Led the redesigned Rocket League’s Auto Tournaments for a streamlined, player-first experience.
2019
Lead UI/UX Designer
Rocket League
tournaments Redesign
OVERVIEW
The Auto Tournaments system was designed to improve Rocket League’s competitive tournament experience by automating creation, enhancing accessibility, and boosting engagement. The original system lacked key features, and while an expansion had been planned, it lacked clear goals and a cohesive UX strategy. When assigned to lead the effort, it became evident that the project needed a complete rethink.
Challenges
The Auto Tournaments system was designed to improve Rocket League’s competitive tournament experience by automating creation, enhancing accessibility, and boosting engagement. The original system lacked key features, and while an expansion had been planned, it lacked clear goals and a cohesive UX strategy. When assigned to lead the effort, it became evident that the project needed a complete rethink.
Approach
The project initially lacked a defined problem space, leading to an unfocused and cluttered design. The landing screen attempted to solve multiple issues at once rather than prioritizing the core need—playing tournaments. There was strong support for a dashboard-style landing screen, but it was overwhelming and not user-friendly. Additionally, there was pushback against moving away from this dashboard-heavy approach. However, the argument was simple: if players don’t enjoy their first tournament, they won’t stick around long-term. Approval was secured to reset the UX, leading to a clear definition of goals and prioritization of usability.
The OUtcome
The new Auto Tournaments system was a success, with players eagerly anticipating tournament start times. Engagement increased, and the streamlined UI was widely praised for its accessibility and ease of use. The redesign validated a user-first approach over feature-heavy complexity.
Lessons Learned
Clear UX goals prevent overcomplication and keep the focus on what truly matters. Effective communication is essential to gaining stakeholder buy-in and ensuring player needs take priority over internal preferences. Simplicity in design always wins, leading to a more intuitive and engaging user experience.
Final Thoughts
The Auto Tournaments redesign was a valuable lesson in aligning teams, focusing on user needs, and refining UX under constraints. This case study highlights the ability to lead UX transformations that enhance player experience and drive engagement.