Case Study: Valorant Buddy
Concept App
In an effort to re-establish my proficiency in UX/UI design, I embarked on a personal project lasting two weeks, resulting in the creation of a concept app named Valorant Buddy. This app was designed with the intent of not only providing new players with a comprehensive introduction to the game but also allowing experienced players to stay up to date with the latest news, skins, and stats. The idea was inspired by my year-long experience playing the game, where I observed new players struggling to acclimatize to the game and identified areas for improvement.
Valorant is a free-to-play team-based first-person shooter, developed and published by Riot Games in June 2020. The game’s main mode assigns players to either attacking or defending teams, with each team consisting of five players. Players can employ a variety of agents with unique abilities, allowing for diverse strategies to plant the Spike and defeat opponents.
What is Valorant?
The Problem
The issue that prompted the creation of the Valorant Buddy app was the lack of adequate resources to help new players adjust to the game. While the tutorial provided a basic understanding of the game, players needed to learn more about each agent’s role and abilities to succeed.
Additionally, since the in-game market is time-sensitive, it was necessary to create a mobile app for players to purchase skins and bundles away from their computer. Lastly, I aimed to facilitate easier communication between friends via a mobile app.
Interview Findings
To gain further insight into players’ experiences and opinions, I conducted interviews with several players, gathering information about their expectations when installing the game, their familiarity with agents’ abilities, their learning curve, and their use of the in-game market. Half of the interviewees had prior knowledge of the game, while the other half relied on word-of-mouth recommendations from friends.
When it came to learning about agents’ abilities and the gameplay, half of the players utilized various online resources such as videos, streams, and esports events, while the other half relied on hands-on experience. Finally, all interviewees reported checking the market either daily or when they played the game.
PERSONAS
The Casual Gamer:
Kayla
• 20 Year old uni student studying graphic design
• Likes to play spike rush by herself and unrated with her friends
• Only plays two characters and is still trying to get used to their abilities
Kayla was introduced to Valorant by her friends and enjoys playing Spike Rush solo and Unrated with them. As a new player, she initially struggled to grasp the mechanics, relying on friends for guidance. Currently, she knows two characters and is learning their abilities, as well as others'. Kayla occasionally browses the in-game market for skins, purchasing them only when on sale and if she has extra money. She prefers to stay quiet during matches to avoid poor callouts. Her focus is on learning agents, maps, and improving through tutorials.
The Radient Player Gamer:
Tyson
• 26 Year old working Ful time in it
• is a huge fan of other games such as counter strike and overwatch
• plays unrated and competitive with friends and sometimes on his owns
• Knows all the various characters and abilities
He is very interested in tactical FPS games and likes Valorant because it combines elements from CSGO and Overwatch. He plays solo and with friends in both casual and competitive modes. He learned about Valorant's gameplay and agent skills by watching streamers and relying on his FPS game experience. He has a good selection of agents and understands their abilities well. He frequently checks the in-game store and buys skins during sales, especially those with a red design. He makes helpful callouts during games and encourages his team. He stays updated on news and explores the in-game shop for new discounts.