Splinterlands Mobile App

Game Intro

Splinterlands is one of the first Web3 games to achieve the audience and monetization to become a bona fide hit among card battle games. Its card-battle gameplay, smart NFT integration and well-designed tokenomics made this game not only an early breakout, but one of the few titles to survive the crypto downturn.

Splinterlands was built to work on PC browsers. The Splinterlands team wanted to create a mobile version, designed from the ground up to allow users to play, do an NFT trade and have a full experience on mobile. They came to Double Coconut to help.

Gallery

Timing

6 months initial work - ongoing maintenance

Team composition

Project manager
UX Designer
Senior HTML5 Engineer
Senior Web Angular Engineer
DevOps specialist
2D Artists
QA

Our Contribution to This Game

The Problem

There were a few key challenges:

The existing user experience / UX was optimized for desktop, assuming tons of screen real estate
Crypto exchanging is not allowed in the app stores
Using mobile-only features such as push notifications and in-app-purchases to create additional engagement and revenue for Splinterlands.

Our Solution

The Splinterlands team gave us a lot of autonomy when it came to execution. Our team managed the full development process: concepts for the UI and UX, new interface art and animations, of course building a dynamic port of the full platform plus game.

The existing user experience / UX was optimized for desktop, assuming tons of screen real estate
Crypto exchanging is not allowed in the app stores
Using mobile-only features such as push notifications and in-app-purchases to create additional engagement and revenue for Splinterlands.

UI/UX Concepts: We drew on our years of mobile game development experience to take an existing full-screen web3 game and reduce it down for phones and tablets. While the gameplay and much of the art was the same, we needed to create a new interface for the user that would allow for gameplay and card management in a smaller space.

Blockchain Interface: We used complex techniques to connect to the user’s wallet and blockchain data without active crypto trade. Our product managers and top mobile game developers rose to the occasion and created a custom solution that allowed the player full access to their library and account, while being in compliance with platform rules.

Mobile Engine: Using a combination of HTML5 and Angular we were able to create a fast and dynamic interface that allowed for different screen resolutions and devices.

Development Challenges Faced

The transition from a desktop to a mobile platform presented several significant challenges for the Splinterlands team. The existing user experience was primarily designed for desktop users, which meant that the interface needed to be reimagined to fit smaller screens while maintaining usability and engagement.

Key issues included optimizing the layout for mobile devices, addressing the limitations imposed by app store policies on cryptocurrency transactions, and incorporating mobile-specific features such as push notifications and in-app purchases. Each of these challenges required innovative solutions to ensure a seamless user experience on mobile.

Technical Solutions Implemented

To overcome the challenges of adapting Splinterlands for mobile, Double Coconut implemented a series of technical solutions that enhanced the game's functionality and user engagement. This included redesigning the user interface to be intuitive and responsive, ensuring that players could easily navigate the game on their mobile devices.

Additionally, the development team integrated smart NFT functionalities that allowed for secure trading and ownership verification. The use of HTML5 and Angular technologies facilitated a smooth transition of the game mechanics, ensuring that the mobile version retained the same level of performance and interactivity as its desktop counterpart.

Team Composition and Roles

The successful development of the Splinterlands mobile app was a collaborative effort involving a diverse team of specialists. Each member brought unique skills to the project, ensuring that all aspects of the game’s development were covered effectively.

The team included a project manager to oversee timelines and deliverables, UX designers to create a user-friendly interface, and engineers skilled in HTML5 and Angular for robust development. Additionally, 2D artists contributed to the visual aesthetics, while a QA specialist ensured that the final product met high-quality standards before launch.

Impact on User Experience

The launch of the Splinterlands mobile app significantly enhanced the overall user experience, allowing players to engage with the game anytime and anywhere. By optimizing the gameplay for mobile, Double Coconut ensured that users could enjoy a full gaming experience without the limitations of desktop access.

This mobile adaptation not only improved accessibility but also increased user engagement through features like push notifications that keep players informed about game updates and events. The integration of in-app purchases further enhanced the gameplay experience, providing users with easy access to additional content and features.