design tips for series 40 game developers

1

Design tips for Series 40 game developers

© Nokia 2012 Design_tips_for_Series_40_game_developers.pptx 2012-09-13 Jan Krebber

Overview

2 © Nokia 2012 Design_tips_for_Series_40_game_developers.pptx 2012-09-13 Jan Krebber

Overview • Series 40 full touch specific characteristics • Navigation and settings • In-game interaction • Take home messages • Exercises

Series 40 full touch specific characteristics


This is an entry level phone.


The compact phone is equipped with a 3’’ screen and acceleration sensors.


Navigation and settings


People want to start, pause and exit a mobile game fast – with one tap.


Allow people to skip the intro.


Avoid scrolling and swiping to access any feature.


Example: Make it big.


Split screens up into 2 screens when necessary.


E7 Symbian Belle

Series 40 full touch

Do not rely on icons only.


Be consistent with icon metaphors – text might solve the problem.


There is no focus in Series 40 touch phones.


Hide all non-touch related views and check your help text about non-touch.


Combine sound settings at the start with other settings or calls-to-action.


Settings should be persistent and mute sound if the phone is silent.


Always ensure a way back to the game.


Use a virtual keyboard with QWERTY layout, not with ABCDEF nor a tumbler.


Drill down structure suits for most of the games.


Take care of your business drivers.


In-game interaction


A button is a button and a button is a button.


Make navigation and special function buttons visible.


In portrait, one finger easily hides 1/3 of the relevant screen area.


Resistive screens might have trouble with multipoint gestures.


Do drag and drop with an offset, since you do not see the target otherwise.


screen screen

people’s view

screen

people’s view

Dialogs must put everything else to the background.


If levels take longer than seconds, find a way to continue where terminated.


Test it – on the device not only on the workstation.


Take home messages


Adapt the interaction to the limited screen real estate.


More on the topic:


Game design: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Design_and_UX/#!designing-different-applications/game-design.html UX Library: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Full_Touch/ UX Checklist: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Full_Touch/#!ux-checklist.html Icon Creation: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Full_Touch/#!icon-creation.html UI Components: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Full_Touch/#!ui-components.html UI Components Demos App: https://projects.developer.nokia.com/s40uivisualisation UX Basics: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Design_and_UX/ Wiki article to this webinar: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Community/Wiki/Series_40_UI_game_design_tips_webinar_%E2%80%93_companion_article

http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Design_and_UX/


http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Full_Touch/









https://projects.developer.nokia.com/s40uivisualisation





http://www.developer.nokia.com/Community/Wiki/Series_40_UI_game_design_tips_webinar_%E2%80%93_companion_article



Exercises


Exercise: What is the minimum size of a standard touch area and its margin?


- The answer should relate to size in cm and amount of pixels in Series 40 full touch devices.

Exercise: How would you catch up for a too small touch area?


E.g. Your touch area is only 4 mm x 4 mm, with only 0,3 mm margin, what would you do to support people playing with your game?

Exercise: What does your application do if people press the red end key?


Exercise: The phone is muted, but the user set ”sound on” during the last game session. How does your game behave now that it is opened?


Exercise: How would you change the following UI component?


Exercise: Where would you place your in-app purchase access?


Exercise: How does your game handle the backlight timeout?


You find more information from here: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Resources/Library/Design_and_UX/#!designing-different-applications/game-design/game-user-experience-guidelines.html





Thanks to: - Anne Kivimaa - Sanna Hiukka


Thanks [email protected]


design tips for series 40 game developers

Entertainment & Humor

settings6 nokia

game developers1 nokia

game interaction23 nokia

home messages32 nokia

home messages exercises2

touche7 symbian belle12

game design

amobile game