Real Impact on Player Experience
Our user journey mapping approach consistently delivers interfaces that players understand immediately and return to repeatedly.
Back to HomeThe Results Our Clients Experience
Our approach touches every aspect of the player experience, from first impression to lasting engagement.
Immediate Comprehension
Players understand core mechanics within the first 30 seconds of interaction. Navigation becomes intuitive, reducing confusion and frustration that drives players away.
Increased Player Retention
When interfaces feel natural, players stay longer and return more frequently. Our designs create positive associations that build loyalty to your arcade cabinets.
Revenue Growth
Better UX translates directly to more plays per session and higher coin-per-minute rates. Arcade operators see measurable returns on improved player experiences.
Broader Accessibility
Inclusive design opens your game to previously excluded player segments. Features like colorblind modes and control remapping expand your potential audience significantly.
Reduced Support Issues
Clear interfaces mean fewer operator interventions and technical support calls. Players solve minor issues independently, reducing maintenance overhead.
Enhanced Reputation
Games with exceptional UX build positive word-of-mouth. Players recommend your cabinets to friends, creating organic growth in your player base.
The Numbers Behind Our Work
What These Numbers Mean
These metrics represent real improvements across more than 40 arcade game implementations. Each project begins with baseline measurements of player behavior, allowing us to track concrete improvements in usability and engagement.
Individual results vary based on factors including game complexity, target audience, and implementation completeness. Our approach consistently delivers measurable improvements, though the magnitude depends on your specific starting point and goals.
We measure success through multiple lenses including time-to-first-play, error rates in navigation, session length, return player percentages, and operator feedback. This comprehensive view ensures improvements benefit both players and your business objectives.
How Our Methodology Works in Practice
These scenarios illustrate how we apply user journey mapping to solve common arcade UX challenges.
Fighting Game Menu Complexity
Challenge
Players spent over two minutes navigating character selection and game mode options. Many gave up before starting matches, frustrated by nested menus and unclear icons.
Solution Applied
We mapped the decision tree and flattened unnecessary layers. Visual hierarchy guided players through character selection with preview images and clear mode labels. Progressive disclosure revealed advanced options only when needed.
Results Achieved
Time-to-match dropped to 35 seconds. Player abandonment during setup decreased by 71%. Operator reported 45% increase in plays per day within three weeks of implementation.
Key Methodology Elements
- User journey mapping revealed four unnecessary decision points in the flow
- Testing with 20 diverse players validated new interface before implementation
- Visual design prioritized readability in typical arcade lighting conditions
Racing Game Control Confusion
Challenge
First-time players couldn't identify which pedal was brake versus accelerator. Onboarding tutorial took three minutes and players still made errors during initial races.
Solution Applied
We redesigned the tutorial using visual cues and audio feedback. Color-coded pedal indicators appeared on-screen during the first lap. Progressive hints introduced drifting and nitro boost only after basic controls were demonstrated.
Results Achieved
Tutorial completion time reduced to 45 seconds. Control errors in first race dropped by 89%. Players reached intermediate skill level 60% faster than with previous onboarding.
Key Methodology Elements
- Multi-sensory feedback (visual + audio + haptic) reinforced learning
- Observational testing revealed players looked at screen, not pedals during confusion
- Complexity introduced gradually prevented cognitive overload
Puzzle Game Accessibility Barriers
Challenge
Color-dependent puzzle mechanics excluded colorblind players. Small touch targets frustrated players with motor control differences. Operator received multiple complaints about accessibility.
Solution Applied
We implemented multiple colorblind modes with pattern overlays. Touch target sizes increased by 40% with improved spacing. Added alternative input methods and difficulty adjustments without compromising core gameplay.
Results Achieved
Player base expanded by 28% as previously excluded players discovered the game. Positive venue reviews increased. Game became recommended by accessibility advocacy groups in the arcade community.
Key Methodology Elements
- Testing included players with various accessibility needs from the beginning
- Accessibility features designed as core mechanics rather than afterthoughts
- Verification against WCAG guidelines ensured comprehensive accessibility
What to Expect Throughout Our Process
Results develop progressively as we refine your interface through our structured approach.
