Canvas Idea

To develop an AR module with interactive masks and games for the Unitea app to increase user engagement and retention.

Canvas Challenge

The core problem is the "War for Attention." Modern social apps fight for every second of user time, and standard features are no longer enough. The challenge was to create a "sticky" feature that would make communication in Unitea more fun, interactive, and unique, thereby increasing session times and user loyalty.

Stroke Solution

The key decision—the "one precise stroke"—was the development of a "Viral Gaming Engine," an AR module that combined two mechanics: 1) AR masks as a trigger for communication, encouraging users to create and share content. 2) Mini-games as a reason to return, leveraging competition to drive repeat usage.

Value Metrics

• Increased Engagement: The average session time per user grew as the AR features created a new use case beyond simple messaging.
• Improved Retention: The competitive element of the mini-games became a compelling reason for users to return to the app daily.
• Stimulated Virality: The interactive AR masks prompted users to create unique and funny content, which they eagerly shared outside the app, organically attracting a new audience.

Tech Stack

• 3D Engine: Unity 2023.x with C# scripting
• AR SDK: Specialized Face Tracking SDK (e.g., Banuba, DeepAR) for high-quality masks
• Backend: Node.js with Express.js for an asset management API
• Cloud Storage: AWS S3 / Google Cloud Storage for hosting AR assets (masks, textures)
• Database: MongoDB / PostgreSQL for asset metadata
• Content Delivery: CDN (e.g., Amazon CloudFront) for fast global asset delivery

“We used to just send photos back and forth. Now, we can spend half an hour cracking up, competing in an AR game to see who can catch more donuts. Unitea stopped being just a messenger; it's now our spot to fool around and have fun.”— Katya, 22, active Unitea user