Thinking about a product from the perspective of a hero [Thinking about fictional UI]
Thinking about fictional UI
For the second theme of the Visual Communication Research Lab, we worked on the theme of "designing UI for a fictional world."
Among the many interesting ideas that came from the members, I decided to try making a product to help the hero in a game world.
A product for the hero
Target: The Hero
The hero I thought about this time is an open-world hero.
For example, someone like Link from Breath of the Wild. To save the world, they run around a vast world alone and keep fighting.
They are a sincere and honest person who challenges strong, massive bosses, dying and reviving over and over again to keep trying. They are basically silent.
The problem the hero faces: Even heroes are afraid of dying
By the way, in a game called Elden Ring that I was playing until recently, I get defeated 20 times by a single boss. No matter how many times you can revive, getting defeated is painful.
I took on this problem with the self-imposed enthusiasm that such tragedies must not be repeated!
Question: How can a hero practice without actually fighting?
Regarding this problem, I thought that if the hero could analyze and practice their combat without actually fighting, the number of times the hero gets defeated might decrease even a little.
I thought, why not make an analysis tool like the ones common in modern sports? However, I realized there were several problems with making that for a hero.
Problem 1: It is difficult to acquire data
The hero has some kind of weapon in both hands and moves around a lot, so filming is difficult.
Problem 2: When and where to practice?
The hero is cool and has high pride, so they don't want to have an appearance that doesn't look like a hero.
It must be something appropriate as a hero's possession.
I thought of an idea that could solve these problems.
Idea: Shield-type combat analysis tool
So, I found something that the hero always carries that is perfect for filming.
Yes, it is a shield.
I thought that by attaching a camera to the shield, I could record the opponent's attacks while fighting.
Furthermore, by blocking the opponent's attacks with the shield, I can measure the power of the opponent's attacks from the impact given to the shield. (Rough sketch below)
Usage image
By using this shield-type combat analysis tool, you can record the boss's movements and attacks as follows, and take them home for analysis and training.
Actual analysis and training screen
Finally, I briefly created the actual analysis and training screen. (I'm a UI designer, but I spent way too much time on this...)
As a premise, I assumed the hero's media literacy isn't very high, so I haven't prepared any overly complex operations.
The list automatically displays enemies with the highest number of defeats (number of times recorded) at the top in a larger format.
The details show the types of boss attacks and their respective evasion rates. Selecting one plays a video of the attack, allowing the user to practice the timing for dodging.
Thoughts after thinking about it
I really felt that thinking about an actual product is difficult. The one I came up with this time is also full of problems.
If you record with a shield, the screen will be a mess while you're being attacked
Can the camera even withstand that?
I ignored those aspects this time using the power of magic, but I realized that just stepping outside the screen changes the scope of what you need to consider entirely.
Realizing that UI is just a means by thinking about a fictional world
More than that, even though the theme this time was "Let's think about a fictional UI," I realized I spent most of my time thinking about the product rather than the UI.
However, I feel this wasn't a coincidence, but inevitable. I feel like I was reminded that the majority of a hero's (user's) life takes place outside the screen.
As a UI designer, I tend to try to solve problems on the screen, but I must keep in mind that it is a means, not an end, when I design.
↓ Other members are also working on interesting themes, so please take a look!