Endzone – A World Apart is a post-apocalyptic city‑builder that challenges players to guide their settlement through harsh environments and scarce resources. With the Prosperity DLC fully integrated and the Distant Places expansion underway, we set out to bring the complete experience to PlayStation and Xbox consoles—what we call the Survivor Edition.
My Role
As Experience Lead and UI/UX Engineer for the console port, I partnered closely with a UI Concepter and two dedicated console programmers responsible for performance issues and actually making the game run (one focusing on Xbox, the other on PlayStation) to make the Survivor Edition become a reality. The UI team transformed Endzone’s PC‑centric interface into a gamepad‑friendly experience without compromising the depth or clarity that fans expect.
Core Challenges
Adapting Complex Systems to Gamepad Controls
Every major UI panel, radial menu, and information overlay had to be fully navigable using only an Xbox or PlayStation controller—no mouse or keyboard.Maintaining Clarity in High‑Density Screens
Strategy city‑builders display vast amounts of data; we needed to ensure tooltips, stats, and quick‑access commands remained instantly readable on TV screens.Overhauling the Camera Controller
On PC, camera panning and zoom rely on freeform mouse movement. For consoles, I designed and implemented a controller‑based camera rig that feels both intuitive and powerful.
Foundation & Planning
To begin the transition from PC to console, I conducted a comprehensive audit of every existing UI element, evaluating each one against established console UX best practices. This analysis laid the foundation for adapting the interface to gamepad input. I then systematically mapped all core controller functions—D-pad, triggers, bumpers, analog sticks, and face buttons—to logical and intuitive in-game actions. This careful input design ensured that players could navigate even complex systems fluidly and comfortably using a gamepad.
Full Rework & Implementation (6‑Month Sprint)
As part of the UI overhaul, I streamlined the overall layout to better suit console resolution and viewing distance. This included resizing icons, reflowing panel structures, and reorganizing information blocks to ensure visual clarity and ease of navigation on large screens. Even the UI design for the Distant Places DLC—still in development at the time—was approached with console requirements in mind from the start, allowing for a smoother integration later. In addition to the interface redesign, I independently implemented the full navigation system and camera controls for gamepad use, drawing on extensive research and established best practices to create an intuitive and responsive experience across both PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
Polish & Finalization
To refine the user experience, I fine-tuned animation timings to make menu transitions feel snappy and responsive, while also incorporating subtle haptic feedback on bumper inputs to enhance tactile clarity during navigation. I added contextual tooltips and dynamic “button reminder” hints that appear when players highlight new or complex features, helping guide them through the interface without overwhelming the screen. Finally, I ensured full compatibility and consistent performance across both Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, tailoring the UI behavior and input handling to meet the specific requirements and expectations of each platform.
Outcome & Reception
On‑Time Delivery: The UI/UX rework, including camera controls, was completed within the promised 6‑month window, aligning perfectly with the Distant Places DLC launch.
Positive Team Feedback: Internally, the team praised the clarity and responsiveness of the console interface—remarkable for a genre not traditionally associated with gamepads.
Enhanced Player Experience: Early playtesters noted that the Survivor Edition’s controls felt intuitive, enabling them to dive straight into city‑building without a steep learning curve.
Key Takeaways
Thorough upfront planning is crucial when migrating complex PC interfaces to consoles.
Close collaboration with both design and programming disciplines ensures technical feasibility and user‑centered solutions.
A clear, streamlined UI coupled with intuitive gamepad controls can make even the most data‑rich strategy games accessible on console platforms.