Clash Nights Event Platform
A comprehensive event management platform that enabled Supercell to scale grassroots esports events globally through volunteer hosts.
Project Snapshot
Supercell (via Philosophie)
Gaming & Esports
July 2017 - August 2017
Product Strategist & Developer
React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, RESTful APIs, Event Management Systems
Product Strategy, UX Research, Event Management, Community Platform Development
Cross-functional team of 4: Product Strategist (myself), UX Designer, 2 Frontend/Backend Developers
What It Was
A web platform designed to democratize esports event hosting by empowering volunteer hosts to organize professional-quality Clash Royale tournaments in their cities. The platform provided comprehensive event management tools, including host onboarding, participant RSVP systems, check-in workflows, tournament bracket generation, and promotional materials distribution.
Overview of the Clash Nights platform and event experience
What I Did
- Led product strategy and UX research, conducting in-depth interviews with players and volunteer hosts to understand pain points and opportunities
- Designed and executed rehearsal events, including a full-scale Clash Nights event at Philosophie's offices to validate the user experience
- Collaborated with design and engineering teams to translate research insights into product features
- Contributed to frontend development when capacity allowed, ensuring seamless user interactions
- Developed comprehensive host guidelines and best practices based on field testing and user feedback
Event check-in system for participant registration
Tournament bracket generation and management
What Came Out of It
- Achieved the ambitious goal of facilitating 150+ events within the first three months post-launch, securing additional funding for platform expansion
- Created a scalable framework that supported community-driven esports events across multiple global markets
- Established a sustainable volunteer host ecosystem that operated independently for three years
- Generated valuable insights about grassroots esports community dynamics and event management at scale
What I Learned
Deep user research and physical prototyping are essential for creating products that work in real-world contexts. Conducting live rehearsals and stepping into users' shoes revealed critical insights that desk research alone couldn't uncover. While comprehensive discovery work can be challenging to justify to clients, the investment always pays dividends in product quality and user satisfaction. This experience reinforced my belief that the most valuable product insights come from observing actual user behavior in authentic environments.
Building Community-Driven Platforms?
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