The SQUARE ENIX: Verse framework retains engagement in the post-game phase while nurturing the player’s connection to the characters and world they have come to love.
Are
Are
you
you
ready?
ready?
STAKEHOLDER
STAKEHOLDER
Square Enix Global
ROLE
Visual Strategist + UX Designer
Visual Strategist + UX Designer
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma + Adobe AE
Figma + Adobe AE
Figma + Adobe AE
SPAN
SPAN
± 4 Weeks
± 4 Weeks
± 4 Weeks
Inside SQUARE ENIX: Verse
Full Walkthrough of Square Enix: Verse
Full Walkthrough of Square Enix: Verse
Full Walkthrough of Square Enix: Verse
Square Enix and Its Narrative Legacy
Square Enix is renowned for its story-driven JRPGs, creating immersive worlds that players deeply connect with. However, their long development cycles leave gaps between major releases, providing an opportunity to explore how players engage post-game and what keeps them invested beyond gameplay.
UNPACKING PLAYER BEHAVIOR
Through secondary research and interviews with hardcore JRPG players, particularly those who completed NieR: Automata, we identified key trends:
Emotional Attachment – Players form strong bonds with characters, making it difficult to "let go" after finishing the game.
Post-Game Exploration – Instead of replaying, many seek behind-the-scenes content, lore deep dives, and character insights to extend their experience.
Memory & Sensory Triggers – Players often reminisce about pivotal in-game moments, using external content to relive those emotions.
"It’s never the same the second time you play it." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
Square Enix is renowned for its story-driven JRPGs, creating immersive worlds that players deeply connect with. However, their long development cycles leave gaps between major releases, providing an opportunity to explore how players engage post-game and what keeps them invested beyond gameplay.
UNPACKING PLAYER BEHAVIOR
Through secondary research and interviews with hardcore JRPG players, particularly those who completed NieR: Automata, we identified key trends:
Emotional Attachment – Players form strong bonds with characters, making it difficult to "let go" after finishing the game.
Post-Game Exploration – Instead of replaying, many seek behind-the-scenes content, lore deep dives, and character insights to extend their experience.
Memory & Sensory Triggers – Players often reminisce about pivotal in-game moments, using external content to relive those emotions.
"It’s never the same the second time you play it." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
Square Enix is renowned for its story-driven JRPGs, creating immersive worlds that players deeply connect with. However, their long development cycles leave gaps between major releases, providing an opportunity to explore how players engage post-game and what keeps them invested beyond gameplay.
UNPACKING PLAYER BEHAVIOR
Through secondary research and interviews with hardcore JRPG players, particularly those who completed NieR: Automata, we identified key trends:
Emotional Attachment – Players form strong bonds with characters, making it difficult to "let go" after finishing the game.
Post-Game Exploration – Instead of replaying, many seek behind-the-scenes content, lore deep dives, and character insights to extend their experience.
Memory & Sensory Triggers – Players often reminisce about pivotal in-game moments, using external content to relive those emotions.
"It’s never the same the second time you play it." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
Designing SQUARE ENIX: Verse
With these insights, we took a character-centric approach, reflecting Square Enix’s storytelling strengths to create a post-game engagement hub where players could continue their journey beyond gameplay.
Page Selection on Square Enix: Verse
UNVEILING THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Players expressed strong interest in character concept art—seeing how their favorite characters evolved from sketch to final render. We designed an interactive gallery featuring black-and-white sketches, preserving the raw artistic essence fans love.
"I eat that stuff up. That’s why I collect concept art books." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
DEEP DIVING INTO LORE
Hardcore players enjoy theory-crafting and uncovering hidden story elements, deepening their connection to the game’s narrative. To enhance this experience, we introduced an exploratory lore feature that allows players to engage with the story in a more immersive way. Hotspots reveal hidden details, offering new insights into the game world. Horizontal scrolling creates a fluid, atmospheric experience that mirrors the storytelling depth of NieR, while layered visual storytelling captures the game's unique aesthetic, making lore discovery both intuitive and engaging.
"I’m definitely a lore and theory person. I like drawing conclusions and reading between the lines." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
GIVING VOICE TO THE CREATORS
Many players seek developer insights to better understand character motives and narrative depth. To enhance this experience, we introduced narrated interviews with Game Directors and key creatives, providing firsthand perspectives on the storytelling process. Dynamic subtitles in Japanese and English ensure accessibility for a global audience, while synchronized visuals create an interactive behind-the-scenes experience that brings the creative journey to life.
"I really value behind-the-scenes content, especially hearing directly from the creators." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
SHOWCASING SQUARE ENIX'S VISUAL IDENTITY
A curated gallery highlights high-quality game visuals from the official creative team, allowing fans to appreciate the art direction without narrative context, reinforcing brand credibility.
With these insights, we took a character-centric approach, reflecting Square Enix’s storytelling strengths to create a post-game engagement hub where players could continue their journey beyond gameplay.
Page Selection on Square Enix: Verse
UNVEILING THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Players expressed strong interest in character concept art—seeing how their favorite characters evolved from sketch to final render. We designed an interactive gallery featuring black-and-white sketches, preserving the raw artistic essence fans love.
