Arcana Arcade

What is Arcana Arcade?

Arcana Arcade is a physics-based, player-vs-player touchtable experience where players use their fingers to draw out symbols pertaining to spells, and then fling those spells to cast them onto the board. Players start by selecting which faction they will battle as, with each faction controlling two elements: Fire & Lightning, and Ice & Wind. These spells can be cast to: damage the opponent player, set up defenses, or create special effects. Players will try to deal as much damage during their playtime in order to defeat their opponent. This was a group project that was presented at the annual FUSE event Bradley University’s Interactive Media Department held in 2023.

My Role

As a member of the UX team, I contributed to creating an engaging and user-friendly experience for Arcana Arcade. My primary responsibilities included:

 

  • Logo Conceptualization: Designed concepts for the project logo that visually aligned with the game’s mystical and elemental themes.
  • UI Design: I designed interface elements such as buttons, making sure they were aesthetically pleasing, and consistent with the game’s fantasy-driven style.
  • User Testing: Designed and implemented playtesting forms to gather feedback from users. This feedback helps our team improve both the gameplay mechanics and user interface.
StartScreen

Design Challenges

  1. Gesture-Based Gameplay 
    • Challenge: Ensuring that players could seamlessly draw symbols and cast spells without confusion.
    • Solution: Collaborated with developers to test various symbol recognition and refined UI prompts to guide players.
  2. Identity Through UI
    • Challenge: Differentiating Fire & Lightning from Ice & Wind in a way that felt cohesive and immersive.
    • Solution: Incorporated elemental motifs and distinct color palettes into buttons and HUD elements to show identity.
  3. Engagement Through Feedback
    • Challenge: Balancing simplicity with the complexity of spell mechanics to keep players engaged without overwhelming them.
    • Solution: Used insights from playtesting forms to adjust spell effects, pacing, and clarity of visual feedback.

Outcomes

  1. Successful Presentation: Arcana Arcade drew significant attention at the FUSE event, with positive feedback highlighting its unique blend of intuitive controls and engaging design.
  2. Enhanced Gameplay: Iterative refinements based on user feedback improved the clarity of gestures and the responsiveness of the UI.
  3. Team Collaboration: Working closely with developers, artists, and playtesters improved my ability to contribute effectively within a team.

Reflection

  1. Working on Arcana Arcade was a rewarding experience that deepened my skills in designing interactive experiences, particularly in the context of multiplayer gaming. The opportunity to blend intuitive UX design with creative storytelling pushed me to think critically about user interaction, visual consistency, and feedback.

    Key Takeaways

    • Always involve users early and often to guide design improvements.
    • Consistency in visual design creates a seamless and immersive experience.
    • Collaboration across disciplines is key to bringing a complex project to life.

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jhcamargo1968@gmail.com

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