↗ Task
Due to the ongoing hype of Pokemon Go and the lack of young consumers, the Romanian shopping center “Sun Plaza” set the goal to attract a younger audience by using the latest technologies. The idea was to create an app with which one can play a virtual scavenger hunt. The original idea for the game came from the company “THISPLAY”. By attaching 85 beacons, it was possible to track the player’s approximate position and, with the help of a virtual decoder, make treasure chests appear at desired locations.
↗ Planning
After the rough concept for the game, it was time to plan the game mechanism and the app architecture via wireframes down to the smallest detail. The app should also include an event calendar, a cinema program and a list of available stores. However, the heart of the app should be the game. We developed various design concepts that should match the existing corporate design of the mall but at the same time not look too playful or childish. The client chose a warm, caribbean style which we overlaid with real textures like paper, metal and wood and also incorporated elements and styles from modern games. The 3D Elements were inspired by the art of mayans.
↗ Journey
To play the game, the player must be in the mall. After a short initial onboarding, the player first sees a dashboard that displays an overview of open and completed achievements. Completing various tasks is rewarded with the virtual currency “SunCoin”. When selecting a task or tapping on the treasure chest in the navigation, one is redirected to the game. In order to familiarize oneself with the mechanics of the game, onboarding in AR starts first, which works regardless of location. After successful completion, the player gets his first SunCoins and is asked to walk through the mall with the detector open and discover more treasure chests. The player can now spend the SunCoins at a virtual slot machine and redeem them for random prizes. The game also includes many other small mechanisms such as locked chests, crabs stealing SunCoins and a level system. There are also large touch-sensitive monitors in the mall where you can play and collect SunCoins via your own app.
↗ Learnings
Because the functionality of AR has not yet fully arrived in the masses, we have put special emphasis on a clean onboarding. Through several user-testings and optimization of the mechanisms, we were able to create a bridge between 2D and 3D and maximize the fun of the game. Furthermore, it was a big challenge to find a balance between the game and the informative part of the app. Through the hierarchy in the menu and the clever placement of nudges, we were able to both inform and playfully guide the user through the mall.
↗ Contribution
Concept, UX, UI
↗ Year
2019-2021
↗ Company
svarmony
↗ Download
App Store
Google Play Store