Let’s Go Retro 💾
A Just Play Retrospective
Following the release of our brand new, state-of-the-art-primo-10/10 new app, we thought we might take a look back over the evolution of Just Play.
Buckle in for a blast from the past and some interesting design choices!
☀️ 2013
The earliest screenshots I could find are from October 2013. Unfortunately it’s not a complete snapshot of the web page but this should give you an idea about Just Plays vibe in its infancy.
This is a nice first website, basic sure, but we were a 1 man operation at this point and had about $10 - a solid 5/10.
☀️ 2014
The next update I can find is from late 2014.
An early simple logo in our flagship colour but overall this is one of my favourites, it’s clean, punchy and succinct, good layout. I like the colour scheme also - 8/10
☀️ 2016
Welcome to 2016!
Here we have a new logo, I believe we kept this one for a while and it still has cameos and there today. You can see we added new sports in this update which is a good indication of the growth we were going through. The ball icons are cute, and we still use similar ones today, but I like 2014 better! 7/10
It looks like this layout didn’t hang around, because in early 2017 we have:
☀️ 2017
A couple of interesting developments here!
Firstly we’ve introduced single games, which would later become One Game and we have available leagues on the Just Play landing page. You can also we have a chat support window for customer service inquiries. Just Play veterans will remember that prior to this, you’d just have to text our co-founder Dave for help, which sadly, you cannot do any longer.
We’ve also got links to our blog, so we’re starting to really connect with our community at this point. While I don’t mind the new design here, I think the coolest thing about this snapshot, is how much development it shows in the Just Play team - 8/10
☀️ 2018
In 2018 we have the precursor to the current JP website:
I really like the right hand side especially, we still use a similar motif today. It’s much more slick than early iterations. Interesting choice with the green, as we all know that blue is Just Play’s Hero colour, but I personally like it. We have a great picture of some Just Play players. We clearly thought we were close to our true vision for Just Play, you’ll see why in the next capture - 9/10
☀️ 2019
Finally in 2019 we get to Just Play as we know it.
Here comes Just Play Blue, and large array of available sports! You’ll also notice we sprang for a beautiful photoshoot, and we still use those images now in our league listings. It’s clean, it’s intuitive, it’s Just Play baby - 10/10
The Apps
Then, also in 2019, we finally get the Just Play and One Game Apps!
This would be what you’re likely most familiar with. Here we’ve got some great colour schemes, and more intuitive design than ever. It made RSVPing for your game, and booking single games super easy! - 7.5/10
And we sat on all that for a few years and in 2021 started development on our brand new app.
☀️ 2022
We’ve harped on and on about our new app by this point, so I’ll just let these screenshots speak for themselves - 10/10
