Crit & Caboodle
Revolutionizing Mental Health through Virtual Tabletop Gaming!
Crit & Caboodle is an all-in-one virtual tabletop, blending online gaming experiences with mental health resources for players and professionals.
The Challenge
My initial proposal aimed to improve Roll20's user experience by addressing its issues. However, upon discovering therapists using the platform for play-therapy sessions, I pivoted to Crit & Caboodle, a platform merging virtual tabletop gaming with mental health services, offering accessible therapy, gaming resources, and an online community.
MY ROLE
Front-end Developer
Product Designer
UI/UX Designer
TOOLS
Figma
Illustrator
Miro
Photoshop
PROJECT SCOPE
Platform Development and Integration
Virtual Tabletop Gaming Experience
Therapy and Mental Health Services
Community Building and Engagement
Security, Privacy, and Compliance
User Research
The analysis involved assessing the user experience (UX) of Roll20 and BetterHelp, focusing on features, appearance, and usability, with particular attention to simplifying and streamlining elements.
Nine participants were interviewed to understand their usage patterns, preferences, and suggestions for improvement regarding Roll20. While mental health wasn't directly addressed with the participants, feedback from three therapists highlighted challenges with Roll20's interface, complex features, and connectivity issues, impacting the efficiency of game sessions and potentially affecting client outcomes and costs.
Primary Users
Teens and young adults (ages 13–30)
Middle-aged adults (30–50)
Teens and Adults
Mental Health Professionals
Gamers
Caregivers and Parents
General Users
Interested in improving social, cognitive, and behavioral skills in a fun, engaging way through RPG-based therapy.
Therapists and counselors seeking tools to facilitate play-therapy sessions or integrate RPG mechanics into their practice.
Individuals looking for a supportive, inclusive gaming community with a mental health focus.
Those seeking alternative therapeutic tools for their children or loved ones.
People who value the combination of gaming with accessible mental health resources in a non-intimidating format.
How can we effectively integrate virtual tabletop gaming with therapeutic interventions in improving users' mental health outcomes, such as social skills, emotional regulation, and cognitive behavior?
Market Research
Researching top VTT and mental health apps revealed a market gap in addressing users' gaming and health needs. These apps mostly offered a virtual space for playing games, offered limited content, community engagement, or professional guidance. After a competitor analysis, considering users' long-term success, I aimed to fill these gaps by creating Crit & Caboodle.
Roll20
Pros
- Feature rich and customizable
- One-time purchase model
- Extensive modding community
Cons
- Hosting requirements
- Steep learning curve
- Limited accessibility
FoundryPros
- Official integration with D&D
- Streamlined character management
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Paywall for content
- Limited system scope
- Reliance on internet connectivity
D&D Beyond
Pros
- Accessibility and convenience
- Customization
- Community support
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Technical limitations
- Monetization model
Better Help
Pros
- Convenient and accessible
- Diverse therapist network
- Flexible scheduling
Cons
- Cost
- Limited crisis support
- Variable quality of therapists
Pros
- Insurance compatibility
- Variety of communication methods
- Specialized therapy options
Talkspace
Cons
- High cost without insurance
- Potential lack of personal connection
- Inconsistent therapy matching
After conducting reseaarch, I concluded our app should have the following key features:
User Persona
User Flow
The user flow demonstrates the initial app usage, including tasks like creating a game, launching a game, finding resources for game content and promoting mental wellness, and finding a therapist who can run gaming sessions.
Lo-Fi Wireframes
The initial lo-fi wireframes guided my hi-res versions and enabled early usability tests, revealing crucial revisions needed, such as:
- Overwhelming Layout
- Character Sheet Navigation
- Asset Management
Issue: The interface felt cluttered and overwhelming, especially for new users. The toolbar, chat log, initiative tracker, character sheets, and other elements all competed for screen space. This often led to a steep learning curve, as users spent time figuring out where everything is and how it works.
Suggestion: Implementing a more modular UI with collapsible menus and customizable layouts would help users prioritize the tools they need while decluttering the workspace.
Issue: Many users found the character sheet interface unintuitive. Tabs and expandable sections within sheets often felt cramped, and some functions (like rolling specific skills or attacks) were not immediately obvious. This can slow down gameplay as users hunt for the right controls.
Suggestion: Redesigning character sheets with clearer labeling, better use of space, and tooltips for complex features would improve accessibility. A toggle between "simple" and "detailed" views could cater to both beginners and advanced players.
Issue: The token selection and asset management interface were = cumbersome, requiring multiple steps to assign control, vision, and other properties.
Suggestion: A simpler drag-and-drop or quick-access menu could address this.
Visual Design
Below is a mood board that helped inform the visual aesthetic.
Hi-Fi Wireframes
Prototyping
I made a prototype using Figma. Click here to view and test it.
Usability Testing
I tested the prototype with nine volunteers to improve the overall user experience.
Key Issues Identified and Addressed
- Overwhelming Navigation Menu
- Disorganized Structure
- Confusing Search Filters
Solution: Implement a mega-menu and group related items under clear categories.
Solution: Prioritize frequently used links and use clear, concise headings or sections to create logical divisions.
Solution: Avoid overwhelming users with too many options or features at once and allow users to filter by data relevant to them.
Reflection: Takeaways & Next Steps
Building the Future of Gaming & Wellness: Navigating Challenges and Dreaming Big
Crit & Caboodle is an ongoing project that I am still developing. While it has a lot to offer, it faces challenges in technology and user interface design. Creating an intuitive product that meets all user needs for gaming and mental wellness without overwhelming them is quite difficult. Another challenge I encountered was mobile optimization. At that time, it was not feasible to translate the design from desktop to a mobile interface. In the future, I hope to find a design solution that incorporates a mobile feature, as well as additional mental wellness tools alongside gaming features. These could include journaling integrations, mood trackers, or other mental health resources.