Briscola

Overview

In 2016 I was asked to take care of the new update for one of the most successful games of OutOfTheBit. But it wasn't a simple update, I had to create a system through which our already existing users would fall even more in love with the product as well as new ones coming would find it more appealing and up to date. The first Briscola came out in 2011, becoming the most downloaded of its kind in Italy and many other countries.

Objective

The goal of this project I was assigned was to make sure players kept staying with us when they wanted to play this card game, keeping it fresh and interactive. As I later did for other games, too (see Four in a Row), I designed a retention-improvement system where the players could track their stats at the end of the game, collect achievements for completing tasks and climb an exciting leaderboard by playing online.

Process

Process Step 1: Brainstorming & Product Set Up

La Briscola always had a very special place in the hearts of many italians both living in Italy and abroad, so with this one being the most successful in the world, I knew I had to design something impeccable in order to make this classic card game future proof! The first step of the design process made me come up with some valuable ideas while keeping the door open for constructive feedback from experienced players.

Process Step 2: Layout & Style Search

Once we were happy with the completion of Step 1 and where it brought us, I started designed the new retention-improvement system I had previously just theorized. The challenge was to make it open to also appear in other games (as Four in a Row, and more) to make it stand out as a company trait, rather than something specific to just this one game. Also I explored some ideas for different background and decks.

Process Step 3: Production

We extensively tried and tested the new retention system, which was at the core of this game's update together with all other changes we made. Once we were all happy with how it was working under virtually any aspect, I moved on to the production step. I created dozens of icons for this update, keeping them consistent and somehow both traditional and clear for an elder audience and modern for younger one.