Work/Rise to War
The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War
Deep strategy on a phone screen, held to the standards of one of the most protected IPs in fiction.
- Role
- UX/UI Designer
- Studio
- NetEase Games · Warner Bros.
- Platform
- iOS, Android
- Year
- 2021
Overview
Rise to War is a mobile strategy game by NetEase Games, made in partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
The challenge
Fit territory strategy, armies and alliances onto a phone screen, with every screen approved by the owners of one of fiction's most protected worlds.
My role
UX/UI designer, drafting UX with game designers and directing interface details and overpaints with UI artists.
What I did
- Drafted UX with game designers, then refined interface and overpaints with UI artists through many rounds of IP review.
- Used the first film trilogy as the reference for visuals and lore, which made review conversations faster.
- Prototyped features that feel native to Middle-earth, such as summoning through the Flame of Anor and a skill tree inspired by the Doors of Durin and Bilbo's handwriting.
- Borrowed from city builders for territory management, with a camera that makes the world feel larger as players expand.
- Designed map navigation around touch gestures, pinching from the whole region down to a single city.
Outcome
Launched worldwide on iOS and Android in 2021.
What I learned
With a protected IP, references are your strongest argument in review.
Gallery
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Whether you need fresh eyes on your onboarding, a partner through your next milestone or someone to lead UX and creative direction, I'd love to hear about your game.