Case Studies

GameBattles

Activision Blizzard - MLG

Description

GameBattles is an online competitive tournament platform. Featuring tournaments, leagues, ladders and more. It has more than 10 million registered gamers worldwide and more than 16 million teams looking to compete on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Wii U.

Initial challenge

Originally, our role was to extend the existing team as developers. Critical issues we encountered were poorly written monolithic PHP application and frontend that was server generated disarray. On top of that, the project was hosted on bare metal machines, provisioning was done manually and nobody knew how to bootstrap another instance of it, so scaling was impossible.

Work done

implemented GameBattles ProPoints system
created separate AngularJS SPA project for redesigned profiles, backed by Node.js API
the DevOps team migrated GameBattles infrastructure from bare metal machines to AWS, created salt provisioning and deploy the system
new GB mobile app was completed powered by new Scala/Play API
Call Of Duty Infinite Warfare in-game integration
integrated with Sony’s PSN tournaments platform
rewritten and cleaned up a massive amount of legacy PHP code that got accumulated in 15 years long GameBattles existence

Result

Over the time we became responsible for every facet of the project. GameBattles drastically improved performance - the project that had colossal issues supporting its web traffic now handled thousands of requests per second coming from Call of Duty. The next CoD (WWII) in-game integration went without any issues and riding the wave of game’s popularity, GameBattles broke the records with more than ten million monthly played matches.

MLG

Activision Blizzard - MLG

Description

MLG is free to watch, ad-supported, premium video streaming platform built to showcase eSports, the fastest growing sport in the world. It is one of the fastest growing digital networks worldwide and the most recognized brand in eSports, pioneer of the competitive gaming industry.

Initial challenge

Major League Gaming was going through full brand and identity overhaul. Portal to MLG network content needed refreshment worthy of the global leader in the industry. On the other hand, MLG network had an outdated system of separate tools for curating content, covering necessary functionalities partially. Goal of this project was to gradually replace existing disparate improvised systems for managing, administrating and curating content. These systems often included or entirely depended on highly ineffective, inefficient and error-prone ways of manipulating data and conducting workflows. Additionally, along with workflows and functional requirements, these legacy systems had to be thoroughly evaluated to identify all critical areas and in turn formulate realistic transition strategy.

Work done

Gathered, analyzed and organized functional and non-functional requirements from rough data and analysis of existing legacy systems, into deliverables driven by business priorities
Envisioned design based on Angular Material style guide - elegant, straightforward and fluid user interface and experience
Refactored and fixed existing backend services
Designed and developed additional backend service layer to combat performance issues of legacy system
Iteratively developed modern Angular single page web application, which gradually took over legacy web apps for content curation and administration
Created end user facing Vue.js SPA with new design to support MLG’s new brand and identity
Created and designed new user facing IOS app
During entire project, development and management processes were analysed and gradually improved, as well as the client’s core team

Result

Our team created the new, performat and state-of-the-art website and IOS app incorporating new MLG brand. As a one of the leaders in esports industries, vast content of MLG Network was finally brought to end users via modern and well designed web and mobile apps. Along with portal web and mobile facelifting, MLG Network’s improvised content curation tools and workflows were gradually transformed to effective, reliable and performant content management platform. Different content stakeholders within MLG network got all necessary functionalities in one spot, provided through modern, elegant and user friendly web app.

CribRater

CribRater Inc.

Description

CribRater is mobile-oriented real-estate platform operating in NYC market. The trademark feature of the app is to directly connect landlords and users, who are looking for an apartment, while also providing a social component.

Initial challenge

We were appointed to the project in the role of a consultant to evaluate the state of the project and progress made. Our analysis showed, that the large extent of the project had to be reimplemented. Designs required improving, an iOS app and some critical areas like importers and a messaging system had to be reworked from scratch. We were asked to take over the execution of the work communicated in our assessment, so we became responsible for every facet of the project from a technical standpoint.

Work done

Iterated on and completed existing design
created a new native iOS app
improved and cleaned up existing PHP backend and added new features on top of it
rewritten critical backend parts like messaging and importers in Scala/Play/Akka
designed and implemented Angular landlord portal powered by needed API
created all necessary infrastructure on AWS
provided needed QA resources

Result

We took over the project that was on discouraging trajectory, reused existing technology where was pragmatically feasible, added tech improvements, and in a process created a top-notch application. The user-friendly app allowed customers to easily search the real-estate market, compare housing options and inquire. As for vendors, they get great visibility and promotion features. All of that was achieved with the budget and timeline constraints. During the process, our team leader was appointed as CTO of the company.