If your app feels like a boss fight with no cheat codes, you’ve already lost your user.

Confused? They’re not. They’re playing a game you didn’t even realize you designed.

Rules unclear. Rewards hidden. Goals ambiguous. That’s what poor UX can feel like to users. And instead of sticking around, they’ll hit "quit" faster than a game over screen.

Here’s the truth though: this isn’t just bad design; it’s unintentional experience design. You’ve accidentally created challenges where there shouldn’t be any.

🔍 What’s happening?
·      Dark patterns can frustrate and mislead, but sometimes they’re accidental. How often does friction make users abandon sign-ups or purchases?
·      Cognitive overload leaves users feeling stuck. Too many choices. Not enough clear paths forward.
·      Misaligned goals create tension. Are your business goals unintentionally clashing with user needs?

🎮 How should we think instead?

Good UX is like a well-designed game. Players (your users) know:
1️⃣ What they need to achieve.
2️⃣ What tools and options they have.
3️⃣ How to progress without constantly failing or feeling lost. 🚀

Whether it’s streamlining workflows, clarifying calls-to-action, or avoiding
unnecessary barriers, designing with a game-informed lens can shift UX from frustration to flow.

✨ Great design isn’t just about aesthetics or functionality. It’s about understanding why users behave the way they do and designing experiences that intuitively guide them.

What’s the “boss fight” moment in your app, site, or service? Share your UX wins, oops moments, or design tips below!

“Unintended Path”
“Mental Model Mismatch”
“Workaround Detected”