AI game Finder
AI game Finder
A solution that makes finding the perfect game easy and fun
A solution that makes finding the perfect game easy and fun
visit site (in progress)
"This case study tells the story of how we designed "AI Game Finder," a platform that helps gamers discover games they'll truly love."
"This case study tells the story of how we designed "AI Game Finder," a platform that helps gamers discover games they'll truly love."
the challenge
Lost in a Sea of Games
the challenge
Lost in a Sea of Games
Imagine spending hours searching for a new game, only to end up frustrated and disappointed. This is the reality for many gamers today.
Our survey shows that 42% of gamers find it difficult to discover new games. They spend too much time searching and often end up disappointed with their choices.
We're building "AI Game Finder" to fix that.
Imagine spending hours searching for a new game, only to end up frustrated and disappointed. This is the reality for many gamers today.
Our survey shows that 42% of gamers find it difficult to discover new games. They spend too much time searching and often end up disappointed with their choices.
We're building "AI Game Finder" to fix that.
my role
From Research to Reality
my role
From Research to Reality
I played a key role in all stages of the AI Game Finder project, from user research to preparing the design for development. Working closely with two other UX/UI designers, I focused on:
I played a key role in all stages of the AI Game Finder project, from user research to preparing the design for development. Working closely with two other UX/UI designers, I focused on:
Understanding Users
Understanding Users
I led user research, conducting surveys and in-depth interviews to understand gamer needs and frustrations. I used empathy and affinity maps to synthesize findings.
I led user research, conducting surveys and in-depth interviews to understand gamer needs and frustrations. I used empathy and affinity maps to synthesize findings.
Shaping the Solution
Shaping the Solution
I performed competitive analysis, identified opportunities, and translated user insights into user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes (using Figma).
I performed competitive analysis, identified opportunities, and translated user insights into user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes (using Figma).
Ensuring Quality
Ensuring Quality
I planned and executed usability testing, iterating on the design based on user feedback.
I planned and executed usability testing, iterating on the design based on user feedback.
Collaboration & Handoff
Collaboration & Handoff
I collaborated closely with the design team throughout the project, and I'm currently leading the handoff to development. I created user personas.
I collaborated closely with the design team throughout the project, and I'm currently leading the handoff to development. I created user personas.
The Plan
The Plan
For AI Game Finder, we planned a user-centered approach, focusing on understanding gamers' needs and building a platform that truly works for them. Our key steps were:
For AI Game Finder, we planned a user-centered approach, focusing on understanding gamers' needs and building a platform that truly works for them. Our key steps were:
Understanding Users
Understanding Users
Research: Deep dive into gamer preferences through surveys and interviews, plus analyze existing platforms.
Design: Create user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes in Figma, based on our research.
Test: Get feedback from real gamers and constantly improve the design.
Research: Deep dive into gamer preferences through surveys and interviews, plus analyze existing platforms.
Design: Create user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes in Figma, based on our research.
Test: Get feedback from real gamers and constantly improve the design.
research
Diving Deep into the Gamer's Mind
research
Diving Deep into the Gamer's Mind
To build AI Game Finder, we needed to understand what gamers really want. We did three main things:
To build AI Game Finder, we needed to understand what gamers really want. We did three main things:
Surveys
Surveys
Inteviews
Inteviews
Literature review
Literature review
Survey
Survey
We surveyed over 422 gamers and found that 42% struggle to find new games they like. They want recommendations that are personalized, not generic.
We surveyed over 422 gamers and found that 42% struggle to find new games they like. They want recommendations that are personalized, not generic.
user interview
user interview
They told us they want recommendations that match their current mood, and they value honest reviews and gameplay previews.
They told us they want recommendations that match their current mood, and they value honest reviews and gameplay previews.
"I want to find games that fit how I'm feeling right now."
– Anonymous Gamer Quote
"I want to find games that fit how I'm feeling right now."
– Anonymous Gamer Quote
Game details are important, not everbody knows about every game
Game details are important, not everbody knows about every game
"I have no idea what games exist, and usually i find them randomly"
– Anonymous Gamer Quote
"I have no idea what games exist, and usually i find them randomly"
– Anonymous Gamer Quote
Gamers often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of games available and don't know where to start
Gamers often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of games available and don't know where to start
"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are so many games out there, it's impossible to try them all."
