Detactive – Outdoor Adventure App

A mobile gaming app that transforms any neighborhood into an interactive playground. Start immersive, story-driven missions exactly where you are.
  • Role
    Co-Founder
    & UX Lead
  • Year
    2023
  • Team
    4 Founders
  • Focus
    User Experience, CI, Branding,
    AR-Integration
Problem Statement
Modern users face a lack of engaging and flexible outdoor activities.
  • Few incentives for outdoor engagement
    Limited options for fun, entertaining experiences outside.
  • Traditional leisure activities are restrictive:
    Common pain points
    • Location-bound
    • Time-limited
    • Inflexible
    • Monotonous
    • Expensive or costly
    • Designed for teams
    • Requiring special equipment

Transforming the World into an Interactive Playground

  • Anywhere, Anytime (The Flexible Route Engine)

    To solve the "location-bound" pain point, we designed a dynamic routing system. Instead of fixed paths, the app generates interactive stories based on the user's current GPS location, making every neighborhood a potential game world.

  • Immersive Narrative-Driven UX

    We moved beyond simple GPS triggers by integrating professionally scripted stories with decision-making mechanics. Every choice influences the narrative, increasing user agency and replayability.

  • Augmented Reality (AR) Integration

    To tackle "monotonous" outdoor activities, we implemented AR features that allow players to find and collect digital tools—like signal detectors or flashlights—in real-world locations.

Market Research & Studies

  • +25%
    Annual
    Growth.

    The mobile gaming market in Germany grew by around 25% per year between 2017 and 2021, showing high user engagement and market potential.
  • 39%
    Mobile
    Gamers.

    Almost four out of ten smartphone users play games regularly, making mobile gaming one of the most popular digital leisure activities.
  • 53.5%
    Puzzle Enthusiasts.

    More than half of the German population over 14 regularly enjoys puzzle-solving activities — a strong fit for Detactive’s core mechanics.
  • $185B
    Global App Spending by 2027.

    Consumer spending on mobile apps is projected to rise from $124B in 2022 to $185B by 2027, reflecting sustained growth and monetization potential.

Building a Brand for Modern Adventurers

Building a scalable digital product requires a strong atmospheric presence to succeed in a competitive market. I led the development of a comprehensive visual identity from early logo conceptualization to establishing a unified color palette. This consistent visual language builds immediate trust and sets the precise tone for an outdoor mystery experience before the user even begins their journey. By aligning the brand visuals with the core narrative we created a memorable identity that resonates deeply with the target audience and supports long term product growth.

Crafting a Scalable Design System

Creating a complex digital product requires absolute order and a highly structured architectural approach. To ensure visual consistency and streamline the development process I established a robust design system from the ground up. This foundation included standardized typography component libraries and high contrast elements optimized specifically for outdoor readability under varying light conditions. A unified visual language guarantees a seamless interface and maintains deep immersion across all interactive screens. This systematic framework allowed the team to build new features efficiently while maintaining a polished professional aesthetic throughout the entire application.

Architecting the Core User Journey

A successful outdoor application requires absolute clarity and zero friction during the initial setup phase. I designed a highly intuitive onboarding process and a structured mission catalog allowing users to discover and launch adventures without technical barriers. The underlying game flow perfectly maps the complex scenario logic by connecting digital navigation with real world movement and narrative decisions. Every screen transition and user flow was carefully mapped out to reduce cognitive load ensuring that players remain focused on their physical surroundings rather than struggling with the interface.

Conceptualizing Interactive Game Mechanics

To elevate the experience beyond standard passive storytelling I conceptualized a variety of engaging logic puzzles and interactive challenges. These mechanics were designed as diegetic tools that blend naturally with the narrative environment keeping the user completely absorbed in the mission. This strategic interaction design transforms users from mere observers into active protagonists who must solve complex tasks in real time. By integrating tactile feedback and intuitive puzzle interfaces the gameplay remains dynamic and highly engaging throughout the entire duration of the outdoor adventure.