Defining the game and securing buy-in

The problem

PwC wanted a better way to validate employee training. They were already using a third-party escape room game, but needed a version they could customise and white-label for their clients.

The experience needed to:

• be multiplayer
• encourage collaboration rather than competition
• validate training rather than grade individual employees

My role

• Organised workshops with the client to define the game scope, mechanics and users
• Oversaw the work of another designer and an external illustrator
• Built a library of UI elements and illustrated environments
• Created a prototype and presented a full game walkthrough to PwC stakeholders

The prototype helped secure stakeholder buy-in and initial funding for the project.

Designing and delivering the MVP

Once the concept was approved, I remained the sole designer responsible for translating the idea into a functional product.

Design and product work

• Designed the interface panels that structured the room experience
• Defined gameplay interactions (action events, questionnaires and room asset placement)
• Designed all UI assets for the MVP, many in multiple states

Technical decisions

• Chose a 2D flat interface to avoid the technical constraints of building a 3D environment at this stage
• Designed and delivered the admin panels first, allowing development and testing to begin early
• Produced the visual assets afterwards in SVG format to ensure consistency and scalability

Outcome

• Delivered the MVP approximately six months after the initial kickoff
• The product was well received internally by PwC and transferred into their own environment
• Continued supporting deployment and early testing before PLAY later merged with hundo