– Anonymous Gamer Quote
"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are so many games out there, it's impossible to try them all."
– Anonymous Gamer Quote
Literature review
Literature review
Showed us the growing number of gamers.
AI usage for better recommendation.
Showed how gamers use video games for decision-making.
Showed us the growing number of gamers.
AI usage for better recommendation.
Showed how gamers use video games for decision-making.
research analysis
Turning data into action
research analysis
Turning data into action
research analysis
Turning data into action
We didn't just collect data – we made sense of it. We used a few key methods to understand what our research was really telling us:
We didn't just collect data – we made sense of it. We used a few key methods to understand what our research was really telling us:
empathy maps
empathy maps
We used these to step into the shoes of different types of gamers and understand their needs, goals, and frustrations.
We used these to step into the shoes of different types of gamers and understand their needs, goals, and frustrations.
affinity mapping
affinity mapping
This helped us organize all the information from our interviews and surveys. We grouped similar ideas together to find the big themes.
This helped us organize all the information from our interviews and surveys. We grouped similar ideas together to find the big themes.
Key Insights
Key Insights
Gamers want recommendations that fit them
Gamers want recommendations that fit them
They want to know why a game is recommended.
They want to know why a game is recommended.
Friends and community play a big role.
Friends and community play a big role.
Players want help finding unique games, not just the popular ones.
Players want help finding unique games, not just the popular ones.
Honest Information.
Honest Information.
define
Crafting the Experience
define
Crafting the Experience
Based on our research and a clear understanding of the challenges gamers face, we set out to define the core elements of "AI Game Finder" – a platform designed to make game discovery personal, efficient, and enjoyable.
Based on our research and a clear understanding of the challenges gamers face, we set out to define the core elements of "AI Game Finder" – a platform designed to make game discovery personal, efficient, and enjoyable.
meet leo
meet leo
Leo, a computer science student from Oslo, represents our core user. He loves gaming to unwind after a long day, but often struggles to find games that fit his mood and preference for immersive, single-player experiences with strong narratives.
Leo, a computer science student from Oslo, represents our core user. He loves gaming to unwind after a long day, but often struggles to find games that fit his mood and preference for immersive, single-player experiences with strong narratives.
A Day in Leo's Life
A Day in Leo's Life
Tired after a long day, Leo faces the usual frustration: endless scrolling through game libraries, unsure what to choose. Then, he opens "AI Game Finder." Instead of endless scrolling, he selects "Relaxing & Story-Driven," instantly sees personalized recommendations, and confidently downloads a game that's exactly what he's looking for.
Tired after a long day, Leo faces the usual frustration: endless scrolling through game libraries, unsure what to choose. Then, he opens "AI Game Finder." Instead of endless scrolling, he selects "Relaxing & Story-Driven," instantly sees personalized recommendations, and confidently downloads a game that's exactly what he's looking for.
Key User Needs
Key User Needs
Find the Right Game, Fast: No more endless scrolling.
Find the Right Game, Fast: No more endless scrolling.
Personalized Picks
Personalized Picks
Mood Matching: Games that fit his current mood.
Mood Matching: Games that fit his current mood.
Honest reviews and gameplay previews.
Honest reviews and gameplay previews.
Hidden Gems: Discover unique games.
Hidden Gems: Discover unique games.
Competitive Analysis
Finding Our Niche
Competitive Analysis
Finding Our Niche
Competitive Analysis
Finding Our Niche
We looked at how other platforms help gamers find new games. We wanted to see what they do well and where they fall short. This helped us understand how our platform could be better.
We looked at how other platforms help gamers find new games. We wanted to see what they do well and where they fall short. This helped us understand how our platform could be better.
steam
steam
What They Do Well
What They Do Well
Big selection of games, community reviews, sales.
Big selection of games, community reviews, sales.
Where They Fall Short
Where They Fall Short
Recommendations are often too general, not personal enough. Focuses on popular games, not hidden gems.
Recommendations are often too general, not personal enough. Focuses on popular games, not hidden gems.
How our platform Will Be Different
How our platform Will Be Different
More personalized recommendations, using AI to understand your tastes. Help you find unique games you'll love.
More personalized recommendations, using AI to understand your tastes. Help you find unique games you'll love.
youtube
youtube
What They Do Well
What They Do Well
Lots of game videos and reviews. Lets you see the game in action.
