Okislo Dreams
Okislo Dreams is a classic 4x5 slot game developed for the 188Bet platform, featuring over 50 paylines and an accessible free spin system. With high winning rates and attractive odds, the game is designed to appeal to a broad range of players seeking engaging slot experiences.
Targeting the Japanese gaming market, Okislo Dreams draws inspiration from Japanese anime aesthetics and Pachinko-style gameplay, incorporating vibrant visuals and dynamic animations to enhance the user experience.
As a Japanese anime fan and game enthusiast, I was excited to bring my passion into developing a game deeply rooted in anime aesthetics. While designing the game characters, I drew inspiration from popular character styles to create visually appealing and immersive designs that resonate with players.
I aimed to create a vibrant, festive beach party atmosphere inspired by Okinawa’s coastal charm. To achieve this, I designed characters, environments, and UI elements that reflect the energy and warmth of a seaside celebration. My goal was to provide players with an immersive experience, transporting them to a lively Okinawan beach through engaging visuals and thoughtful design.
Game Features & Design Strategy
The visual design of this game draws inspiration from traditional gaming platforms, creating an experience that mirrors the excitement of playing at a real Pachinko machine. By blending the thrill of gambling with vibrant, dynamic visuals, the game immerses players in a world that captures the authentic atmosphere of Japanese-style gaming while delivering the fun and excitement expected on a digital gambling platform.
Ideation Process
Understanding the Target Market
This project was designed specifically for the Japanese gaming market, as research showed that Japanese players tend to prefer locally inspired designs over Western-style games. To ensure market appeal and reduce the risk of low engagement, we conducted research to identify the key elements that make a game visually and thematically "feel Japanese."
Character Design Approach
Environmental & UI Design Strategy
To align with Japanese gaming expectations, I focused on integrating elements that evoke familiar and culturally relevant imagery:Okinawa Beach Setting – Inspired by the popularity of beach/swimsuit themes in Japanese animation and games, I designed a vibrant coastal scene to match player expectations.
Pachinko Influence – Since Pachinko is a widely recognized and culturally significant game in Japan, I incorporated Pachinko-style light bulbs and machine elements into the design, reinforcing the connection to traditional Japanese gaming experiences.
By combining anime-style character design, a culturally familiar setting, and Pachinko-inspired elements, the final visual presentation successfully aligns with Japanese player preferences, ensuring a more engaging and immersive experience.
Challenges
Balancing Creative Vision with Market Demands
One of the key challenges in this project was aligning the design style with the expectations of the Market team while maintaining the original creative vision. Throughout the design process, the Market team provided extensive feedback and suggestions, often requesting adjustments to align with their target audience insights and business objectives.
The challenge was finding the right balance—incorporating their input without compromising the artistic integrity and cohesive design direction. Negotiating these differences required strong communication, adaptability, and design justification to ensure that both creative and marketing goals were met.
Solutions
Collaborative Refinement & Style Alignment
To bridge the gap between design vision and market expectations, we adopted a collaborative approach:
Reference Alignment: We established a shared visual direction by reviewing and confirming reference images, ensuring that both teams had a unified understanding of the style.
Incorporating Market Insights: We integrated key Japanese stylistic elements favored by the Market team into the interface, enhancing cultural authenticity while preserving design consistency.
Iterative Discussion & Refinement: Through ongoing discussions, we balanced market-driven requests with aesthetically cohesive design choices, resulting in a product that successfully met both business goals and artistic integrity.
Tools
Photoshop
llustrator
draw.io
Role
2D Designer
A 2D designer creates characters, backgrounds, and UI, defining the game’s visual style for an immersive player experience.
Timeline
Overall: 3+ weeks
Character Design
I began by analyzing popular anime character designs to identify common stylistic elements. Through extensive research and comparisons, I found that recurring features—such as golden hair, high school uniforms, and expressive facial features—were commonly associated with recognizable and appealing anime aesthetics. These insights guided the creation of characters that resonate with Japanese players.
Additional Design Work
Once the mockup is finalized, I proceed with designing additional game pages and collaborating with developers to create a comprehensive game flowchart.
After ensuring that all design elements are complete and nothing is missing, I move on to designing the game logo and advertisements. Finally, I organize and export the necessary assets, preparing them for seamless integration with the development team.
Project Feedback & Market Reception
The 188Bet platform highly praised the game’s Japanese anime-style design, stating that it successfully aligned with their market expectations. During the game promotion period, it achieved a high play rate, demonstrating strong player engagement and validating the effectiveness of the design strategy.
