As a bookworm, I was late discovering the world of video games. Thanks to my former engineer colleagues who eagerly introduced me to their gaming world, I can now proudly say I can finish a PS5 RPG game alone! It’s a significant achievement for someone who still feels like throwing the controller away when a monster approaches.

The more I play the game, the more I admire the game designers and developers for their focus on user experience. When we put on our design critic glasses, there are many things we can learn from video game design(I will only refer to RPG games here).

New user onboarding, once and for all

As a new gamer, I faced a steep learning curve initially. However, I soon realized that there are many common user behavior patterns across different games. For instance, using a controller is similar among various games. Once I get accustomed to using the controller in one game, all subsequent games become much easier. Eventually, the interaction becomes second nature.

This reminds me of Apple products. Once users learn to interact with one Apple product, they can easily navigate other products with minimum or no onboarding required. This consistency certainly increases loyalty.

Full user control and hidden user flows

One interesting thing about RPG games is that they feel 100% user-centered.

As the gamer, you are the only one who controls the storyline, how to hit and run, and which parts of the map to unlock. However, everything is designed. There are likely multiple predesigned user flows, but they are hidden, giving you the feeling of complete control.

As a result, the entire experience feels immersive and coherent. It is fully responsive, and every little interaction feels uniquely designed for the user.

I’ve noticed that many entertainment apps use a similar tactic, albeit on different scales. For example, the content that you see on YouTube or Spotify will differ from what I see.

This is achieved by giving users control over the algorithm. Each like, dislike, follow, and unfollow button is designed to tailor the product to you, making it unique to your preferences.

Storytelling

To learn storytelling, you must first love and experience good stories. Many mediums can help you with this, such as books, films, and TV dramas, but video games are unique. Why? They allow you to control the main characters, bringing you closer to the medium.

My favorite RPG games are all story-oriented. Some examples include the Final Fantasy series, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Detroit. These games have captivating stories that evoke emotions, causing players to both laugh and cry.

Emotions are the secret sauce of all good stories. The ups and downs of life’s journey transcend everything and bind us together.

That’s why there’s no shame in telling a story of failure in your case studies. And also why “how the product makes people feel” requires your careful design.

Above are some quick learnings from my recent video game adventures. Do you also play video games? Share with us your learnings as well.