Spec Ops

Project Description

Working with our industry partner Activision, we first answered their question, How can the Call of Duty (CoD) companion app create social features to keep players engaged with the game and each other? After coming up with individual concepts, me and some other students took it bit further by asking, How might we give players a welcoming experience using the companion app and help introduce them to the many different aspects of the game, all while building a community around said experience?

Problem

Players, particularly new players, can have trouble navigating such a dynamic game like Call of Duty. This type of obstacle has shown to discourage players from continued gameplay and enjoyment.

Insights

All players we interviewed value social interactions while playing. Scheduling and communication are important but currently done in 3rd party apps. Also, Women are invisible until they are in supportive communities. Once in controlled environments, players enjoy themselves more and blossom.

Solutions

Spec Ops, or Special Operations, are missions, with a set of objectives, for players to complete within a week in order to get achievement badges, in- game rewards, or XP. Players can complete these by themselves, but this feature encourages them to play with others, whether to get an XP multiplier or cooperative-dependent badges.