PalBits: Transforming Game Controllers into Evolving Physical Companions
Role: UX Research Lead, Interaction Designer
Team: Edna Ho, Daiwei Chen, Tiffany Mao
Timeline: October 2025
Skills: UX Research, Interaction Design,
Fusion 360, Rapid Prototyping
Jump to Final Product
PalBits turns the controller into a living companion. By using physical "Palbits" (insertable, collectible add-ons), we transformed the abstract concept of "leveling up" into a tactile, social experience.
Through research, prototyping, and iteration, our team explored how accomplishment can be a core driver of fun. The final design invites children to physically and emotionally grow alongside their in-game avatar, creating a deeper sense of attachment, agency, and pride.
Most game controllers are static tools; for children, they lack the emotional resonance of the worlds they navigate.
What if we could design a controller that “evolved” with its players?
We started with a broad prompt: Design a unique controller that embodies "fun." Initial research showed that for our target audience, "fun" was synonymous with Accomplishment. However, our first prototype—a "take-apart" modular controller—was frustrating rather than enjoyable. It lacked an initial emotional hook.
Hypothesis
Accomplishment as “Fun” → “Fun” as Customizable Immersion
How might we define what “fun” means to gamers and translate that insight into the design of a new game controller?
Initial Concepts
Accomplishment as “Fun” → “Fun” as Customizable Immersion
Users found this version “fun” but not accomplishing
This was due to the lack of initial emotional connection, potentially due the format of the interview or console introduction
Users found avatar form enjoyable but were concerned about the comfort and ergonomics of the shape
Concept 1: As players “leveled up”, the controller would “evolve” along side them
by revealing more cosmetic parts, such as horns.
Concept 2: A controller that physically changed shape to increase difficulty as
players leveled up, producing a final trophy with the removed parts.
Users found this version “fun” and accomplishing
Users found the form non-intuitive and did not understand that the difficulty was meant to be increasing on first use.
Users found the controller experience more frustrating than enjoyable
While both prototypes had merit, neither successfully combined accomplishment with enjoyable interaction. We needed to merge the emotional appeal of avatar evolution with intuitive, satisfying physical interactions. This realization drove our design pivot.
Based on prototype feedback and deeper research into child development psychology, we realized our product would be more successful in a younger market due to the popularity of “cuteness” and “personalization”. Thus, we shifted our focus to children aged 8–12, with stronger needs for customization and autonomy.
Key Learning → Pivot
Players wanted both emotional connection AND visible progress.
Design Redirection
An in-game avatar concept with a discrete & involved evolution.
From left to right, a new slot opens for new skill/add-on acquired
LED screen to visibly see physical evolution with new jibbit
Children 8-12 appreciate customization and autonomy
RPG with story that has an end hence the set number of slots
Make multiplayer game
Kids like to show friends new add-ons
Kids as main character
Introducing our Solution: Palbits
Palbits is a series of personalizable, insertable ability bits that power up as players level up in game.
Once inserted, players level up their newly unlocked abilities! Be careful though, there are a limited number of ability slots so switch out your Palbits as needed for your current challenge!
Kids are able to select and purchase different packs of Palbits that correspond to different abilities and power ups.
Customize your characters to have a personalized mix of superpowers!
Get PalBit from wizard pack
Insert PalBit into open slot
Level 1
Insert PalBit into open slot and gain a wand!
Level up your wand PalBit: the more you play and show off to your online friends!
Game controller with 3 Palbits inserted
Game controller with 3 new holes designed in Fusion
Top: Wizard pack, Bottom: Fairy pack
Bits designed in Nomad
Clear, defined progression points prevent overwhelm and make achievement feel concrete rather than abstract.
Discrete Evolution
Combining tangible bits with digital progression creates stronger emotional connections to gameplay accomplishments.
Progress becomes tangible!
Physical + Digital
Customization allows players to shape their own adventure and to feel un-restricted in coming up with ways to problem solve, creating a stronger sense of ownership and accomplishment.
Identity + Self-Confidence
Because the upgrades are visible, players can easily show their progress to friends, reinforcing the social dimension of gaming.
Social Sharing
Design Rationale
We started designing for 18-28 year-olds because that's who we interviewed and were most comfortable designer for as students.
But our concept of an "evolving controller" kept feeling forced for that demographic. When we researched child development psychology, everything clicked—kids ages 8-12 naturally crave customization, autonomy, and social validation. The lesson: your initial user research might reveal the insight, but not always the right audience for your solution.
Know when to pivot.
This project challenged me to think critically about how abstract emotions like “fun” can be translated into design decisions.
I really enjoyed working on a project revolving around what I love: gaming and their peripherals. Thank you so much to Professor Ahmed Riaz from Logitech for the guidance!
Overall...
Both initial prototypes were well received, but had their shortcomings so neither were the ideal solution. We also failed a lot during the physical prototyping due to the finicky nature of 3D printing, but I really got to know the ins and out of the software by the end.
Don’t be afraid of failure!
Reflection
We failed...alot...
10:32AM