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Game Overview

Thunder Warrior is a dungeon-crawling adventure set in a Norse-inspired universe. The game follows a heroic character navigating atmospheric dungeons and overcoming trials designed by Odin himself. With a focus on immersion and progression, the game appeals to teens and older players who appreciate dark, mythological themes.

Tools used:

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Goals

The goal of this UX case study is to analyze and enhance the user experience of Thunder Warrior, ensuring players are fully immersed in the mythological world while maintaining intuitive navigation and engaging gameplay. The study focuses on:

  • Establishing seamless navigation through character selection, dungeon progression, and battles.

  • Creating a UI that reflects the mature, Norse-inspired aesthetic.

  • Improving the clarity of rewards, progression, and player feedback.

  • Balancing challenge and accessibility to captivate teens and older players.

User Research

Target Audience

  • Age Group: 13+ (teens and older players).

  • Interests: Mythological themes, immersive dungeon gameplay, and challenging boss battles.

Pain Points Identified:

  • Difficulty in understanding progression paths or reward systems.

  • Overwhelming UI in some dungeon-crawling games.

  • Lack of clear connection between narrative elements and gameplay.

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Prototypes and Testing

Prototyping:

  • Clickable wireframes tested the navigation flow, character selection, and battle mechanics.

  • High-fidelity mockups visualized the Norse aesthetic and UI design.

Usability Testing:

  • Conducted A/B testing for UI layouts to determine clarity and usability.

  • Feedback highlighted the need for better visual cues in dungeon maps, which was addressed by adding glowing node indicators.

Key Features

1. Character Selection

  • Players can choose from iconic Norse gods and heroes, each with unique abilities.

  • The UI highlights locked and unlocked characters, with lore-based descriptions for immersion.

2. Dungeon Progression

  • A visually striking progression map allows players to track their journey.

  • Boss fights are highlighted with animated icons and thematic visuals.

3. Battle Mechanics

  • Dynamic feedback through health bars, power-ups, and ability cooldowns.

  • Visual effects such as glowing runes and particle effects during battles heighten immersion.

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2. High-Fidelity Prototypes

  • Incorporated the Norse-inspired color palette, glowing progress indicators, and mythological aesthetic.

  • Tested the responsiveness of character animations, dungeon interactions, and visual effects.

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3. User Testing Results

  • Players reported high satisfaction with the thematic consistency and immersive design.

  • Competitive players appreciated the leaderboard system and challenging bosses.

  • Casual players praised the visually rich environments and accessible mechanics.

Colour and Typography

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Key Takeaways

  • Balancing immersion with usability is critical for a mature audience.

  • Reward clarity and progression tracking significantly enhance player engagement.

  • User testing is essential to refine UI elements and ensure alignment with player needs.

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Design Approach

The design approach for Thunder Warrior emphasizes a mythological atmosphere while ensuring usability and engagement:

1. Norse Aesthetic

  • Bold, mythological iconography and dark, stone-like backgrounds establish an authentic atmosphere.

  • Rich, dark tones with fiery accents provide a dungeon-like feel.

  • Textures and visuals mimic ancient runes and Norse carvings.

2. Character-Centric Design

  • Prominent visuals of Norse gods (e.g., Loki, Odin, Thor) enhance the theme.

  • Animations and glowing effects highlight character abilities and lore.

3. Clear Progression Map

  • A linear dungeon path with highlighted boss nodes conveys the journey through Odin’s trials.

  • Progress indicators, such as milestones and unlocked bosses, ensure clarity.

4. Reward Clarity

  • High-contrast icons and themed text (e.g., “Valhalla Awaits”) enhance narrative immersion.

  • Players receive feedback on achievements through animations and celebratory visuals.

5. Mature UI Design

  • Minimalistic yet bold layouts to suit teens and older players.

  • Distinct buttons and icons for navigation and actions.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Challenge: Maintaining clarity in a dark-themed UI.

  • Solution: Used a combination of fiery accents and glowing highlights to differentiate interactive elements.

2. Challenge: Engaging both competitive and casual players.

  • Solution: Designed optional tutorials and customizable difficulty levels, catering to both personas.

3. Challenge: Rewarding players meaningfully.

  • Solution: Introduced themed rewards like exclusive skins, titles, and celebratory animations for milestones.

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