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Overwatch

Connect & Customize

Overwatch

Connect & Customize

Overwatch

Connect & Customize

Enhancing the Overwatch experience with features like Calendar, File Share, & In-Game Skin Select.

Concept

3 weeks

September 2017

Role: UX Lead

CONTEXT

CONTEXT

Recognizing the Potential

Recognizing the Potential

Overwatch has fostered a passionate community of players. However, the existing UI presents opportunities to further enhance the player experience. By introducing new features like a Calendar, File Share, & In-Game Skin Select, we can empower players to connect with friends, personalize their heroes, and coordinate play times.

Overwatch has fostered a passionate community of players. However, the existing UI presents opportunities to further enhance the player experience. By introducing new features like a Calendar, File Share, & In-Game Skin Select, we can empower players to connect with friends, personalize their heroes, and coordinate play times.

OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

Beyond the Payload

More games

more choices.

The Overwatch user interface presented several opportunities for improvement:

The Overwatch user interface presented several opportunities for improvement:

Limited Social Connection — Players lack robust tools for seamless communication and coordination outside of matches. This hinders team formation, event planning, and community building.

Cumbersome Customization — Player expression is hindered without the ability to change skins in-game.

Disjointed Coordination — Whether you're a pro or a casual, giving players the ability to see upcoming events or schedule their own queue sessions with friends can help get players together.

CHALLENGE

Enhance the Overwatch player experience by designing an intuitive and engaging hub that empowers users to connect through gameplay, customize their heroes, and coordinate their gameplay.

Enhance the Overwatch player experience by designing an intuitive and engaging hub that empowers users to connect through gameplay, customize their heroes, and coordinate their gameplay.

Design principles

Platform Consistency

While innovating, adhere to established Overwatch design patterns and platform conventions to maintain a sense of familiarity for players. This ensures a smooth transition and avoids unnecessary learning curves.

Frictionless Customization

Make the process of customizing heroes, loadouts, and profiles as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Reduce friction in the interface and provide clear visual feedback to enhance the customization experience

Prioritizing Social

Prioritize pathways to connect with friends, join groups, and access social features.

MISSED CONNECTIONS

MISSED CONNECTIONS

Introducing: Calendar

Introducing: Calendar

Overwatch lacks robust tools for social interaction and coordination outside of matches. Players face limitations in connecting with friends, scheduling play sessions, and staying informed about community events. This disconnect hinders deeper social engagement within the Overwatch community, highlighting the need for a more integrated tool in the game.

Overwatch lacks robust tools for social interaction and coordination outside of matches. Players face limitations in connecting with friends, scheduling play sessions, and staying informed about community events. This disconnect hinders deeper social engagement within the Overwatch community, highlighting the need for a more integrated tool in the game.

OVERWATCH CALENDAR (NEW)

Mends schedule conflicts by providing a centralized place for players to see their friends' availability, schedule games together, and be notified of upcoming events.

SHARE YOUR PLAY

SHARE YOUR PLAY

Introducing: File Share

Introducing: File Share

Overwatch lacks tools for players to easily share game types, screenshots, and highlights outside of matches. Think Halo File Share, or "Bungie Favorites" — these features can be looked at as prime examples of ways to build a strong community within a game.

Overwatch lacks tools for players to easily share game types, screenshots, and highlights outside of matches. Think Halo File Share, or "Bungie Favorites" — these features can be looked at as prime examples of ways to build a strong community within a game.

OVERWATCH FILE SHARE (NEW)

Encourage content creation and foster a more vibrant and engaged community where players can showcase their creativity and share their in-game achievements.

EXPRESS YOURSELF

EXPRESS YOURSELF

In-Game Skin Select

In-Game Skin Select

Overwatch lacks a streamlined way for players to change skins during a match, hindering customization and player expression.

Overwatch lacks a streamlined way for players to change skins during a match, hindering customization and player expression.

IN-GAME SKIN SELECT (NEW)

Unlocking true customization — In-game skin selection allows players to express their style on the fly, without missing a beat.

LOOKING BACK

Retrospective

HOW COULD THESE DESIGNS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED?

With more time and research, the calendar and file share features could offer even richer functionality and a more powerful user experience.

With more time and research, the calendar and file share features could offer even richer functionality and a more powerful user experience.

Project takeaways.

Iterative Design is Crucial — Continuous feedback and iteration are essential for refining the user experience. Conducting usability testing and gathering player feedback would ensure these designs meet their needs and expectations.

Deeper Design Explorations — Documenting a wider range of design iterations and alternatives, even if not fully prototyped, would have been great to show.

Social UX is Key — Prioritizing social interaction is crucial. Designing intuitive tools for communication, coordination, and community building can significantly enhance the player experience.

FROM PASSION PROJECT

FROM PASSION PROJECT

To Dream Job

To Dream Job

While this concept was just a passion project, it unexpectedly opened the door to a dream career opportunity. Sharing this case study with the broader design community, including those at Blizzard, led to valuable connections and ultimately, a full-time position as a UX Designer at Blizzard Entertainment. This experience solidified the value of following my passion; bridging the gap between games and intuitive UX.

While this concept was just a passion project, it unexpectedly opened the door to a dream career opportunity. Sharing this case study with the broader design community, including those at Blizzard, led to valuable connections and ultimately, a full-time position as a UX Designer at Blizzard Entertainment. This experience solidified the value of following my passion; bridging the gap between games and intuitive UX.