Project Details

Year: 2021

SBK Official Mobile Game is the official licensed game of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), developed for Android and iOS platforms.

The game features the full 2020 and 2021 season rosters, including official bikes, teams, and riders, allowing players to experience the thrill of superbike racing on their mobile devices.

Designed as a free-to-play experience, the game introduces strategic depth through bike maintenance and performance management:
players must take care of their motorcycle after each event, repairing damage and performing regular servicing to ensure optimal performance.

Key Features

• Officially licensed WorldSBK content (2020 and 2021 seasons)
• Real-world teams, bikes, and riders across multiple championship tracks
• Realistic bike performance system affected by damage and wear
• Maintenance and upgrade mechanics integrated into the core gameplay loop
• Intuitive mobile controls with optional tilt-based steering
• Fully 3D graphics optimized for a wide range of mobile devices

Development Contributions

My role in the project focused on key gameplay and system components that shaped the user experience and long-term engagement:

Customizable Control Schemes

I designed and implemented multiple control configurations, allowing players to choose the driving model that best suited their playstyle.
The goal was to maximize both accessibility and fun, offering options ranging from tilt-based steering to on-screen buttons and hybrid modes.

AI Tuning with Reinforcement Learning

I worked on developing a scalable and semi-automated process for tuning AI behaviors across different tracks and bike models.
To do so, I adapted a reinforcement learning framework originally built for car AI in Assetto Corsa Mobile, customizing it for the unique handling and dynamics of motorcycles.
This system helped designers iterate more effectively, generating competitive yet fair AI opponents with minimal manual tweaking.

In-App Purchase System & Platform Integration

I implemented the full in-app purchase flow, including:

• Store integration (Google Play & App Store)
• Purchase validation and error handling
• Dynamic item availability and offer management
• Real-time user profile updates to ensure consistency and persistence across sessions and devices

These components ensured a smooth monetization experience while maintaining user trust and data integrity.

Lessons Learned

Balancing Monetization and Player Engagement

One of the key takeaways from working on SBK Official Mobile Game was understanding the complexity of designing an effective free-to-play business model.

Building a game that both monetizes successfully and remains engaging and respectful to players is a constant balancing act.
It requires careful attention to:

• Progression pacing, ensuring the game feels rewarding even without spending money
• Fairness, so that paid advantages don't alienate free users
• Ad frequency and placement, to avoid interrupting gameplay or creating frustration

This experience taught me how crucial it is to approach monetization as part of the overall player experience, rather than as an external system.
When done right, it can enhance long-term engagement without compromising fun or fairness.