Kuboo
Case Study

From Sketch to Safe Haven: How Clear Design Documentation Empowered a First-Time Game Development Team

Project
Kuboo
Customers
Safe Communications
Platforms
Mobile (iOS & Android)
Technologies
Unity
Website
#

Project Overview

Safe Communications, a company specializing in child-safe internet products, partnered with Robot Sea Monster to bring their vision of Kuboo to life—a secure online space for children aged 8–13 that complies with the Child Online Protection Act (COPA). As their first venture into gaming, Kuboo was designed to offer a free-to-play experience featuring engaging activities like sports, puzzles, and home decoration. Robot Sea Monster was tasked with delivering a COPA-compliant platform that prioritized both safety and enjoyment, ensuring a fun and secure environment for young users.

Key Features

  • Robust Parental Controls: Kuboo prioritized safety by providing parents with comprehensive tools to manage and monitor their children’s online activities, ensuring a secure and controlled environment.
  • Custom Reward System: To maintain a safe and engaging experience, Robot Sea Monster implemented an innovative in-game reward system that eliminated traditional monetization while fostering active participation and enjoyment.
  • Diverse and Creative Activities: Children could explore various activities, including sports, puzzles, and home decoration, encouraging creativity, exploration, and fun in a secure setting.

Project Video

The Solution

  • Comprehensive Design Documentation: Robot Sea Monster developed detailed design documentation that served as a clear and structured roadmap, enabling both teams to work independently while maintaining alignment and cohesion throughout the project.
  • Custom In-App Rewards System: To ensure a safe, free-to-play environment for children, Robot Sea Monster designed an innovative reward system that replaced traditional monetization methods, aligning with COPA compliance requirements.
  • Strategic On-Site Workshops: Robot Sea Monster facilitated two collaborative on-site visits—one at the project’s initiation and another mid-development—to promote efficient communication, address potential challenges early, and ensure streamlined project management.

The Results

  • Empowered Development Team: With the comprehensive design documentation created by Robot Sea Monster, the client’s team completed the project independently, reducing the need for ongoing clarifications.
  • Safe & Engaging Gameplay: Kuboo launched as a free-to-play, COPA-compliant game, delivering a safe, engaging, and entertaining online experience for children.

The Challenge

  • Clarity of Vision & Team Cohesion: Safe Communication’s internal development team, operating in a different region, required additional support to navigate the complexities of bringing a product to market. To foster seamless collaboration and alignment, we prioritized creating comprehensive design documentation to ensure all teams worked toward a shared vision.
  • Balancing Free-to-Play and COPA Compliance: Developing monetization strategies that adhered to COPA regulations was critical to maintaining a secure environment for children while also striving to achieve the virality essential for the game’s success.
  • Accelerated Development Timeline: The project faced additional pressure due to an initial movie license that was later retracted, requiring a swift turnaround to adapt and deliver within the adjusted scope and timeline.

Testimonials

Working with Robot Sea Monster has been a productive experience. They took time to understand my objectives and needs - helping me explore the best way to achieve them. Their ability to build strong, capable teams and navigate the challenges of smaller budgets and constraints is unmatched. From the outset, they focused on defining success clearly, ensuring every project avoids misaligned expectations and scope creep. 

The team doesn’t just execute; they guide clients through a consultative process, helping refine their vision and align goals for the best outcomes. Whether supporting small studios or tackling large-scale projects, Robot Sea Monster consistently delivers exceptional results with a deep understanding of industry trends and challenges.

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Chris Toepker

Partner, Dinosaur Time Capsule
Executive V.P., Product Development, Kuboo

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