The Problem
In the 2020 lockdown, it became clear to us at PokerStars that players were missing the social aspect of poker nights. Observing the growing trend of players using platforms like Zoom for social interaction while on our client highlighted a gap in our offering.
Team Effort
Working alongside a talented team of other UI and UX designers, as well as stakeholders, we identified a key area for improvement: the need for a web-based game to eliminate the necessity of downloading software, thus simplifying the user journey.
Recreating the Live Poker Experience
My role as a UI/UX designer was to integrate webcam and microphone features, simulating the environment of a real poker game. This phase involved extensive collaboration on wireframes and mockups, ensuring the interface was intuitive and user-friendly.
User Engagement and Validation: Streamer Testing
We reached out to streamers for initial testing. Their positive feedback, especially about the multi-player screen functionality, was crucial. It helped us refine the design to better suit our users' needs, a process enriched by the diverse perspectives within our design team.
Design that Brings Players Together
We built a clean, easy-to-use interface that makes setting up Cash Games or Tournaments simple. Club owners can also invite spectators, which really helps create a stronger sense of community. Streamers in particular found this useful, as it gave them a better way to engage with their audience.
