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eFootball: Tactics v1
eFootball: Tactics v1
Moving beyond "Auto-Sub" to provide professional-grade managerial agency.
Team
Boluwatife Olasupo, UX Designer
Role
Feature Design
Problem
Problem
In the current eFootball META, the "Auto sub" logic often prioritizes OVR (Overall Rating) or generic positioning over tactical fit or user preference. For a competitive user, having the AI sub in a player whose profile they simply dislike for that match or a Creative Playmaker when they need a Goal Poacher, results in immediate "Player Rage" and a sense of losing control.
In the current eFootball META, the "Auto sub" logic often prioritizes OVR (Overall Rating) or generic positioning over tactical fit or user preference. For a competitive user, having the AI sub in a player whose profile they simply dislike for that match or a Creative Playmaker when they need a Goal Poacher, results in immediate "Player Rage" and a sense of losing control.
"See ehn, every time they auto sub on Vinicius, I dey wan throw my phone out the window." - Ledea, a Nigerian eFootball gamer.
"See ehn, every time they auto sub on Vinicius, I dey wan throw my phone out the window." - Ledea, a Nigerian eFootball gamer.
This insight indicates a total breakdown in the "Managerial Fantasy."
This insight indicates a total breakdown in the "Managerial Fantasy."
Research & Pain points
Research & Pain points
The "Dead Bench" Syndrome: Users often keep top-tier players on the bench who are tactically incompatible with their main formation.
Decision Paralysis: In the heat of a 90-minute match, gamers can be lazy to manually make subs, and sometimes they might not know when to make these subs, hence turning on the auto-sub feature.
Tactical Misalignment: The AI doesn't understand "Sub-Sequencing" (e.g., “If my CF is tired, only sub in Player B if available, otherwise sub in Player C.”)
The "Dead Bench" Syndrome: Users often keep top-tier players on the bench who are tactically incompatible with their main formation.
Decision Paralysis: In the heat of a 90-minute match, gamers can be lazy to manually make subs, and sometimes they might not know when to make these subs, hence turning on the auto-sub feature.
Tactical Misalignment: The AI doesn't understand "Sub-Sequencing" (e.g., “If my CF is tired, only sub in Player B if available, otherwise sub in Player C.”)
Solution
Solution
Instead of a flat bench, I designed a Positional Queue. This allows users to pre-determine a "Line of Succession" for any position in their tactical setup.
Instead of a flat bench, I designed a Positional Queue. This allows users to pre-determine a "Line of Succession" for any position in their tactical setup.
Game plan Screen with Position Hierarchy BUtton
Game plan Screen with Position Hierarchy BUtton
Position Hierarchy Turned On
Position Hierarchy Turned On
Position Hierarchy with option to order players
Position Hierarchy with option to order players
Design Strategy
Design Strategy
To ensure this feels like a native eFootball update, the UI follows the "Card-First" philosophy:
To ensure this feels like a native eFootball update, the UI follows the "Card-First" philosophy:
Feature
Feature
Feature
UX Goal
UX Goal
UX Goal
Business Impact
Business Impact
Business Impact
Visual Hierarchy
Visual Hierarchy
Visual Hierarchy
Use a move icon to show the order of players, also making it easier for users reorder players.
Use a move icon to show the order of players, also making it easier for users reorder players.
Use a move icon to show the order of players, also making it easier for users reorder players.
Lower Cognitive Load
Lower Cognitive Load
Lower Cognitive Load
Smart Defaults
Smart Defaults
Smart Defaults
AI suggests hierarchy based on "OVR" compatibility. User can add other players.
AI suggests hierarchy based on "OVR" compatibility. User can add other players.
AI suggests hierarchy based on "OVR" compatibility. User can add other players.
Onboarding for Casuals
Onboarding for Casuals
Onboarding for Casuals
Interaction flow
Interaction flow
Conclusion: Why This Matters for Konami
Conclusion: Why This Matters for Konami
Mobile gaming is about meaningful micro-interactions. By allowing users to "set and forget" their tactical succession, we:
Reduce User Frustration: No more "accidental" subs if the user prefers a particular player.
Deepen the Meta: Encourages users to collect more players to fill specific hierarchy roles, potentially driving engagement with Player Packs.
Competitive Integrity: Professional E-sports players gain more granular control over their late-game strategy. More so, the proposed master league format would be better engaging when players have managerial control.
Mobile gaming is about meaningful micro-interactions. By allowing users to "set and forget" their tactical succession, we:
Reduce User Frustration: No more "accidental" subs if the user prefers a particular player.
Deepen the Meta: Encourages users to collect more players to fill specific hierarchy roles, potentially driving engagement with Player Packs.
Competitive Integrity: Professional E-sports players gain more granular control over their late-game strategy. More so, the proposed master league format would be better engaging when players have managerial control.