Elden Ring

-Onboarding

Gamers have expressed issues with the onboarding experience in Elden Ring. This project aims to address the issue by offering a more user-friendly onboarding process.

UX Researcher

Background
  • Players found Elden Ring's onboarding process confusing.

  • Blocking boss attacks was nearly impossible.

  • No clear instructions were given on which keys to use.

Objectives
Outcome
  • Simplify understanding of game.

  • Provide clear instructions on key functions.

  • Enhance guidance through tutorials and tips.

  • Improve overall player engagement and satisfaction.

  • In-depth research, journey maps, personas and storyboard experiences

  • a fresh onboarding experience that would facilitate understanding and progression for both experienced gamers and newcomers

✍🏻

Project Scope
  • Game: Elden Ring

  • Timeframe: 12 weeks

  • My Role: UX Researcher

  • Team: 2 game developers, UX/UI Designer

  • Methods: Generative research, Workshop facilitation, Storyboards, Journey maps, Personas

  • Tools: Figma, Miro, Teams

The onboarding experience for Elden Ring and the individuals involved

in it.

Research

I conducted two rounds of research between 3 user groups, resulting in 38 unmoderated interviews.

The Methodology
  • The onboarding experience for new players unfamiliar with the Soulsborne series and action-RPGs. (Role Playing Games)

  • The onboarding experience for intermediate players who have some experience with action RPGs but are new to Elden Ring.

  • The onboarding experience for experienced Soulsborne players who are familiar with the series' mechanics and challenges.

The second round of research involved users assessing their confidence in completing specific tasks (identified during the first round of research), which provided valuable quantitative data.

Research Findings
Round 1
  • New players struggled with understanding game mechanics and controls.

  • Intermediate players faced challenges with advanced combat techniques.

  • Experienced players found onboarding redundant but missed some unique aspects of Elden Ring.

Round 2
  • New players struggled to grasp game mechanics, indicating inadequate onboarding support.

  • Intermediate players felt overwhelmed by the open-world and sought structured guidance.

  • Experienced players made mistakes with new mechanics, leading to frustration.

  • All players expressed a strong need for improved in-game tutorials and clearer instructions.

User Stories

User stories were created from the key points given by the interview participants

  • As someone who is new to the game, I feel I am left blind into the game to explore and help myself. It is difficult for a beginner and I need help on controls and buttons.

  • As a gamer, I want the tutorial to explain clearly the monsters I am facing and the spells I can use.

  • As a longtime gamer, I think the onboarding is alright, it lets gamers explore.

  • As a gamer, I feel adding more interactive elements or providing more detailed explanations of certain mechanics will be helpful

  • As a new gamer, I would like to see my progress in the game

  • As a new player, I wish to have a short and in-depth tutorial.

Persona

The Persona was easy to create with our design research analysis and the user stories. With the user persona, the team could empathise more with the end-users.

Competitive Analysis

I have compared similar games to understand what can be done to improve the onboarding process

New Player Persona:

  • Name: Sarah

  • Age: 22

  • Background: Sarah is new to action RPGs and has heard about Elden Ring through friends and online gaming communities. She is curious to explore the genre but finds the game mechanics and controls challenging to grasp.

Intermediate Player Persona:

  • Name: Mark

  • Age: 28

  • Background: Mark has played action RPGs before and is familiar with the Soulsborne series. He enjoys the challenge but sometimes struggles with mastering advanced combat techniques and navigating complex game systems in Elden Ring.

Experienced Player Persona:

  • Name: Alex

  • Age: 32

  • Background: Alex is a seasoned Soulsborne player with extensive experience in similar games. He is looking forward to exploring the unique aspects of Elden Ring but occasionally makes mistakes when encountering new mechanics, which can lead to frustration.

How Might We..?
  • HMW improve player's understanding of game mechanics and controls in Elden Ring?

Here are 3 "How might we" (HMW) questions tailored to user personas involved in improving the onboarding of Elden Ring

Research Insight: New players struggle to grasp game mechanics and controls, finding the learning curve steep.

Persona involved: Sarah (New Player)

Implement an interactive tutorial sequence that integrates basic and advanced mechanics gradually, using visual and auditory cues to reinforce learning.

  • HMW provide players with more structured guidance navigating Elden Ring's open-world design?

Persona involved: Mark (Intermediate Player)

Research Insight: Intermediate players often feel overwhelmed by the expansive open world and lack structured guidance.

Introduce a quest log with clear objectives and optional markers, alongside NPCs (Non-Player Characters) that offer contextual advice and directions to key locations.

  • HMW help players adapt to and master new game mechanics unique to Elden Ring?

Persona involved: Alex (Experienced Player)

Research Insight: Experienced players make mistakes when encountering new game mechanics unique to Elden Ring, leading to frustration.

Develop advanced training challenges accessible within the game, focusing on specific mechanics and offering rewards for mastery, along with in-depth tutorials that explain mechanics in detail.

Takeaways
  • Design Flexibility: Despite challenges, there's room to innovate in Elden Ring's onboarding design.

  • Workshop Impact: Effective design workshops are crucial for generating fresh ideas and fostering innovation.

  • Balanced Evaluation: It's important to evaluate ideas thoughtfully without prematurely limiting creative exploration.

  • Setting New Standards: By balancing creativity with practical considerations, you can help redefine onboarding experiences in the gaming industry.

The report was handed over to the ideation team to design the game onboarding

img source:google