

We also began focusing on device attributes, such as size, colour, surfacing, texture, materials, and button size and placement, balancing user comfort and device portability.īackbone One’s hardware complements the incredible Backbone app. We appreciated the opportunity to co-create.”Īfter dozens of physical mock-ups, we winnowed down concepts to the two best options before moving to Computer-Aided Design (CAD) imagery. “They encouraged us to offer ideas, participate in design reviews and also prototype on our own. “The team’s approach to design is highly collaborative,” says Khaira. Together with Backbone, we created a hinge mechanism connecting controller handles and expanding and contracting to accommodate different iPhone sizes. We needed a flexible product design to support a wide range of devices. Next, we moved into concept generation, creating sketches and foam core studies to understand form, proportions and sizing. “Their vision for the industry is unparalleled.” “This team brings everything to the table: a deep understanding of emerging trends, consumer lifestyle design, gaming and hardware design,” says Khaira. Leveraging deep experience in gaming and controller design, we built working prototypes that we challenged and validated, determining what the final product experience should look like.

This enables us to use a structured process to uncover new insights, develop and test the best ideas, and overcome any roadblocks along the way,” says Norio Fujikawa, Executive Creative Director. “With all projects, we apply a five-step methodology for driving end-to-end product innovation. Our team brought consumer lifestyle insights, gaming and controller design expertise to bear. There was an opportunity to launch Backbone boldly, create industry noise, and potentially, own a category.

Our team captured Backbone’s vision for creating a gaming experience that would harness the Apple iPhone platform. “Little did we know that cloud and core gaming on mobile would experience exponential growth, resulting in a groundswell of excitement around this vision.”īringing a compelling vision for mobile gaming to life Just as Roku built a business out of bringing all the video services to one place and Sonos did for music, Backbone aims to do so for gaming on mobile devices,” says Maneet Khaira, CEO, Backbone. “We had a vision for a device platform that could power the future of gaming, which in our view was centred around mobile. That means high-fidelity mobile gaming is comparable to playing on a high-end console, offering an amazing clarity of vision and a more elevated experience overall for years to come. Understanding the limitations of gaming on mobile, Backbone One enhances mobile gaming with better inputs and software. Further, consumers can use a product they already have for gaming, rather than purchasing a dedicated system, opening up opportunity to more people. Even as the world returns to normal, mobile gaming activity remains high, as new behaviours have become entrenched in our lifestyle. In addition to playing games with friends, family, and strangers, consumers also watch top gamers livestream on platforms such as Twitch. Mobile gaming use surged 63 percent, as consumers looked for ways to relieve stress and tedium and connect socially. In addition, the fidelity of imagery and features get richer with every product release.ĭuring 2020, consumers were trapped at home due to the pandemic. They’re ubiquitous, easy to use, and always with consumers. Backbone worked with Sony to develop the Backbone One: PlayStation Edition.Released October 2020, Backbone One has become the #1 best seller on Amazon in the cell phone gaming controllers category.
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