Mobile Game Pixel King

Mobile App where you can create and color your personal pixel kingdom.

Created

2018

Customer

Artezio

Platform

iOS

Appstore

Challenge

Develop a project of coloring by numbers application for iOS. Create content for the game.

Research

SWOT Analysis

At first, we analyzed 4 main competitors on the market. We used the method of strategic planning. With its help, we figured out the advantages and disadvantages of the competitors as well as possible threats and opportunities for the product. According to the analysis, the existing competitors had almost the same functionality that met all the basic needs of a user. One of the main benefits for the competitors was the fact that their apps had already existed on the market for a while. They gained popularity with their audience. As we noticed possible threats to the product, we came to a decision to change the game concept and add an RPG element to the app.

Metrics

We used analytical platforms at the stage of planning and deployment as well as tested the users (30 people). Thanks to the gathered data, we got:
15+ tested hypotheses
30+ micro-interactions
5+ new features
This also helped to prioritize tasks for future releases.

Identifying

Persona

Identifying a persona is the basement for all further work on the product. We analyze their behavior models and ways of thinking. We think, act, and make decisions as a user.

Ralph Shannon; 12 years old; pupil; Washington, USA.
Values: family, friends, gadgets, popularity, appearance.

I am switching to secondary school. It’s early to think about college yet, but I am not a kid anymore as my parents think. I was to walk my neighbors’ dog but they are going to the lakes. So I had to find another side job. I will be a paperboy. It’s easier with a dog rather than with papers. You can always go to a park, play something while the dog is running around. I need to think about how to fasten my bag to the bicycle.

Pains:
I have limited time to play my smartphone. My parents don’t allow me to play much.
Mom is late, I wanted to sit on the stairs for a while but the place is already taken by high schoolers.
My parents are always monitoring me. I’ve had enough of them coming into my room when I have friends.
I’ve got a D in geographics.
Mom makes me go workout outside no matter what the weather is. She says I will become as plump as Ron. But I don’t eat as much potato and ice cream as he does.

Gains:
I played as much as I wanted to while I was waiting for my mom.
I was listening to music and drawing until late at night.
I’ve become a paperboy.
Mom hasn’t got out of the car when she was driving me to school. Whew! She hasn’t kissed me!

Brainstorming

New Concept

In order to get to the next level, you need to color the required number of pixels. All the colored pixels are your kingdom. It consists of such elements as towns and castles, inhabitants and animals, arms and middle ages monsters.

Card Sorting

Using this method, we organized various topics into categories and labeled them with special words and signs.

Mockup Design

By creating mockups, we got a picture of the entire concept of the game in a user interface. At this stage, we figured out an optimal way of how to bring the idea of the pixel kingdom into life.

Moodboard

Moodboard is a visual concept of the future design. It helps demonstrate the progress to the customer and approve visual components of the design. Our goal was to create a fairy-like atmosphere and bright emotions around a user while interacting with the interface.

Testing

Testing of the Service by Real Users

We conduct testing of the prototype and app by real users in order to find out how users interact with the interface in reality:
-check interactions with the application;
-figure out barriers;
-identify the moments of highest enthusiasm;
-gather new ideas from users.

Step 1

We find real users willing to test the application.

Step 2

We watch the process of how users interact with the app in order to solve the tasks.

Step 3

The last thing is to make notes and analyze all the gathered data.

Implementation

UI Design

35+ unique screens
70+ loading screens
10+ animations
50+ icons
100+ avatars
1000+ coloring pages
3+ app skins

Character

The coloring by numbers app has a role-play element. With the help of the system of levels, a user can develop their character, activate new skills, get bonuses, and open new coloring pages.

Splash Screens

The idea of the app is that the more pixels you color, the bigger your kingdom gets. Therefore, we created very detailed screens of switching to the next level. The user gets a new screen with every new level.

Level 6-10

A tent and a cozy fire, a huge shield, a wolfdog, a flock of ravens.

Variants of splash screens on the next levels:

Results

We got a ready-to-use coloring by numbers app with the elements of a roleplay and authentic content. Thanks to these features, the application stands out among other competitors on the market. It took us 3 months with the team of 7 people to deliver the app. At the moment we have 10k users without marketing activities.

Mobile Game Pixel King

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Customer Journey Map

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