Fifa 19 - Ultimate Team (2018)
UI Design / LiveOps art / PC/Console
EA Sports, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts (EA) Games, stands as a leading developer and publisher specializing in sports video games. Renowned for its FIFA series, EA Sports consistently delivers immersive and realistic gaming experiences. The FIFA games, in particular, have set the standard for virtual soccer simulations, capturing the essence of the sport with cutting-edge graphics, authentic gameplay, and extensive features. As a pivotal player in the sports gaming industry, EA Sports continues to innovate, bringing the excitement of various sports to gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
FIFA 19, building upon the success of its predecessor, introduced several significant improvements to the Ultimate Team mode, enhancing both gameplay and the overall user experience.
One notable enhancement was the introduction of the "Division Rivals" mode, offering a structured online competition system. This mode allowed players to compete against others of similar skill levels, earning rewards based on performance. It replaced the traditional online seasons format, providing a more competitive and engaging experience for players seeking balanced matchmaking.
In terms of user interface and visuals, FIFA 19 saw refinements aimed at improving usability and aesthetics. The UI underwent a makeover, with a cleaner and more intuitive design making navigation smoother within Ultimate Team. The card design for player items and other in-game elements received an upgrade, presenting a sleeker and more visually appealing interface compared to FIFA 18.
My role in EA Sports
As a UI Designer for FIFA 19 Ultimate Team, my focus was on refining and enhancing the user interface to elevate the player experience based on feedback and evolving trends. Building upon the foundation set in FIFA 18, our goal was to make significant improvements that enhanced usability, engagement, and visual appeal.
One key improvement was streamlining navigation within the Ultimate Team mode. We conducted extensive user testing and gathered player feedback to identify pain points and areas for enhancement. This led to a redesigned menu structure, making it more intuitive for players to access different features, manage their squads, and engage with various modes seamlessly.
Visually, we aimed for a more polished and cohesive design. We refined the visual language, optimizing iconography, typography, and color schemes for better readability and a cleaner overall look. This included revamping card designs for player items, event promotions, and pack openings, creating a more visually striking and consistent aesthetic.
Enhancing the LiveOps experience remained a priority. We implemented dynamic and responsive UI elements that effectively communicated ongoing events, challenges, and rewards. This involved creating more interactive and visually engaging event interfaces to captivate players and encourage participation.
Moreover, personalization became a focal point. We introduced customization options for certain UI elements, allowing players to tailor aspects of the interface to their preferences. This not only provided a sense of ownership but also improved usability by allowing players to organize information according to their preferences.
Throughout the design process, we remained attentive to player feedback and data analytics. Continuous iteration based on user input helped refine the UI, ensuring that FIFA 19 Ultimate Team offered an improved and more user-friendly experience compared to its predecessor. Our efforts aimed to make the interface more intuitive, visually appealing, and responsive to player needs, ultimately enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