"I eat that stuff up. That’s why I collect concept art books." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
DEEP DIVING INTO LORE
Hardcore players enjoy theory-crafting and uncovering hidden story elements, deepening their connection to the game’s narrative. To enhance this experience, we introduced an exploratory lore feature that allows players to engage with the story in a more immersive way. Hotspots reveal hidden details, offering new insights into the game world. Horizontal scrolling creates a fluid, atmospheric experience that mirrors the storytelling depth of NieR, while layered visual storytelling captures the game's unique aesthetic, making lore discovery both intuitive and engaging.
"I’m definitely a lore and theory person. I like drawing conclusions and reading between the lines." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
GIVING VOICE TO THE CREATORS
Many players seek developer insights to better understand character motives and narrative depth. To enhance this experience, we introduced narrated interviews with Game Directors and key creatives, providing firsthand perspectives on the storytelling process. Dynamic subtitles in Japanese and English ensure accessibility for a global audience, while synchronized visuals create an interactive behind-the-scenes experience that brings the creative journey to life.
"I really value behind-the-scenes content, especially hearing directly from the creators." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
SHOWCASING SQUARE ENIX'S VISUAL IDENTITY
A curated gallery highlights high-quality game visuals from the official creative team, allowing fans to appreciate the art direction without narrative context, reinforcing brand credibility.
With these insights, we took a character-centric approach, reflecting Square Enix’s storytelling strengths to create a post-game engagement hub where players could continue their journey beyond gameplay.
Page Selection on Square Enix: Verse
UNVEILING THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Players expressed strong interest in character concept art—seeing how their favorite characters evolved from sketch to final render. We designed an interactive gallery featuring black-and-white sketches, preserving the raw artistic essence fans love.
"I eat that stuff up. That’s why I collect concept art books." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
DEEP DIVING INTO LORE
Hardcore players enjoy theory-crafting and uncovering hidden story elements, deepening their connection to the game’s narrative. To enhance this experience, we introduced an exploratory lore feature that allows players to engage with the story in a more immersive way. Hotspots reveal hidden details, offering new insights into the game world. Horizontal scrolling creates a fluid, atmospheric experience that mirrors the storytelling depth of NieR, while layered visual storytelling captures the game's unique aesthetic, making lore discovery both intuitive and engaging.
"I’m definitely a lore and theory person. I like drawing conclusions and reading between the lines." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
GIVING VOICE TO THE CREATORS
Many players seek developer insights to better understand character motives and narrative depth. To enhance this experience, we introduced narrated interviews with Game Directors and key creatives, providing firsthand perspectives on the storytelling process. Dynamic subtitles in Japanese and English ensure accessibility for a global audience, while synchronized visuals create an interactive behind-the-scenes experience that brings the creative journey to life.
"I really value behind-the-scenes content, especially hearing directly from the creators." – Interview Participant, NieR: Automata Player
SHOWCASING SQUARE ENIX'S VISUAL IDENTITY
A curated gallery highlights high-quality game visuals from the official creative team, allowing fans to appreciate the art direction without narrative context, reinforcing brand credibility.
Delivering Long-Term Value
Beyond engaging players, SQUARE ENIX: Verse strengthens fan loyalty by offering exclusive content and deeper immersion. It also creates additional business touchpoints by linking to official Lore & Theory books and merchandise channels, providing monetization opportunities. Additionally, it encourages long-term engagement, keeping players connected between game releases and fostering a lasting relationship with the Square Enix universe.
Beyond engaging players, SQUARE ENIX: Verse strengthens fan loyalty by offering exclusive content and deeper immersion. It also creates additional business touchpoints by linking to official Lore & Theory books and merchandise channels, providing monetization opportunities. Additionally, it encourages long-term engagement, keeping players connected between game releases and fostering a lasting relationship with the Square Enix universe.
Beyond engaging players, SQUARE ENIX: Verse strengthens fan loyalty by offering exclusive content and deeper immersion. It also creates additional business touchpoints by linking to official Lore & Theory books and merchandise channels, providing monetization opportunities. Additionally, it encourages long-term engagement, keeping players connected between game releases and fostering a lasting relationship with the Square Enix universe.
Takeaways
A successful project goes beyond immediate needs—it creates sustained value for both the client and its audience. SQUARE ENIX: Verse not only enhances post-game engagement but also aligns with business goals, reinforcing the long-term relationship between players and the Square Enix universe.
A successful project goes beyond immediate needs—it creates sustained value for both the client and its audience. SQUARE ENIX: Verse not only enhances post-game engagement but also aligns with business goals, reinforcing the long-term relationship between players and the Square Enix universe.
A successful project goes beyond immediate needs—it creates sustained value for both the client and its audience. SQUARE ENIX: Verse not only enhances post-game engagement but also aligns with business goals, reinforcing the long-term relationship between players and the Square Enix universe.
Smooth Scroll
This will hide itself!
This will hide itself!
Smooth Scroll
This will hide itself!
This will hide itself!
Smooth Scroll
This will hide itself!
This will hide itself!