Monetization-Driven UX Research for a PvP Card Battler
Data Duel is a high-fidelity mobile PvP card battler prototype designed to explore how UI/UX decisions can directly support sustainable monetization without undermining player trust. As the UI/UX Designer, my role focused on translating a complex, economy-driven game model into a clear, usable, and engaging Figma prototype, balancing player experience, visual identity, and long-term revenue goals through systems such as marketplaces, bundles, and events.
Hierarchy, Feedback, and Iteration Through Testing
To address this, I focused on strong visual hierarchy, clear states, and affordances that guide users through monetized flows naturally. This included differentiated button states, clearer bundle descriptions, improved reachability for mobile controls, and subtle motion feedback to reinforce key actions. Multiple rounds of usability testing informed iterative refinements, helping surface blind spots in clarity and flow while validating that players understood and trusted the systems being presented.
Designing Games Requires System-Level UX Thinking
This project reinforced that game UI/UX differs fundamentally from traditional app design—especially when monetization is embedded into core gameplay systems. I learned the importance of designing UX at a system level, where economy, progression, and interaction design are tightly interlinked. Most importantly, usability testing proved essential in challenging design bias and ensuring that monetization mechanisms felt transparent, fair, and player-centric rather than extractive.