Lots of game videos and reviews. Lets you see the game in action.
Where They Fall Short
Where They Fall Short
Recommendations are based only on what you've watched, not your overall gaming preferences.
Recommendations are based only on what you've watched, not your overall gaming preferences.
How our platform Will Be Different
How our platform Will Be Different
We'll use AI to understand all your gaming interests, not just what you watch, for better recommendations.
We'll use AI to understand all your gaming interests, not just what you watch, for better recommendations.
ideate
Brainstorming Our Way
ideate
Brainstorming Our Way
We knew this platform had to be more than just another list of games. It had to be a smart, personal companion for every gamer. To achieve this, we dove into a whirlwind of brainstorming, mapping, and prioritizing.
We knew this platform had to be more than just another list of games. It had to be a smart, personal companion for every gamer. To achieve this, we dove into a whirlwind of brainstorming, mapping, and prioritizing.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming
Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping
$100 and NUF Test
$100 Test
NUF Test
Key Features
Key Features
Based on brainstorming and voting we picked these key features to have in our project
Based on brainstorming and voting we picked these key features to have in our project
A smart engine that understands your unique gaming tastes
A smart engine that understands your unique gaming tastes
Find games that match exactly how you're feeling
Find games that match exactly how you're feeling
Share discoveries and see what friends are playing
Share discoveries and see what friends are playing
Design & Prototype
Bringing Idea to Life
Design & Prototype
Bringing Idea to Life
Design & Prototype
Bringing Idea to Life
We translated our ideas into a working prototype, starting with simple sketches and evolving to a detailed, interactive design.
We translated our ideas into a working prototype, starting with simple sketches and evolving to a detailed, interactive design.
This shows how a user finds a game using "AI Game Finder," from start to finish.
This shows how a user finds a game using "AI Game Finder," from start to finish.
Fun part! Paper sketches!
Fun part! Paper sketches!
We started with basic sketches to map out the core screens.
We started with basic sketches to map out the core screens.
Testing
Learning from Real Users
Testing
Learning from Real Users
We put "AI Game Finder" in the hands of gamers to see how it worked in the real world.
We put "AI Game Finder" in the hands of gamers to see how it worked in the real world.
Key Findings
Key Findings
Users were confused by the initial onboarding process.
Users were confused by the initial onboarding process.
Fixes
Fixes
The redesigned onboarding focuses solely on the AI-powered chat
The redesigned onboarding focuses solely on the AI-powered chat
Enabling users to instantly request game recommendations using any of the available options
Enabling users to instantly request game recommendations using any of the available options
Signing up is optional, but readily available for users who wish to save games.
Signing up is optional, but readily available for users who wish to save games.
Then, we added detail and visual polish.
Then, we added detail and visual polish.
Not sure what to play? Our in-app chat and AI quiz make finding your next favorite game easy and engaging.
Not sure what to play? Our in-app chat and AI quiz make finding your next favorite game easy and engaging.
Your personal game library shows each game's key information, including its rating, making it easy to manage your collection.
Your personal game library shows each game's key information, including its rating, making it easy to manage your collection.
Don`t forget desktop version!
Don`t forget desktop version!
Conclusion
Making Game Discovery Fun Again
Conclusion
Making Game Discovery Fun Again
We set out to build a platform that would make finding new games a joy. And while is still a work in progress, we're incredibly proud of what we've accomplished. We listened to gamers, learned from their frustrations, and designed a solution that we believe truly addresses their needs.
We set out to build a platform that would make finding new games a joy. And while is still a work in progress, we're incredibly proud of what we've accomplished. We listened to gamers, learned from their frustrations, and designed a solution that we believe truly addresses their needs.
Next Steps
Next Steps
We'll continue to gather feedback from gamers and refine the design.
We'll continue to gather feedback from gamers and refine the design.
We plan to train our AI on even more data, making recommendations even more accurate and personalized.
We plan to train our AI on even more data, making recommendations even more accurate and personalized.
We're exploring ways to build a strong community around "AI Game Finder," allowing gamers to connect, share recommendations, and discover hidden gems together.
We're exploring ways to build a strong community around "AI Game Finder," allowing gamers to connect, share recommendations, and discover hidden gems together.
Add more statistics about the games
Add more statistics about the games
Thanks for reading! :)