Low Fidelity prototype

This page describes the process of creating the first low fidelity prototype representing the main idea of how the wild boar management symulation module should be working.

Problem

How can I present to the client the way the wild boar management module should be working in our opinion at a high level, so we have a clear idea as a team if our development plan is in sync with the ideas of the stakeholders?

Answer: By creating a simple prototype, which represents the basic flow of the future module.

Solution and Methodology

#1 Research (Field ~ Document analysis; Library ~ Available product analysis)

#1.1 Play the previous versions of Ecosim && read its manual

Chosen management module - Wolf in the Netherlands

I searched for some manual on the official Ecosim website and translated it. Manual here.

#1.2 Analyzed videos of Ecosim products and make conclusions

The watched videos:

• Ecosim Introduction

• Ecosim how it works

Based on the findings there was defined a way in which most modules worked, so we could create a core loop: (the core loop was created by a teammate, but the research helped in defining the core mechanics)

Loop of core mechanics

#2 Brainstorming (Workshop ~ Brainstorm)

After finding what the core loop would be me and a teammate brainstormed on a possible scenario in a shared whiteboard

Points the prototype should cover

The first layout of the game prototype was made on the whiteboard, based on the layout of the previous modules.

First idea of the layout for the prototype

#3 Making a simple prototype (Workshop ~ Prototyping)

The Scenario of the prototype

The scenario was created to showcase the core loop. Overall the idea of the prototype was to show the flow with no need for relevant data. (ex: the price of the actions, speed of boar movement etc)

Prototype scenario

AdobeXD workflow

Having previous experience with AdobeXD I knew the prototype would be fast to make. The prototype itself is having all steps as different boards, which are connected via Board press logic (no matter where the user clicks the next window will load following the Prototype scenario)

This connection makes the prototype low fidelity with the purpose of displaying how the game would work.

Prtotype Screens with the connections

Result

Prototype explanation

Prototype link

Quality of the result

The result was shown to the stakeholders in a meeting. (Showroom ~ Pitch) It succeeded in explaining to the clients the main idea of how the module would be working. As feedback the prototype "Impressive at that stage of the project". However, the data is irrelevant, so that was mentioned by the clients.

Next steps

As next steps, there would be more research to make the data about the boar movement as well as the prices of different actions more accurate.

First playable ate Unity would be started to be developed, following this prototype flow.