Top Up

We launched Top Up, a slot-style add-on game designed to enhance the retail Instant Scratch ticket experience. For just an additional dollar, players could opt into a quick, engaging game triggered at the point of sale. If the player lands three Top Up symbols in a row on the display screen, they win the jackpot—adding excitement and value to their retail visit.

Role: Sr. Product Designer

Tools: Illustrator, Photoshop, XD

Problem

Retail lottery experiences are often transactional and lack opportunities for spontaneous engagement. Instant Scratch tickets offer quick gratification, but there was no mechanism to extend or amplify that excitement. We needed a way to add value, increase play frequency, and create a moment of entertainment at the terminal.

Problem Statement - How Might We...

How might we create a simple, engaging add-on game that enhances the Instant Scratch ticket experience, increases player excitement, and fits seamlessly into the retail transaction flow?

Exploration

We explored:

Retail flow mapping to understand how players and retailers interact during ticket purchases.
Player psychology around impulse play and visual feedback.
Slot machine mechanics to design a game that’s familiar, fast, and exciting.
Retail terminal capabilities for triggering animations and handling add-on logic.

Key insights:

Players are open to small add-ons if the value is clear and the experience is fun.
Retailers need a simple, fast interaction to avoid disrupting the flow.
Slot-style visuals are universally understood and engaging.

Feasibility

Collaborated with:

Retail operations to ensure terminal UI could support the Top Up prompt and animation trigger.
Game development to build the slot-style logic and jackpot mechanics.
Legal & compliance to validate the add-on pricing and prize structure.
CX & training teams to prepare retailers for the new interaction.

Validated feasibility through:

Terminal simulation testing
Retailer feedback sessions
Compliance and payout modeling

Solution

We designed:

A retail-triggered slot-style game activated by the retailer after a player opts in.
A simple prompt: “Would you like to Top Up for $1?”
Display screen animations showing spinning reels and Top Up symbols.
Winning logic: 3 Top Up symbols = jackpot win.
Clear visual feedback for both win and loss outcomes.

Design features:

Bold, playful branding to differentiate Top Up from traditional lottery games.
Fast animation cycle to keep the retail flow moving.
Retailer-friendly UI with a single confirmation button.

Impact

High opt-in rate among Instant Scratch ticket buyers.
Increased average transaction value at retail terminals.
Positive feedback from players who enjoyed the added excitement.
Improved retailer engagement, with minimal disruption to workflow.

Takeaways

Micro-interactions can significantly enhance retail experiences.
Familiar game mechanics like slots are effective in quick-play environments.
Retail simplicity is key—one extra step must feel effortless.
Designing for both players and retailers ensures adoption and success.