McAfee Gamer Security
McAfee Gamer Security
User experience designer @ McAfee
User experience designer @ McAfee
Dec 2019
Dec 2019
Our mission was to build a Gamer security PC app. We aimed to create a product that enables gamers to enjoy a faster and uninterrupted gaming experience without compromising their security.
As the User Experience Designer, I was responsible for leading the design process, creating wireframes, building prototypes, visuals, and documenting user interface flows.
Our mission was to build a Gamer security PC app. We aimed to create a product that enables gamers to enjoy a faster and uninterrupted gaming experience without compromising their security.
As the User Experience Designer, I was responsible for leading the design process, creating wireframes, building prototypes, visuals, and documenting user interface flows.
THE OPPORTUNITY
THE OPPORTUNITY
Research at the time had shown that there were approximately 1 Billion PC Gamers worldwide, about 20 million gaming PCs, and 64% of households with a gaming device. The market research also showed that 83% of the users had an AV solution for their PC that didn't include windows defender.
In 2018 we explored creating a security product catered towards gamers ground up. It was an attempt to test a revolutionary idea in the market as early as possible and learn from it.
Research at the time had shown that there were approximately 1 Billion PC Gamers worldwide, about 20 million gaming PCs, and 64% of households with a gaming device. The market research also showed that 83% of the users had an AV solution for their PC that didn't include windows defender.
In 2018 we explored creating a security product catered towards gamers ground up. It was an attempt to test a revolutionary idea in the market as early as possible and learn from it.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
BACKGROUND RESEARCH
The first step of the journey was to understand what our users' needs were. I worked with our researcher in conducting various surveys, in-person interviews, and home visits with families around the local area. Below are a few examples of the questions we uncovered from the gamers:
When it comes to gaming computers, what are the most critical factors for you? Why?
What is an ideal/excellent PC gaming experience?
Is PC security important to you? Why?
Do you have an antivirus solution on your gaming computer (excluding Windows defender)?
What security precautions do you take to protect your information while gaming on your PC?
What do you think about the standard AV solution for your gaming PC?
What concerns you the most in terms of your security while gaming on your PC?
The first step of the journey was to understand what our users' needs were. I worked with our researcher in conducting various surveys, in-person interviews, and home visits with families around the local area. Below are a few examples of the questions we uncovered from the gamers:
When it comes to gaming computers, what are the most critical factors for you? Why?
What is an ideal/excellent PC gaming experience?
Is PC security important to you? Why?
Do you have an antivirus solution on your gaming computer (excluding Windows defender)?
What security precautions do you take to protect your information while gaming on your PC?
What do you think about the standard AV solution for your gaming PC?
What concerns you the most in terms of your security while gaming on your PC?
We processed all the research findings and derived insights using an affinity map and an empathy map. It was the most synergetic design activity I led with cross-functional stakeholders and executives. Guided by insights others can't copy, we mapped out core gamer needs.
We processed all the research findings and derived insights using an affinity map and an empathy map. It was the most synergetic design activity I led with cross-functional stakeholders and executives. Guided by insights others can't copy, we mapped out core gamer needs.
Key findings
Key findings
Immersive gaming experience = Faster performance & no interruption
Gamer security = Protection that doesn't come in the way and customizable
Major delighter = Actually help gamers monitor, identify and fix their performance issue.
Immersive gaming experience = Faster performance & no interruption
Gamer security = Protection that doesn't come in the way and customizable
Major delighter = Actually help gamers monitor, identify and fix their performance issue.
Besides home visits, interviews, and surveys, we also conducted a competitive analysis of our top competitors (Bitdefender, Avira, Bullguard, Webroot, and Razor). We wanted to understand what kind of problems they aimed to solve and how they solved them.
Besides home visits, interviews, and surveys, we also conducted a competitive analysis of our top competitors (Bitdefender, Avira, Bullguard, Webroot, and Razor). We wanted to understand what kind of problems they aimed to solve and how they solved them.
THE VISION
THE VISION
Our vision was to create a minimal viable product for rapid testing to learn more about the growing gaming market's needs. Then iterate and apply those learnings to other core products.
Our vision was to create a minimal viable product for rapid testing to learn more about the growing gaming market's needs. Then iterate and apply those learnings to other core products.
THE IDEATION
THE IDEATION
We had many constraints and challenges for this project, so we had to find a much more collaborative way to work efficiently and effectively. I hosted a 3-day workshop with key stakeholders, including the executive team, to discuss requirements, gamer needs, feasibility, and overall scope. This workshop was essential to align everyone involved and set up clear expectations.
Finally, we aligned to create a beta product that primarily focused on monitoring, auto-boosting capabilities, and creating a security solution that was light-weight and easy to use. We then began conceptualizing some ideas...
