting or solving future problems that might arise from changes or incomplete features, as obscure bugs can prove difficult to tackle without this knowledge.

4. Engage with Your Product

The development team of Overwatch engages with their game across various skill levels, enhancing their empathy and understanding of the player’s experience. An issue arises when developers do not engage deeply with their own creation—a stance jokingly referred to as “eating your own dog food.” Using your product not only demonstrates confidence in it but is also paramount to understanding the user’s perspective.

5. Value Your Core Users

A dilemma seen in many MMOs, including DDO, is the potential alienation of the original player base. The desire to draw new players can lead to game-altering decisions that may disenchant loyal users. While some changes may temporarily attract newcomers, they can also result in a reduction of dedicated fans. Thus, engaging with long-term users before implementing substantial changes is wise. Their connection to your product offers valuable insights that could align better with user desires, and they may be more aware of the product’s appeal than you are.

In conclusion, while it’s impossible to keep everyone pleased, it’s beneficial to value those who have been with you from the beginning. They represent not just a moral commitment but also practical wisdom—they helped shape your product into what it is now. Listening to their feedback can provide you with an understanding of your product’s allure that you might otherwise overlook.