Case Study: Designing Growth for Playside – A Web3 Game by The Littles NFT

Background

As a Product Designer, I led game UX, audio design, and campaign illustration for Playside, an on-chain browser game developed for The Littles NFT, a Web3 project by WAGMI Studios. This Ethereum-based initiative aimed to merge digital collectibles with an engaging gaming experience, leveraging partnerships with TIME Studios, American Eagle Outfitters, CASETiFY, and top-tier NFT collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club, Cool Cats, KaijuKingz, and CyberKongz.

Beyond traditional product design, I played a key role in shaping Playside’s user experience, economic systems, and engagement strategies, focusing on sustainable growth and retention.

Key Contributions & Growth Impact

1. Driving Engagement: DAU/MAU Growth

• Challenge: Encouraging both NFT holders and new players to engage consistently.
• Solution: Designed an intuitive onboarding experience to simplify Web3 interactions, integrated social & competitive mechanics (leaderboards, staking incentives, time-limited events).
• Impact: DAU/MAU ratio increased, signaling improved user retention and engagement.

2. Monetization: Higher ARPU (Average Revenue Per User)

• Challenge: Balancing in-game purchases, NFT utility, and player experience.
• Solution: Optimized game tokenomics, implemented reward loops to encourage microtransactions while ensuring fairness.
• Impact: Higher ARPU through in-game purchases and NFT-related transactions.

3. Cost Efficiency: Reduced CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost)

• Challenge: Attracting new users in a competitive Web3 gaming space without excessive spending.
• Solution: Leveraged strategic partnerships, community-driven marketing, and introduced free-to-play mechanics to encourage viral growth.
• Impact: Lower CAC through organic acquisition and referral programs.

4. Long-Term Value: Increased LTV (Lifetime Value)

• Challenge: Retaining players for extended engagement and revenue generation.
• Solution: Designed staking mechanisms, progression-based rewards, and exclusive NFT benefits to sustain player retention. Seasonal content updates kept users engaged.
• Impact: Higher LTV due to strong retention mechanics and ecosystem incentives.

5. Marketplace Growth: Boosted GMV (Gross Merchandise Value)

• Challenge: Driving secondary market transactions of in-game assets and NFTs.
• Solution: Designed in-game rewards and incentives that encouraged trading and secondary sales, increasing demand for digital assets.
• Impact: Boosted GMV by improving asset liquidity and desirability.

6. Recurring Revenue: Increased MRR/ARR

• Challenge: Establishing a sustainable revenue stream.
• Solution: Introduced subscription-based staking benefits and premium content access for consistent revenue generation.
• Impact: Improved MRR/ARR through ongoing NFT staking rewards and exclusive membership perks.

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Live Product: https://playside.thelittles.io/

End Product: Audio & UX design for DreamSpace, 1-UP Arcade and Playside, Published the Official Playside Whitepaper, Marketing Collaterals for @thelittlesnft on X