The challenge was to create a match-3 game experience that felt as instantly familiar and addictive as Candy Crush while staying true to the Disney Princess brand’s storytelling magic. With eleven iconic princesses, each with distinct personalities, kingdoms, and villains, the game needed to balance casual approachability with strategic depth so players of all ages could enjoy it while feeling the growing challenge as levels progressed.
Through interviews with clients and stakeholders, we gathered valuable insights to better understand and empathize with the needs their target audience may have along with addressing any potential pain points they may experience. This allowed us to dive deeper into defining the project's challenges.
The Casual Gamer
Name: Jenna
Age: 27
A busy professional who plays games on her commute or during short breaks. Loves Disney but isn’t a hardcore gamer.
Goals:
Relax and unwind with a game that’s easy to pick up and play in short bursts.
Motivations:
Lighthearted fun, charming visuals, and satisfying rewards that make her feel she’s progressing even with limited time.
The Disney Superfan
Name: Liz
Age: 21
A lifelong Disney enthusiast who knows every princess story by heart. Active on Disney fan forums and collects memorabilia.
Goals:
Experience her favorite princess worlds in a new interactive way. Unlock everything and see every storyline unfold.
Motivations:
Nostalgia, emotional connection to characters, and a sense of completion and mastery.
The Strategic Player
Name: Olivia
Age: 34
A puzzle game veteran who loves Candy Crush, Bejeweled, and similar games. Enjoys optimizing moves and beating tough challenges.
Goals:
Overcome increasingly difficult levels and earn the highest scores possible.
Motivations:
Strategy, skill mastery, and the thrill of beating challenging puzzles using clever power-up combinations.
The Family Gamer
Name: Hannah
Age: 40
A parent who plays games with her kids. Looks for titles that are family-friendly, fun, and easy to share.
Goals:
Find games her children will love while offering enough complexity to keep her engaged too.
Motivations:
Quality bonding time, wholesome content, and games that spark conversations about Disney characters they love.
To help the team determine the priority of information, I designed the placement and layout of content in wireframe form which allowed for rapid iteration, feedback and discussions.
Once approved, I developed the wireframes into a working prototype to help simulate user interaction with the product and address any potential pain points discovered throughout the early stages.
The visual design combines the whimsy of Disney Princess worlds with the vibrancy of modern puzzle games. Each stage reflects its princess through distinct color palettes, themed backdrops, and power-ups tied to her traits, while villain-inspired obstacles add contrast with darker, moodier tones.
The game board remains clean and intuitive, with gems and power-ups featuring subtle animations for satisfying feedback. UI elements adopt a storybook elegance with modern clarity, ensuring the entire experience feels magical, cohesive, and accessible for players of all ages.
about (creativity). I'm excited to hear about any potential opportunities.
