Anno 1800 Companion Tool is a fan-made application designed to enhance the gaming experience of Anno 1800 players by providing essential information, calculations, and features not readily available in the game itself. Recognizing the opportunity to improve the gaming experience, I embarked on a journey to create a companion app that would fill these gaps in a personal and community-driven project.

   

Research & Design Opportunity

During the initial stages of user research for the Anno 1800 Companion Tool, it became clear that existing companion tools for the game suffered from significant usability problems. User interfaces were cluttered, illogical, and difficult to navigate. Many features were buried within menus and options, making it a chore to find the information they needed quickly. This research pinpointed a critical opportunity to create a companion app with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, prioritizing ease of use and clear presentation of information. By addressing these shortcomings, the Anno 1800 Companion Tool aimed to provide a seamless and frustration-free experience for Anno 1800 players of all skill levels.

UX Design

User-Centric Approach: The UX design focused on simplicity and functionality. The app was crafted with an intuitive interface to cater to both seasoned players and newcomers. The primary goal was to make complex calculations and information easily accessible, contributing to a more streamlined and enjoyable gaming experience.

Feature Highlights:

Consumption Calculation: Enables users to calculate resource consumption and plan city layouts more efficiently.

Optimal Production Chains: Provides insights into the optimal production chains for various goods, aiding players in maximizing efficiency.

Expedition Supplies Lookup: Helps users find the right supplies for their expeditions, ensuring successful and well-prepared ventures.

Old Nate’s Workshop Tracking: Allows players to quickly access Old Nate’s Workshop items and keep track of the required goods for transmutation.

Collectible Tracking: Keeps track of your items for your Zoo, Museum and Botanical Garden. And allows players to have a quick overview of any missing items.

Development Process

Community Feedback Loop: The development process adopted a community-centric approach. The initial release served as a foundation, and subsequent updates were driven by user feedback and suggestions. Regular updates ensured that the app evolved based on the evolving needs and preferences of the Anno 1800 gaming community.

Platform Accessibility: Recognizing the diverse user base, the app was developed for both Android and iOS platforms, ensuring accessibility for a broad audience of Anno 1800 players. The cross-platform compatibility contributed to the widespread adoption of the tool.

Data & Localization: Leveraging in-game databases, I developed a system to easily add and update data and localization for the app through CSV files. The localization allows players to change the app to their desired language with ease.

Highlighted Reviews

The usefulness of this app is enormous for having a quick and very readable overview of the needs of residents. Production chains that show, going back to the raw materials, the number of buildings needed according to the final product manufactured and according to improvements such as silos or tractors are great. The navigation is intuitive and clear. Very good job, keep updating each DLC as you do! – Translated from French

I dont think I’ve ever found a companion app that’s this useful for a video game and this easy to use! Not only can you calculate what your citizens need, but you can keep stats for several islands at once. The game info you enter also saves to the app for future use. Additionally, there is a useful notepad in the app to help remember stuff between play sessions. If all of the cool bells and whistles weren’t enough, you decide where the ad banner goes so it doesn’t get in the way. Best app!

This is just an awesome application, it’s especially convenient that you don’t have to minimize the game to recalculate expenses and needs as the population increases. There are simply no words for cool. – Translated from Russian

This is the best tool you can have if you want to get things running smoothly in your game. Much faster and easier than using the in-game stats. Also, it is continuously updated as the game expands and more content is added. What really sells it for me is that there are no belligerent tricks and blocks to force you to spend money to unlock functionalities. Guys, buy the dev a coffee!

Results and Impact

The Anno 1800 Companion Tool has garnered significant success within the gaming community, boasting over 25,000 active installations and over 500 reviews with an average rating of 4.6. By addressing the unmet needs of players, this fan-made app has not only filled a void in the Anno 1800 gaming experience but has also fostered a sense of collaboration and shared enthusiasm within the gaming community. The positive impact is evident through the active engagement of users and the continuous growth of the app’s feature set. The iterative development process, fueled by user feedback, has solidified its position as an essential companion for Anno 1800 enthusiasts.

Download the Anno 1800 Companion Tool for Android and iOS now, and elevate your Anno 1800 gaming experience!