Fief Protocol

The Challenge

Recognising the growing popularity of blockchain technology and the potential for NFTs in the gaming industry, We set out to create a specialised NFT marketplace. The primary goal was to establish a platform that not only facilitated the trading of gaming assets but also fostered a community-driven ecosystem where gamers could compete, engage, and transact with each other.

Discover

To understand the needs and preferences of gamers in the context of NFTs and metaverse experiences, user research was conducted. In the crypto industry, my greatest obstacle was finding innovative ways to engage with users. I discovered that "Discord" is a widely used platform for building a devoted community, handling tasks such as addressing technical problems, answering frequently asked questions, and facilitating topic discussions.

I established a "UX feedback" Discord channel to gather feedback from surveys, and remote interviews, and held discussions with members of the gaming communities.

In order to gain a better understanding of the project, I conducted stakeholder interviews. The purpose of these interviews was to understand why we are building this NFT marketplace and what our main goals are.

The project focuses from a business perspective were:

• Design a smooth purchasing process for gamers, ensuring that they can effortlessly complete their purchases without any hindrance.

• Develop an NFT marketplace that is balanced and user-friendly for gamers to easily browse through and find content that meets their specific needs.

  
  

Define

I used the affinity mapping method to cluster the data and define key themes and insights and empathy mapping to create the visual representation of our primary Personas.

Key findings from the research phase included

• Gamers value unique and tradable in-game assets that enhance their gaming experience.

• There is a strong desire for competitive gameplay and social interaction within the gaming community.

• Crypto Gamers are seeking platforms like 'Play to Earn' that offer both utility and liquidity for their in-game assets and the ability to earn rewards.

• The key users discovered are hard core gamers who want to earn side money, crypto enthusiasts who are new to the industry and Investors who are driven by returned rewards.

Design

Methods like HMW statements were used to help ideate and develop key concepts.

The following design principles were established:

• Seamless Onboarding: Develop an intuitive and frictionless onboarding process, allowing users to easily connect their Ethereum wallets and access the marketplace.

• Engaging User Interface: Design an interface that reflects the gaming theme, incorporating vibrant visuals and interactive elements to enhance user engagement and create an immersive experience.

• Game Integration: Integrate Fief's own online games into the marketplace, offering gamers an opportunity to compete, earn rewards, and trade in-game assets directly within the platform.

• Easy Asset Management: Provide users with a comprehensive dashboard to manage their NFT assets, including staking, liquidity pool participation, and viewing ownership details.

• Community Features: Implement social features such as chat, forums, and leaderboards to foster a sense of community, encourage interaction among gamers, and promote healthy competition.

To test basic functions, I began with Lo-Fi wireframes. Then, Hi-Fi interactive prototypes were made to help visualise the user interactions and flows in the dapp.

Our focus was on the essential features such as wallet integration, asset browsing, trading, staking, and participation in liquidity pools. Iterative testing and feedback loops were conducted to gather user insights and improve the user experience, ensuring that the platform met the needs and expectations of gamers.

Deliver

I oversaw the handover of the design to the development team, ensuring that the concepts were effectively communicated. Together with the front-end developer and project manager, we worked closely to achieve our end goal.