What is a Roguelike Deck-builder?
A unique and popular genre that combines elements of Rogue and strategy through card mechanics.
The game dynamically builds its card deck as the player progresses.
This genre, particularly suitable for mobile platforms,
offers an engaging and dynamic experience, capturing the interest of players
seeking a blend of strategy and chance in a mobile-friendly format.
For who?
A mobile game for users who like to play card games, both traditional and digital.
Research
Initially, identifying a high-potential user base and aligning it
with a popular genre were fundamental steps.
Potential -
Focusing on a popular genre game that is both engaging
and suitable for mobile.
User Base -
Learning about the different needs of player types
based on their personalities,
a study of similar games and competitive games in the genre.
How did we learn about them?
* Analysing reviews, comments, and user opinions through websites and review apps (Steam, App Store,
True Review).
* Conducting a close survey and analysing results.
Findings
With 30 answered surveys, here are some interesting results.
We posted the anonymous survey at 3
different Facebook(1) groups of gamers.
These 4 segments give closer view of the respondents.
About 54.5% of respondents ages are 25-35,
an additional 31.8% are in the 35+ age group.
About 40.9% answered that they play this
genre moderately to frequently (4-5)(2).
About 63.3% of the respondents have moderate to full familiarity (3-5)(3).
45.5% of the respondents prefer playing in landscape mode,
and *approximately 22.7% stated ‘no preference’.
(1)Using only Facebook users for the survey might effect the results and average age of respondents.
(2)rates are 1-never play, 5- daily play
(3)rates are 1-not at all, 5- fully familiar
Target Audience
From the information of average ages and familiarity and active players,
there seem to be a solid user base for a mobile game of the genre.
Key Features
The following questions from the survey serve the purpose of finding
motivation
points from users, by asking them about core features of popular deck-builders.
Pain Points
The data from the survey, combined with data from reviews and
direct feedback on game review boards (such as Steam and App store)
here are the key frustrations and pain points:
Problem Statement & Resoluiton
Users need a balanced learning curve and strategic play progress
that can be tailored to various scenarios in the gameplay.
Problem Statement
Users need a balanced learning curve and strategic
play progress that can be tailored to various scenarios in the gameplay.
Persona
Dave Miller
"It's a turbulent journey, but the thrill of unpredictable encounters keeps me hooked – the essence of a true roguelike experience!"
Age - 31
Location - Amsterdam, Holand
Occupation - QA specialist
Status - Married +1 Kid + 1 Dog
Behaviors
- Likes to watch game playoffs online.
- Participates in online multiplayers, more than 3 times a week.
- Visits several gaming group chats on Discord everyday.
- Uses his home computer for gaming.
Motivations
- Accessible and easy gaming experience while away from home.
- Enjoying a game that has good balance.
- playing a game that fits to a more mature atmosphere.
Needs
- Always on the look for new strategy games and new game related content.
- Would play a mobile game if it’s better than playing it on PC.
Pain Points
- Get frustrated from child-like themes.
- Progress can feel like a waste of time lots of grinding.
- Will quit playing a game that feels like it’s based on chance rather than decision making.
Ideation
Focus on unique and customizable playstyle, like choosing which hero and deck to advance in,
allowing more flexibility while also maintaining a solid learning curve. Diving into an immersive
storyline with each hero, creating engaging interactions that give additional emotional value,
while maintaining a high profile strategic play.
Key Features
Roguelike - each time the player looses, he looses the quest’s progress,
while still maintaining earned cards, and loosing his Destroyed cards.
Multiple Card Decks - more features and better cards are available as the game progresses.
Modes - Single play is default, PVP and MP are available as well.
Seamless Play- Simple, intuitive interface with easy to learn mechanics and a steady difficulty curve.
User Story
Dave wants to edit his Hero’s deck before starting a new quest:
Wireframe
Order of frames from left to right: Main menu, Hero deck, Shop, Battle,
Settings-general, Setting-options, Setting-advanced.
Samples of card layouts, drafts for UI shapes and sizes.
Sample for UI shapes in main menu screen.
