Client
Bazooka Tango
Services
UX, UI & Implementation
PC
Platforms
Defining the Vision
Shardbound is a re-release of a tactical strategy card game. Bazooka Tango approached UXiF with the task of re-imaging the entire UI design, the playing card design taking first priority.
We took cues from pre-existing website and marketing art-direction and began collecting reference that would blend art-deco, geometric-shard and 2d illustration themes.
Deliverables
Visual Exploration
User Experience
Brand Identity
Iconography
Asset Kit
Card Design
Redesigning the card was the first priority. The style needed to shift toward tech-deco, drop heavy framing elements and work with 2d illustrations rather than 3d models. The card needed to be designed well enough to carry the overall UI, even using old card-art.
The critical information had to remain readable even if the cards were tightly overlapped or only half visible “beneath the fold” at the bottom of the screen. The following categories of information were required on every card: type, cost, stats, level, rarity, deck, faction, card material and written description.
Card Evolution in Early Sketch Stages
The designs first explored Art Deco motifs and angular interlocking designs before moving on to a rendered pass. The color/material pass involves finding the right balance of metallic luster and matte materials, emphasizing certain areas of interest.
HUD
Main HUD design
Variation: Your Turn
Variation: Keep or Replace Cards
Menus
Main Menu
Profile
Treasury
Deck Builder
The non-gameplay menus were designed using a patterned box as the primary building block. The goal for these screens is to be as clean as possible and let cards, badges and rewards stand forward. The main features are a deco inlay with subtle tech ornaments.
The Call to Action active-button style is where the shard motif is allowed to stand forward. It connects the theme of the game with the most primary actions while serving as a complex visual anchor for an otherwise ultra-clean layout.
Iconography & Kit
Custom iconography was created to complement the HUD and card frames in high-visibility areas (such as stats and special actions). A complete asset kit was produced from the various mock-ups. The assets were exported pixel-perfect in a hierarchy of resolutions (8k, 4k, HD, 720p) so that any implementation plan could be carried out smoothly.
Asset Kit
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