How we have art directed and designed a mobile game for iPad in one week.
best-console-on-e3
Project deadline
4 weeks
Role
Art Direction/ User Experience/ User Interface
Tools
Paper, Pencil, Sketch, Trello
Computer game firms Microsoft and Sony went head-to-head with the launch of new devices aimed at sparking a next-generation “console war”. Users from all over the world were tuned into communication and news channels trying to get a glimpse of the best-kept secret consoles until their official launch at the E3 Conference in LA.
Challenge
Sky News delivered frequent updates through articles on its main website but needed a better way to engage users while promoting their new suite of companion apps on mobile and tablet.
As correspondent Greg Milam went into the field interviewing the new generation of gamers, we realised that many didn’t know about consoles that made history and still remain relevant players in today’s market.
Solution
In response to the brief, our team developed a real game for iPad where users would drive our journalist Greg Milam into discovering games and consoles through history. Upon arriving at a sports arena in Los Angeles, viewers were invited to discover quickly the two main players in the market and their promises for the years to come.
Storytelling Assets
As part of a creative campaign, our journalist Greg was transformed into a pixel art video game character. Visitors could log in via Twitter, choose their own pixel persona from a list of characters, and post live comments while they waited for the console’s big reveal — turning the anticipation into a playful, interactive experience.
Click in the image to zooom
Design & Development
To match the 8-bit game environment, a full set of console icons was designed using lightweight SVG and PNG formats. Every element was crafted to work seamlessly in a functional HTML/CSS3 project while keeping the overall file size minimal.
iPad Experience
The experience turned a simple news piece into an interactive journey. Using intuitive gestures on the iPad, visitors explored a gamified world, discovering consoles and unlocking content. By integrating the Hook Model and live Twitter interaction through the hashtag #consolewar, we transformed casual readers into active participants — driving engagement, repeat visits, and attracting even non-gamers with a playful, accessible format.