Weeks 1-2: Discovery & Analysis
We map your current player journey, identifying pain points and opportunities. You'll receive initial findings showing where players struggle and proposed improvements.
Expected: Clear understanding of current UX challenges with preliminary recommendations.
Weeks 3-5: Design & Testing
We create and iterate on new interface designs, testing with diverse player groups. You'll see prototypes evolve based on real user feedback, ensuring improvements before implementation.
Expected: Validated designs with measurable improvements in usability testing metrics.
Weeks 6-8: Implementation Support
We work alongside your development team to ensure designs translate correctly into the final product. Technical specifications and guidelines ensure consistency.
Expected: Smooth implementation with minimal technical challenges or design compromises.
Weeks 9-12: Launch & Refinement
Post-launch monitoring tracks real-world performance. We analyze player behavior data and make refinements based on actual usage patterns in arcade environments.
Expected: Measurable improvements in engagement metrics with continued optimization.
Important Note: Timelines vary based on project scope and complexity. Some improvements become evident during testing phases, while others emerge after implementation as real players interact with your arcade cabinets. Individual results depend on factors including your starting point, implementation quality, and market conditions.
Benefits That Last
Enduring Player Loyalty
Players who have positive first experiences develop lasting preferences for your cabinets. Good UX creates advocates who recommend your games to others, building organic growth over time.
Reduced Maintenance Burden
Clear interfaces require fewer operator interventions and support calls. Ongoing costs decrease as players solve issues independently, allowing operators to focus on other venue priorities.
Competitive Advantage
Superior UX differentiates your cabinets in crowded arcade venues. Players gravitate toward games that feel good to play, giving you an edge that persists across market changes.
Framework for Future Updates
Our design systems provide clear guidelines for adding features or content updates. Future enhancements maintain consistency, ensuring new additions feel as polished as the original interface.
Why These Improvements Endure
Our methodology creates lasting change because we address root causes rather than symptoms.
Grounded in Player Psychology
We design around fundamental principles of how people learn and process information. These patterns don't change with trends, ensuring your interface remains intuitive as new players discover your game over time.
Comprehensive Documentation
You receive detailed design systems and guidelines that your team can reference for future updates. This prevents degradation of UX quality as new features are added or content is expanded.
Validated Through Testing
Every design decision undergoes real player testing before implementation. This validation ensures improvements actually work in practice, not just in theory, creating reliable results that persist.
Built for Arcade Environments
Our designs account for the unique constraints of arcade settings including lighting, noise, and standing gameplay. Solutions that work in these challenging conditions remain effective under any circumstances.
Scalable Improvements
User journey mapping reveals systemic patterns, allowing fixes that improve multiple aspects of the experience simultaneously. Addressing core flow issues creates cascading benefits throughout the entire game.
Proven Arcade UX Design Results
Flow State brings specialized expertise in arcade game user experience design to every project. Our track record demonstrates consistent ability to transform confusing interfaces into intuitive experiences that players love. Through systematic application of user journey mapping principles, we've helped arcade game developers create interfaces that reduce player frustration while increasing engagement metrics across diverse game genres.
Our methodology combines rigorous player testing with deep understanding of arcade environment constraints. This dual focus ensures designs work not just in ideal conditions, but in the real-world settings where players actually encounter your games. We measure success through concrete metrics including reduced time-to-first-play, decreased error rates, extended session durations, and improved return player percentages.
What sets our results apart is the comprehensive nature of our approach. Rather than addressing surface-level interface problems, we map entire player journeys to identify systemic issues that affect multiple touchpoints. This creates improvements that compound over the lifetime of your arcade cabinet, delivering value that extends far beyond the initial implementation.
Whether you're launching a new arcade game or revitalizing an existing cabinet, our user experience design services provide the expertise needed to create interfaces that players intuitively understand and genuinely enjoy interacting with. The results speak for themselves through measurable improvements in player satisfaction, operator feedback, and revenue performance.
Ready to Improve Your Arcade Game's Player Experience?
Let's discuss how our user journey mapping approach can address your specific UX challenges and create measurable improvements in player engagement.
Start the Conversation