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LEGO STARWARS:Starfall Rebellion
Develop trauma-informed research with psychological support, ensuring safe participation for vulnerable users, while designing accessible solutions that meet the needs of diverse users, including children in foster care, survivors of abuse, ex-convicts, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
Challenge
PROCESS HIGHLIGHTSProject Overview
Team
UX/UI Designer
UX Researcher
Supported by 16 developers
Timeline
January 2023 - June 2023
Skills
Focus groups and interviews · surveys · etnographic reaserch · heuristic test · usability test · user Journey · benchmarking · user personas
Tools
Axolot Engine (our own engine)
Figma, Illustrator and Photoshop
Unity
Role
UX/UI Designer
Level Designer
Researcher
Timeline
January 2023 - November 2023
Skills
User-Centric Approach · Immersive Environment Design · User Journey Mapping in Gaming · Iterative Design and Playtesting · UI Design for Gaming Interfaces · Data-Driven Decision-Making
Tools
Axolot Engine (our own)
Figma
Illustrator and Photoshop
Unity
Starfall Rebellion Trailer
What I have worked on
As the sole designer in the class, my role was multifaceted, encompassing the ideation and development of the final game design concepts for Starfall Rebellion. This included crafting the overarching narrative, defining the main characters, conceptualizing enemies, and devising the mechanics that would immerse players into the Star Wars universe.
Beyond conceptualization, I delved into the intricacies of level design, with a particular focus on the dynamic movement of characters and enemies throughout various game levels. Notably, I dedicated substantial attention to crafting an engaging and challenging sewer level, where the environment itself became a crucial component of the gameplay experience.
Level Design Planning - some of the images we use for reference
During the level design phase, our specialized team focused on the Sewers group, under my leadership. Extensive research involved exploring visual references, historical sewer structures, and analyzing similar game environments to establish foundational elements such as atmosphere, visual details, and potential game mechanics specific to the Sewers.
Meticulous planning followed to define the sewer level as an underground journey filled with challenges, emphasizing a theme of darkness and dampness. Detailed drawings outlined layout, strategic obstacle placement, and specific areas as points of interest or challenges. The subsequent blockout creation translated these ideas into the initial prototype using engine tools, adhering to the outlined map.
Playtesting identified areas for improvement, ensuring a balanced and thrilling player experience. Collaborating with art and programming teams, the vision was seamlessly integrated into the game. Final phases focused on polishing and optimizing the level, adjusting lighting, music, and element placement for an immersive experience. This collaborative and multifaceted approach ensured the Sewers level not only met expectations but also became a standout and memorable part of the overall gaming experience.
Context
One of my notable projects is the creation of Starfall Rebellion, an action-adventure game set in the iconic Star Wars universe, drawing inspiration from the beloved Lego Star Wars games. As a UX designer, my focus was on crafting an engaging and seamless player journey. In Starfall Rebellion, players are empowered to control two characters, each equipped with unique abilities, navigating through two captivating levels filled with Star Wars-inspired challenges. The user experience is carefully curated to ensure fluid interaction, intuitive controls, and an overall immersive gameplay environment.
In the oppressive world of the planet Coltran, ruled by an Evil Corporation sponsored by the Sith Empire, the game unfolds as a tale of crime, poverty, slavery, and lawlessness. The protagonist, Bix, initially driven by a desire for wealth, falls victim to corporate betrayal, losing her ship and ending up in the treacherous sewers.
After enduring five years of harsh life in the sewers, Bix emerges with a resolve for revenge. Escaping to the hangars, she plans to reclaim her ship and flee into space. Formulating a strategy to confront the Top Man, Bix infiltrates the corporation's space station, the Hand of Dominion, where she encounters a new ally, Allura. Together, they embark on a quest to dismantle the corporation's influence on the planet.
As the protagonists battle through the space station and confront the Top Man, an epic showdown ensues, resulting in his demise. However, conflicting goals emerge, revealing that Bix's true intention was not just to defeat the corporation but to seize control for herself and her beliefs.
Set in a distant galaxy within the Star Wars universe, the game features elements that resonate with the iconic movies and comics, providing players with a familiar yet unique experience.
Starfall Rebellion, developed in our In-house Axolotl Engine, which was crafted specifically for this adventure. This engine features a wide range of useful tools, including a robust physics system, seamless animation management, and an intuitive 2D canvas system, among lots of other tools.
However, where my efforts truly excelled was in the realm of user experience (UX). This involved a comprehensive understanding of our target audience, meticulously mapping out the user journey, conducting insightful interviews, and leveraging data visualization to discern user tendencies. The emphasis on UX was not only theoretical but also practical, with a hands-on approach to designing and developing the interface.
In the domain of user interface (UI) design, I aimed to create a cohesive and representative visual identity that resonated with the Star Wars saga. The interface became a conduit for players to seamlessly interact with the game, ensuring that controls were intuitive, navigation was fluid, and the overall visual aesthetics were aligned with the iconic Star Wars universe.
Through a fusion of creativity and user-centric design principles, my contributions went beyond conventional game design. They encapsulated a holistic approach, where narrative, gameplay mechanics, and user experience converged to deliver an immersive and memorable gaming adventure in Starfall Rebellion.
Here you can download the latest release of the game.
