From e-commerce to social ecosystems: Hardy World Studios on building for the mobile-first frontier

Khaleem Solomon, the founder of Hardy World Studios, discusses how culturally grounded design and low-code accessibility are reshaping player retention across both VR and mobile platforms. Solomon’s background as a graphic designer and web builder has significantly influenced his approach to game design, particularly in the realm of social gaming.

The Journey into Game Development

Khaleem Solomon did not follow the traditional path into the games industry. A former graphic designer who specialized in Shopify storefronts, he taught himself the tools of Meta Horizon from scratch in late 2021. Since then, he has turned a personal curiosity into a sustainable business, with his flagship title, Spades, surpassing 500,000 lifetime visits. Now operating under the banner of Hardy World Studios, Solomon is focused on bridging the gap between immersive headsets and the mobile market.

Player Onboarding and Retention

In an interview, Solomon shared insights on how his experience in e-commerce has shaped his approach to player onboarding and retention in social gaming. He emphasized the importance of making the next step in gameplay obvious and painless. “I obsess over the first five minutes: remove friction, give a familiar quick win, then use that moment to introduce social hooks,” he explained. This approach is designed to create an ecosystem rather than focusing on a single conversion point.

Challenges in the Gaming Industry

Solomon noted that traditional mobile studios often prioritize spectacle over meaningful social interactions. He expressed concern that legacy industry standards can hinder developers from reaching a wider, more diverse audience. “Big teams, long pipelines, and an obsession with technical polish create products that look incredible, but often assume players have hours to spare,” he said. This focus on high-end graphics and complex systems can alienate casual players who may not have the time or resources to engage with such games.

Designing for Accessibility

To address these challenges, Solomon advocates for lowering creation and access barriers. He believes that games should be designed for short, meaningful interactions, with cultural specificity baked into the core experience. “Better creator tools, broader playtesting pools, mobile-first and one-handed interaction patterns, and business models that reward trust and return visits are essential,” he stated. By doing so, developers can open the market to individuals who may not fit the old templates.

Learning from XR Design

When asked what traditional mobile studios could learn from XR designers, Solomon emphasized the importance of designing for shared attention rather than isolated actions. “In VR, you learn fast that presence comes from small, physical moments where people orient to the same thing at the same time,” he explained. For mobile social games, this means surfacing social behavior as part of the playfield rather than hiding it behind layers of menus.

The Role of Low-Code Environments

Solomon also discussed the significance of low-code environments in making game development more accessible. He believes that making tools approachable can turn curiosity into practice. “Low-code environments cut the technical friction that keeps cultural makers out, so creators who understand people, music, and place can shape worlds without a CS degree,” he stated. However, he cautioned that simply lowering the barrier is not enough; platforms must also provide mentorship, clear monetization options, and support for cross-platform outputs.

UX Hurdles in Mobile Social Worlds

For publishers looking to bridge the gap between VR and mobile, Solomon identified several UX hurdles in making a 3D social world feel ‘native’ on a smartphone. These include rethinking locomotion, camera angles, and presence signals to accommodate mobile users. “Mobile removes body language and depth, so we need to ensure that players can join or leave instantly while still protecting cultural details within mobile performance limits,” he explained.

Conclusion

Khaleem Solomon’s insights shed light on the evolving landscape of social gaming, particularly in the context of mobile-first design. By focusing on accessibility, cultural representation, and meaningful social interactions, developers can create engaging experiences that resonate with a broader audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: The insights shared in this article reflect the views of Khaleem Solomon and highlight the evolving nature of the gaming industry.