Tavern Meetup
A native mobile app for finding tabletop roleplaying groups
Project Overview
Objective
To design the iOS and Android versions of a mobile app that solves a specific user problem not addressed by current apps on the market.
Concept
What if finding a D&D group were as easy as Tinder? Playing off the trope that most games start with the players meeting in a tavern, Tavern Meetup is a matching app that allows game masters to find players for their tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). Newly created games are matched with player profiles that fit the type of story the game master is looking to tell, with considerations such as location, availability, game system, and storytelling elements. The game master is then able to browse the matches and invite players to join their game. A built-in messaging system allows groups to communicate about their games and the reminder system helps to ensure that everyone shows up to the table when it’s time to play.
Accessibility
To ensure the app is functionally accessible, I used the plugin Stark to check that all color contrast ratings are a minimum of AA and designed touchpoints on mobile screens to be a minimum of 40px by 40px. Safety tools such as content warning tags are built into the player and game profiles to ensure that players are matched only with games that have content they’re comfortable exploring. Users are able to keep their identities entirely private if they choose, with options to sign up only without using their real name, use an illustrated profile photo, and play in voice-only games.
Role
UI Designer
Tools
Adobe XD, Adobe Illustrator
Team
Self-directed, with feedback from mentor and peers
Interactive Prototypes
iOS Prototype
Android Prototype
User Flow
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Challenges & Solutions
The Challenge: Many TTRPG players prefer to remain anonymous when they are playing games online.
The Solution: Users can create their public profile with a username and illustrated profile image. A privacy message reassures potential users that identifying information such as real names, gender, age, or address will never be collected. For online games, players can select voice-only if they prefer not to share their identity or are more comfortable off camera.
The Challenge: Interest in TTRPGs is growing rapidly right now, but many people have never had the opportunity to play.
The Solution: An onboarding process guides users through the two most important features—setting up a player profile and creating a new game, as well as providing easy access to a TTRPG quick-start guide. Game profiles have a “new players welcome” option to ensure that new players will be matched with game masters who are willing to accommodate and teach players with little or no experience.
If users choose to skip the onboarding process, the empty state screens have themed messages and CTAs that encourage the user to interact with the app in the desired ways.
The Challenge: There are many game systems and infinite ways to tell stories within them. Finding a group whose schedules line up regularly is difficult, but finding a group that wants to tell the same types of stories can be nearly impossible.
The Solution: In addition to basic details such as game system, timing, and location, users are also asked to provide details about the theme of their game, the elements they want to focus on in gameplay, and warnings for content that might not be comfortable for all players to explore. These details are then matched to the same details in player profiles to ensure that the app is suggesting players who are a good fit for the story the game master wants to tell.
The Challenge: Due to scheduling conflicts, some groups play as infrequently as once a month and it’s easy for a player to forget about the next game. Depending on the number of players and the story being told, one player missing a game can mean that no one gets to play.
The Solution: The home screen prominently displays upcoming games to keep them top of mind. The game detail screen emphasizes the date and time of the next game and allows the group to set reminders for the next game and message the group with game or scheduling related details.
The Challenge: Users can experience delays while waiting for responses from other users or errors if their game profile doesn’t closely match any user profiles.
The Solution: Themed confirmation or error messages provide the user with updates and prompt them to take additional actions.
Retrospective
What went well?
The look and feel of the final UI design conveys the anticipation of embarking on an adventure while also maintaining ease of use and a focus on bringing the right players to the right tables. The profile matching element is unique to my app for this market and adds an element of familiarity to the UI for users who have used dating or meetup apps. The inclusion of storytelling elements in the player and game profiles helps both players and GMs feel confident that they are all showing up to tell the same type of story and that investing their time in the group will ultimately lead to building strong friendships and long-term games.
What didn’t go well?
Creating the iOS screens was a challenge for me, since I don’t have the same familiarity with iOS mobile phones that I do with Android. I would have liked to have the time and resources to do a deeper dive on how the native iOS design elements accommodate accessibility best practices, since the inactive states don’t always showcase that well.
What could be better?
In an ideal world, I would have been able to conduct multiple rounds of usability testing for the game and player profiles. They are the key feature of the app and also the biggest potential roadblock in the user flow, since they contain so many input fields. Ensuring the forms are intuitive, accessible, and effective is what would allow the app to succeed with users.