Nadační fond proti korupci is a Czech nonprofit organization dedicated to combating corruption in Czechia. Among their various initiatives, they have developed a board game aimed at a young audience. Netvor was tasked with digitizing this board game to reach a broader audience and to introduce new game mechanics that are possible only in a digital environment.
We have been asked to develop a web-based version of the detective story board game and introduce new game mechanics that allow players to use existing online tools provided by government and nonprofit organizations, such as hlidacstatu.cz, the Cadastre of Real Estate, and many others. This revamp aims to provide a realistic experience with the toolset available to Czech citizens. The game needed to be interactive and engaging, as it was designed for a younger audience. In addition to the game itself, we created a landing page where potential players can find more information, and school teachers can generate access for their students. The website can be accessed here netektivka.cz.
We experimented with the Phaser 3 framework to build the entire game. Since it was our first time using this framework, we faced a learning curve.We dedicated a lot of time to perfecting the game design, and some board game elements had to be rethought for the digital platform.
Although we have experience designing for a younger audience, it is always a challenge to get it just right, as they are very particular about the visuals and overall feel. Delivering an appealing design was a key factor for success.
User experience in game development involves many levels, including sounds, extensive animations, focus, and transitions—all of which need to be carefully considered and well-designed.
One of the bigger challenges was device optimization. We aimed to support as many devices as possible. Additionally, a web-based game requires a different layout approach compared to standard websites and applications, so we had to give it special attention.
The process began in 2023 when we met with the client and went through the product discovery phase to define the project's scope. This phase involved a series of workshops where we discussed the product, the problem it solves, and the values it aims to deliver.
We also focused extensively on the game's unique distribution mechanism. The game is distributed through school teachers, who request access and then provide entry codes to their students. We spent considerable time analyzing the original board game and determining how to transition it into a digital framework.
In addition to cooperating on the initial game description, plot, and gameplay scheme, we produced development estimates to understand the project's scale.
Once the team was clear on the deliverables and the time investment, we started developing the first raw version, stripped of unnecessary elements, to align on the final scope and feel of the game.
From this point, we continuously developed and delivered parts of the game, regularly reviewing them with the NFPK team. During the development process, we made adjustments to the scope to make the game adequatly challenging and fun, addressing elements that didn't perform as well as expected from a game design perspective.
Before finalizing the game, we also prepared a landing page and beta-tested the game with a few selected classes of students to eliminatebugs and ensure the gameplay was engaging, understandable, and performant.
The game is available at netektivka.cz. While access is invite-only, you can explore all the information about the game on the website. Check it out to learn more about this exciting and educational experience!
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