Moto Gametime
The Moto Gametime project at Motorola focused on enhancing the mobile gaming experience over two years. I led the initiative to position games not only as entertainment tools for gamers but also as a strategic channel for driving revenue. The platform supported both immersive gameplay and quick-access casual games. This dual approach helped serve diverse user needs while aligning with business growth goals.
Start here.
The Moto Gametime project began as a small initiative to improve the gaming experience on Motorola devices. Over time, it grew into a powerful platform that not only supported gamers with helpful tools but also created new opportunities for user engagement and revenue. What started with simple features became a central hub for both casual and dedicated gamers.
User journey
As part of the Moto Gametime project, mapping the user journey was a key step in understanding how different types of gamers interacted with the platform. We identified key touchpoints—from game discovery and launch to in-game interactions and post-game feedback—to uncover pain points and opportunities for improvement.
This process helped us tailor features to specific user needs, whether for quick casual play or more immersive gaming sessions. By aligning the user journey with real behaviors and expectations, we were able to design a more intuitive and engaging experience.
Exploration and Analysis
With a well-defined problem, we moved into the exploration phase, which included benchmarking and competitor analysis.
This involved examining existing solutions within the market and analyzing direct and indirect competitors to gather insights.
We identified best practices, gaps in the market, and opportunities for differentiation. These insights helped set a strategic foundation and provided context for what users expect and where we could innovate.
Conceptualization and Ideation
Establishing a hub within the Moto structure gave us full ownership of the Gametime solution, enabling faster decision-making, consistent execution, and better alignment across teams. Following the Motorola Design System ensured visual and functional consistency across devices, reduced design-developer friction, and accelerated the build process. Combined with strategic partnerships with game providers and ad networks, we integrated monetized content directly into the platform, unlocking new revenue streams while maintaining a seamless, branded user experience.
Data-Driven Evaluation and Rethinking
Following implementation, we entered a data analysis phase to evaluate user interaction with the proposed solutions. Metrics revealed a noticeable drop in performance and engagement for one of the two directions.
This prompted a critical assessment and comparison of both approaches, leading to a thoughtful reconsideration of our initial assumptions. Rather than pushing forward with the underperforming option, we initiated a new research stage to understand the underlying issues more deeply. This step reinforced our commitment to evidence-based design and continuous improvement.
Version 2.0
The creation of the Gametime 2.0 version marked a major step forward, though it wasn’t without its challenges. While not a perfect release, its standout feature—a personalized initial interaction tied to the latest game—proved effective in driving early engagement and encouraging users to return to the hub. However, over time, data analysis revealed a gradual drop in usage, prompting deeper investigation. To understand the root causes, our research team conducted qualitative studies focused on navigation and user flow. These insights helped us uncover which aspects of the experience resonated most with users and where improvements were needed to strengthen long-term retention.
Monetization
As the project evolved, we took a broader approach by linking Gametime to a wider monetization ecosystem and cross-functional teams.
This shift allowed us to move beyond the hub itself and consider the full spectrum of user interactions with games throughout the device experience. By integrating insights from marketing, commerce, and platform teams, we identified new touchpoints across the user journey—such as game discovery, notifications, and idle moments—that could be optimized for engagement and revenue. This holistic perspective helped us better understand how users perceived gaming not just as a standalone feature, but as an integrated part of their daily device use.