We had many constraints and challenges for this project, so we had to find a much more collaborative way to work efficiently and effectively. I hosted a 3-day workshop with key stakeholders, including the executive team, to discuss requirements, gamer needs, feasibility, and overall scope. This workshop was essential to align everyone involved and set up clear expectations.
Finally, we aligned to create a beta product that primarily focused on monitoring, auto-boosting capabilities, and creating a security solution that was light-weight and easy to use. We then began conceptualizing some ideas...
THE SOLUTION
THE SOLUTION
Armed with a basic understanding of gamers and the competitive landscape, we moved fast in our ideation phase to design this solution end-to-end. I was lucky to have a dedicated researcher and another design resource who helped us move much faster.
Armed with a basic understanding of gamers and the competitive landscape, we moved fast in our ideation phase to design this solution end-to-end. I was lucky to have a dedicated researcher and another design resource who helped us move much faster.
Metrics that matters
Metrics that matters
Access the performance of the PC at a glance, right from the home screen.
Access the performance of the PC at a glance, right from the home screen.
All about the speed
All about the speed
Experience faster and immersive gameplay that automatically detects and boosts the gaming session.
Experience faster and immersive gameplay that automatically detects and boosts the gaming session.
Light-Weight Antivirus
Light-Weight Antivirus
A light-weight antivirus solution that never gets in their way and customizable for gamers.
A light-weight antivirus solution that never gets in their way and customizable for gamers.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
I led the creative process by involving stakeholders from the very beginning. I followed the standard User-Centered Process: Sketch, Wireframe, Prototype, and Validate.
I sketched up ideas on paper and the whiteboard. We reviewed and revised them to narrow down to the solution. I extensively used research to back our design decisions and advocated for the users throughout the process by putting their needs at the core to create a meaningful experience.
I led the creative process by involving stakeholders from the very beginning. I followed the standard User-Centered Process: Sketch, Wireframe, Prototype, and Validate.
I sketched up ideas on paper and the whiteboard. We reviewed and revised them to narrow down to the solution. I extensively used research to back our design decisions and advocated for the users throughout the process by putting their needs at the core to create a meaningful experience.
We used prototypes to review designs, share interactions and UI flows, and test with our end-users. Furthermore, we packaged it together with detailed IX notes in our deliverables.
We used prototypes to review designs, share interactions and UI flows, and test with our end-users. Furthermore, we packaged it together with detailed IX notes in our deliverables.
The validation phase is about putting our designs in front of users. Unfortunately, given the context, timeline, and scope of the project, we could only do a quick validately study to evaluate our solution. Once again, this study identified several gaps in the user needs that we couldn't scope for this release. We shared those gaps with stakeholders and added them to our backlog for phase 2.
The validation phase is about putting our designs in front of users. Unfortunately, given the context, timeline, and scope of the project, we could only do a quick validately study to evaluate our solution. Once again, this study identified several gaps in the user needs that we couldn't scope for this release. We shared those gaps with stakeholders and added them to our backlog for phase 2.
THE RETROSPECTIVE
THE RETROSPECTIVE
McAfee Gamer Security was the very first product catered towards a unique user base. I learned a lot about gamers and their needs. As a result, I can now empathize with them even more.
Although we were very limited in our first version, we could still ship a solution that we can now test, gather more insights, and improve upon based on learnings. Furthermore, this project exposed us to the opportunities we have to impact the growing gaming industry significantly. The work had just begun...
Most importantly, poor performance has historically been one of the most significant pain points for our customers. As part of this project, we explored the light-weight antivirus solution in-depth with a population particularly sensitive to performance and successfully built a security solution that directly solved that problem. We can now integrate this with other core products to enhance the experience of over 80 million customers.
Lastly, I had a fantastic opportunity to work with some very talented individuals worldwide, which in itself is a great learning and rewarding experience. I hope we continue to experiment with wild ideas, learn, and create solutions that delight our users.
Currently, McAfee Gamer Security is live on the McAfee consumer website.
McAfee Gamer Security was the very first product catered towards a unique user base. I learned a lot about gamers and their needs. As a result, I can now empathize with them even more.
Although we were very limited in our first version, we could still ship a solution that we can now test, gather more insights, and improve upon based on learnings. Furthermore, this project exposed us to the opportunities we have to impact the growing gaming industry significantly. The work had just begun...
Most importantly, poor performance has historically been one of the most significant pain points for our customers. As part of this project, we explored the light-weight antivirus solution in-depth with a population particularly sensitive to performance and successfully built a security solution that directly solved that problem. We can now integrate this with other core products to enhance the experience of over 80 million customers.
Lastly, I had a fantastic opportunity to work with some very talented individuals worldwide, which in itself is a great learning and rewarding experience. I hope we continue to experiment with wild ideas, learn, and create solutions that delight our users.
Currently, McAfee Gamer Security is live on the McAfee consumer website.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!