We unpack a few of the UX secrets that Royal Match uses to keep their audience captivated and playing over and over again.
Royal Match is an excellent game that offers fun, engaging gameplay and constantly introduces new mini-games and content. However, what truly sets Royal Match apart from other Match 3 games is its exceptional user experience (UX).
While Match 3 games are everywhere, playing Royal Match creates a unique and captivating experience that sets it apart. To gain insights into what makes the game stand out, we interviewed a top UX expert who shared their perspective on Royal Match and explained why it feels so distinct from other games in the genre.
Hopefully, you will acquire practical insights to enhance your own game or gain a better understanding of UX.
Let's go.
UX Lesson #1: Keep your colors simple.
"Royal Match" distinguishes itself from other games with its exceptional attention to detail in both aesthetics and gameplay. The vibrant color palette and distinct shapes create a visual feast for players, enhancing their overall experience. What sets "Royal Match" apart is the ingenious use of high contrast primary colors, which not only add to the visual appeal but also contribute to the intuitiveness of the gameplay. The high contrast ensures that players can easily distinguish between different game pieces, allowing for smooth and seamless gameplay. This thoughtful design choice not only enhances the visual aspect of the game but also improves the overall gameplay experience, making "Royal Match" truly stand out in the world of mobile gaming.
Actionable Tip: Different hues can significantly impact mood and player engagement. Experiment with color combinations and shapes to resonate with your audience. Don’t be afraid to keep it simple with vibrant primary colors that help communicate differences clearly.
UX Lesson #2: Don’t slow down
The gameplay of this match 3 game has a subtle yet significant difference that sets it apart from other Match3 games. It introduces a small, innovative mechanic that may easily go unnoticed unless you're looking for it. In addition to the usual gameplay mechanics, players are now able to make moves even during cascades, which adds a whole new level of excitement and keeps the gameplay consistently dynamic and engaging throughout the entire experience.
Unlike many other games where players have to wait for animations to finish before making their next move, in this game, there is no such interruption. The game board feels alive and ready for interaction at all times, allowing players to keep going without any breaks or delays.
This unique approach to gameplay not only adds a refreshing twist to the match 3 genre but also enhances the overall gaming experience. By enabling players to make moves during cascades, the game maintains a fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping atmosphere, ensuring that players are always on the edge of their seats. It adds an element of strategy and quick thinking, as players need to react and adapt to the changing board in real-time.
Furthermore, this mechanic contributes to the game's replay value and long-term engagement. With the ability to make moves during cascades, players can explore different strategies and experiment with various combinations, constantly seeking to improve their performance and achieve higher scores. This continuous interactivity and freedom to make moves at any time keep players immersed and invested in the game for extended periods.
Actionable Tip: Challenge conventional game mechanics. Use player feedback to introduce fresh elements, keeping the gameplay exciting.
UX Lesson #3: Haptic Feedback
"Royal Match" is an innovative game that utilizes cutting-edge haptic feedback technology to enhance the user experience. By incorporating haptic feedback, the game provides a more immersive and engaging gameplay, making each interaction feel more realistic and satisfying. With every tap, swipe, or gesture, the haptic feedback adds a tactile dimension that adds depth and richness to the overall gaming experience. This unique feature sets "Royal Match" apart from other games, allowing players to truly feel connected to the virtual world they are exploring. So, get ready to dive into a whole new level of excitement and enjoyment with "Royal Match" and experience the game like never before!
Actionable Tip: Utilize haptic technology. Find the right balance of feedback intensity and patterns to enhance the gaming experience.
UX Lesson #4: Be Generous with Rewards
Royal Match is known for its exceptional ability to strike a perfect balance between providing players with ample in-game currency and boosters, while also presenting them with a satisfying level of challenge. This delicate equilibrium ensures that players are constantly engaged and motivated to keep pushing for greater achievements and rewards. It's this harmonious blend of generous rewards and captivating difficulty that truly sets Royal Match apart from other games in its genre.
Royal Match also knows that their players are competitive. So making levels somewhat frustrating and “almost winnable” helps keep their mouth salivating and eager to purchase boosters.
Actionable Tip: Create a reward system that motivates and challenges your players. Use analytics to understand player behavior and adjust the rewards accordingly. Remember, a well-balanced game keeps players coming back.
UX Lesson #5: Make it easy to share
The design of the game actively promotes and motivates players to share their unique and exciting experiences with others, transforming the gameplay into memorable social media moments. By doing so, it not only creates a sense of community and connection among players but also serves as a powerful tool for attracting and engaging new players who are intrigued by the shared experiences and the potential fun they can have while playing the game.
Actionable Tip: Design with social shareability in mind. Include unique, visually appealing elements that players will want to share, and leverage social media to build a community around your game.
Final thoughts
Royal Match's competitive edge isn’t just in gameplay but in its design philosophy. It's a testament to how meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to superior UX can create a captivating gaming experience that keeps players returning for more.
Maybe next time you have a designer in the room, listen a bit more closely and see what softer design elements you and your game has overlooked.