DriveClub was one of the flagship launch titles for PlayStation 4, introducing a social, team-based racing experience built around clubs and competition.

Evolution Studios wanted to extend that experience beyond the console. The goal was a second-screen app that allowed players to stay connected, track progress, and interact with their club in real time.

I was brought in to leadglossary×LeadA lead is a potential customer who has shown interest in a product or service, typically by providing contact information or engaging with content.Open glossary term→ UX and project deliveryglossary×DeliveryDelivery is the process of building, testing, and releasing a product or feature.Open glossary term→, designing a multi-device experience across iOS and Android that felt like a natural extension of the PlayStation ecosystem.

The challenge was delivering something new, under tight deadlines, alongside a major console launch.

Game development is fluid. Featuresglossary×FeatureA feature is a specific piece of functionality within a product that delivers value to users. It represents something users can do or experience as part of the overall product.Open glossary term→ change, priorities shift, and nothing stays fixed for long.

The second-screen experience had to evolve alongside the game, without falling out of sync.

At the same time, expectations were high. This wasn’t a companion tool. It needed to feel like part of the PlayStation experience, not something bolted on afterwards.

There were also hard deadlines. Press events, demos and launch milestones couldn’t move.

The risk was clear. If the app felt disconnected, or missed key milestones, it would undermine both the product and the launch.

The focus was on creating a seamless extension of the console experience.

Close collaboration with Evolution Studios ensured the app evolved in line with the game. Featuresglossary×FeatureA feature is a specific piece of functionality within a product that delivers value to users. It represents something users can do or experience as part of the overall product.Open glossary term→, flowsglossary×DelightMoments that exceed user expectations.Open glossary term→ and interactionsglossary×InteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term→ were aligned continuously, not handed over at the end.

The experience was designed to mirror PlayStation’s design language, maintaining visual and interactionglossary×InteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term→ consistencyglossary×ConsistencyConsistency is the use of uniform patterns, behaviours, and visual elements across a product to create familiarity and predictability. It helps users learn once and apply that knowledge throughout the experience.Open glossary term→ across devices.

At the same time, the app had to stand on its own. Mobile interactionsglossary×InteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term→ were designed for contextglossary×ContextThe surrounding conditions that shape behaviour and decisions.Open glossary term→, making it easy for users to dip in and out without losing engagementglossary×EngagementEngagement refers to how users interact with a product, content, or experience, including actions like clicks, time spent, and interactions.Open glossary term→.

I managed a cross-functional teamglossary×Cross-functional TeamA cross-functional team includes members with different skills working together towards a shared goal.Open glossary term→ of designers and developersglossary×DeveloperA developer builds and maintains the technical implementation of a product.Open glossary term→, balancing speed with quality, and adapting quickly as requirements changed.

Every decision was made with one principle in mind. Keep players connected to the game, wherever they were.

The result was a mobile and tablet app that allowed players to stay connected to DriveClub beyond the console.

Players could track races in real time, monitor leaderboards, and manage their clubs from anywhere.

The experience felt consistent with PlayStation, creating a seamless transition between console and mobile.

At the same time, it introduced new ways to engage, giving players a reason to stay connected even when they weren’t actively playing.

The app became an extension of the game, not a separate product.

The app was delivered in line with key milestones, supporting press events, demos and the wider PlayStation 4 launch.

Early feedbackglossary×FeedbackFeedback is the system response that informs users about the result of their actions. It helps users understand what has happened and what to do next.Open glossary term→ from media and the gaming community was positive, particularly around the potential of second-screen integrationglossary×IntegrationIntegration is the process of connecting different systems, tools, or services to work together.Open glossary term→.

The experience demonstrated how mobile could enhance engagementglossary×EngagementEngagement refers to how users interact with a product, content, or experience, including actions like clicks, time spent, and interactions.Open glossary term→, rather than compete with the console.

Strong client feedbackglossary×FeedbackFeedback is the system response that informs users about the result of their actions. It helps users understand what has happened and what to do next.Open glossary term→ led to multiple contract extensions, allowing continued refinementglossary×RefinementRefinement is the process of preparing and clarifying backlog items before development.Open glossary term→ through to launch.

The project set a new benchmark for how companion apps could support and extend gameplay.

This project reinforced that second-screen experiences only work if they feel like part of the core product.

Players don’t think in platformsglossary×PlatformA platform is a system or environment that enables users, services, or applications to interact, build, or operate.Open glossary term→. They think in experiences.

If moving between devices creates frictionglossary×FrictionFriction refers to anything that slows users down or makes it harder for them to complete a task. It can be caused by poor design, unnecessary steps, unclear messaging, or technical issues.Open glossary term→ or disconnect, engagementglossary×EngagementEngagement refers to how users interact with a product, content, or experience, including actions like clicks, time spent, and interactions.Open glossary term→ drops immediately.

The role of UX here is to remove that boundary. To make the experience feel continuous, regardless of where it’s accessed.

Get that right, and the product becomes bigger than a single screen.