Blast.tv

Blast is a premier Danish event company renowned for its immersive esports experiences, particularly in Counter-Strike GO. Established with a vision to elevate the esports industry, Blast organizes large-scale tournaments that combine high production value with innovative formats to engage fans worldwide. The company’s approach to events blends traditional sports broadcasting with cutting-edge gamification and interactivity, creating a dynamic platform that captivates both live and digital audiences.

Role: Lead Designer     Website: Blast.tv

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Introduction

In 2022, I joined Blast with a mission to create a dedicated streaming platform tailored to their Counter-Strike events. Moving beyond the limitations of platforms like Twitch, the goal was to design a unique, immersive experience that truly resonated with the CS
community. This platform was crafted to deepen viewer engagement through innovative gamification elements directly tied to the events themselves. From interactive features allowing fans to influence in-game moments—like triggering a flamethrower effect—to challenges and rewards that brought them closer to the action, the project focused on merging gameplay and viewership in a seamless, exhilarating way.

Process

The process began with a lot of ambitious ideas for the platform, but without a clear direction on specific features. To bring focus, we decided to strip down the concepts to the essential functions and create an MVP. However, stakeholder input led to a broader feature set than originally intended by my team.

I worked across two main tracks. One was to establish a design concept and build a cohesive design system, while the other involved rapidly designing individual features so development could begin immediately. This concurrent approach posed challenges, but we found a workable balance. Developers were kept in the loop to concentrate on backend tasks initially, allowing us more time to finalize the front-end design.

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Design concept and system

In exploring other gaming platforms for inspiration, a clear design language emerged: dark themes paired with bold, vibrant accent colors to create a dynamic, immersive atmosphere. This aesthetic resonates well with action-packed gaming content, especially for a high-energy title like CS
. The platform needed to leverage these elements to ensure that the design not only felt engaging but visually complemented the intensity of the gameplay footage.

To align with the style and enhance the user experience, we prioritized a layout that incorporated ample video content, placing it at the forefront to capture and maintain user attention. Since gamification was a core aspect of our platform, the design also had to be versatile and robust enough to support a range of interactive features. This meant crafting an interface that balanced visual appeal with functionality, allowing for real-time interactions and dynamic effects that would keep viewers engaged. The final result aimed to bridge the gap between the viewer and the game, creating a viewing experience that felt as immersive as the gameplay itself.

The frontpage

 
The homepage needed to capture and convey the high-energy vibe of the platform from the very first glance. To achieve this, we combined immersive video content with a dark-themed backdrop and bold accent colors, creating a striking visual impact. This design approach emphasized the intensity of the gaming experience, drawing users in with a sense of anticipation and excitement that set the stage for the rest of the site

Streaming

The streaming experience and core functionality of the platform are built around several interactive features that enhance user engagement. At the heart of the platform is the video player, where users can watch live events in high quality, immersing themselves in the action. Complementing this is a real-time chat function, which allows viewers to connect with each other, share reactions, and build a sense of community during live broadcasts.

We also introduced an action timeline—a feature that highlights key moments and milestones during each match, enabling users to jump back to exciting plays or track major events as they unfold. Gamification elements are woven throughout the platform to further enrich the experience. These interactive features let viewers actively participate, earn rewards, and even impact certain in-game events, transforming the streaming experience into an engaging, community-driven journey.

Action timeline

The action timeline is a feature that highlights key moments and milestones during each match, enabling users to jump back to exciting plays or track major events as they unfold.

Live chat feature

A key element of any live streaming experience is the live chat, where viewers can connect and share the excitement in real time, bringing a social aspect to watching from home. Our chat feature goes beyond simple messaging by integrating elements from the platform’s gamification system. Here, users can showcase unique emojis and personalized profile images they’ve unlocked, adding a personal touch and highlighting their achievements. This not only enhances interaction but also creates a sense of belonging and recognition within the community, making the viewing experience more engaging and rewarding.

Eventpage

The event page is a central feature of the platform, allowing users to stay updated on specific tournaments, view scores, and track team standings. This page includes features like interactive brackets, where fans can follow each team’s progression, and a replay option, enabling users to watch previously played matches at their convenience. It’s designed to provide a comprehensive view of the tournament, keeping fans informed and engaged with every twist and turn of the competition.