This project is made under PXL Lab. Click here to see the original post.

You can also find a publication related to the project here: iNNk: A Multi-Player Game to Deceive a Neural Network

About the Game

iNNk is a web-based multiplayer drawing game where people play together against a Neural Network. Players take the roles of sketcher or guesser.The goal is to draw the code word in such a way as the human Guesser may be able to accurately interpret the code word before the Neural Network.

My Role

I took the role of a UX researcher and UI designer for this project. I conducted usability testing and analyzed the pattern that informed the redesign decisions. Then, I created the designs for the UI, which I will show below.

UX Research

We found through the usability testing that there many points of where users have to repeatedly click buttons in order to continue the game. This lead to our redesigned user flow shown below.

Starting Process

The previous starting process required players to click through multiple screens before being able to start drawing. The new design streamlines the process, reducing the number of clicks required and ensuring that users know that they are waiting for the game to start. Additionally, back buttons have been added to allow users to recover from any errors they may make.

Game Loop

The main game loop has been redesigned to reduce the number of clicks required during the review portion. Previously, players had to click through three separate screens to review their drawing before moving on to the next challenge. In the new design, this has been reduced to a single click. Furthermore, it is now clear that there is an ink limit, preventing players from using too much ink during a drawing.

Ending

The final screen has been redesigned to show a reveal of the player’s past drawings. This helps to finish off the game with a strong sense of accomplishment for the player. The new design also provides buttons to restart the game, making it easy for players to jump right back in and play again.

Conclusion

Through the redesign of the UI and UX, “iNNk” has significantly improved the overall experience for its players. By streamlining the starting process, simplifying the game loop, and providing a satisfying ending, players are now able to enjoy the game without being frustrated by the UI or UX.