Immersive player experience designed for fast-paced action
Tasks
Research and analysis
Workshops
UX design
Prototyping
Platforms
PC
Playstation
xBox
Outriders is a AAA co-op action role-playing third-person shooter developed by People Can Fly and published by Square Enix.
Launched in April 2021, it quickly became a hit with over 3.5 million unique players in its first month. Tasked with delivering an intuitive and seamless user experience for this high-octane game, we joined the project from its early stages to design and refine the UX across all game systems.
As a part of the UX team our role was instrumental in shaping the user experience for this ambitious project, ensuring that every aspect of the game—from the HUD to inventory management—enhanced immersion and supported gameplay mechanics.
Project scope
Our primary role was to design the game’s entire UX ecosystem, from initial concepts to final implementation. Working closely with the game design team, we created and tested ideas to validate gameplay mechanics. This included rapid prototyping and iterating on features like the skill tree, inventory, crafting, HUD, character progression, and more.
Our responsibility was to ensure that every screen and interaction felt intuitive and cohesive, all while collaborating with the renowned studio Fire Without Smoke, which handled the UI design.
The project presented several challenges:
• Fast-Paced Iteration: Game design ideas evolved rapidly, requiring quick adjustments to existing designs and prototypes.
• Complex Systems: Features like the skill tree and crafting mechanics demanded careful attention to usability and clarity.
• High-Intensity Gameplay: Designing a seamless HUD to display essential information during chaotic combat sequences was critical.
Challenges
Designing for Outriders came with its share of challenges. The game’s design evolved rapidly, with new ideas and mechanics frequently introduced by the development team. This required us to remain agile, adapting prototypes and wireframes quickly to align with these changes.
One of the most demanding aspects was designing the skill tree, a cornerstone of Outriders’ character development system. As the vision for progression shifted throughout development, we needed to iterate constantly, balancing complexity with clarity. In contrast, the inventory system was a more straightforward yet equally rewarding component, where our focus was on ensuring players could easily manage their gear without breaking the flow of the game.
The HUD posed another unique challenge, as it needed to convey critical information—skill cooldowns, weapon stats, objectives, and threats—at a glance, all while players were immersed in the chaos of battle. Striking the right balance between functionality and unobtrusiveness was key to its success.
Process
Our design process was iterative and user-centered. Prototyping played a critical role, allowing us to test and validate ideas quickly before committing to full implementation. With a dedicated team of testers providing feedback on new features and gameplay mechanics, we continuously refined our designs to address usability challenges.
External usability testing with players provided further insights, highlighting areas where navigation, clarity, or functionality could be improved. These sessions ensured that every element of the interface was intuitive and aligned with the needs of real players.
The game’s ambitious scale, which blends action and RPG elements, presented unique challenges for creating a user interface that was intuitive, responsive, and cohesive.
Outcome
The result of our work was a seamless and cohesive user experience that enhanced Outriders’ dynamic gameplay. Every interface element—from the skill tree to the HUD—was designed to complement the game’s fast-paced action while ensuring players could access information and features effortlessly.
The game’s launch was a major success, with Outriders attracting over 3.5 million players within its first month and earning a peak of 125,000 concurrent players on Steam. While the UI design was visually crafted by Fire Without Smoke, our UX foundation ensured that all systems worked together harmoniously to deliver an engaging and immersive experience.
Key takeaways
Working on Outriders was a lesson in adaptability, collaboration, and player-centric design. Prototyping proved invaluable in managing the rapid pace of development, while close collaboration with the game design team ensured alignment at every stage. Most importantly, feedback from testers and players allowed us to refine the experience, resulting in a product that resonated with its audience.
“Working with Wojciech was a true highlight - he combines sharp technical expertise with a natural gift for collaboration. His thoughtful approach and elegant solutions consistently elevated our projects. His genuine and approachable nature makes him an invaluable team member who builds strong, lasting professional relationships. Any team would be fortunate to have him.”
Krzysztof Dolaś
Global Technical Art Director | People Can Fly
