PS5 Game Base
Role: Lead UX Designer
I was the lead designer for this product, working with a team of 3 designers. I joined to take over the product to improve the information architecture, interaction design, and feature set for release. Handed the product off to another lead designer to refine and bring to completion for console launch as I transitioned into a role to help address overall design operations needs within the larger design organization.
Business Opportunity
Reimagine the live and async social experience to connect players to other players via the games they play. Create methods to strongly bond groups of players through communication. Make communication engaging, fluid, and natural in context to the player’s gaming life journey.
Solution
We made what is a very complex product (because of the feature set scope, rich communication scenarios, and the need to continuously standardize with the PS5 OS Core experience) into a simple and intuitive experience.
Through user testing from concept to detailed product design evolved a communication experience that gives players the ability to richly connect and communicate whether they were in the middle of action, just finished a play session, or were away from the console.
The solution is integrated into the novel PS5 Control Center for quick access to features during gaming which included screen sharing, quick switching to different voice channels (game and party), as well as Share Play (play together remotely).
A full screen version of the app gives players the opportunity to connect and immerse themselves in their game base party which included the ability to filter shared media and more robust communication and member management.
Special Credits
Lead Design
Andy Lee
UX Design
Tom Sisrook, Hiroki Hirakawa, Eriko Shimamura
Visual Design
Maria Escobedo
Engineering Lead
Yasutaka Miwa
Product Management
Shogo Suzuki, Kei Yoneyama, Takehiko Tsurumi
User Research
Angela Robertson