Navigating Phishy Waters: Mochi Cat Collection

In the charming world of Mochi Cat Collection, players manage a cozy space filled with adorable mochi cats and delightful collectibles. But behind the cuteness, an in-game shop notification was causing a serious UX issue: players were confused and some were concerned about security.

The message was vague, jarring, and borderline suspicious, which raised fears of phishing or a broken payment system. My goal was to redesign the notification with empathy, clarity, and trust in mind, transforming a moment of confusion into a moment of calm and confidence.

Player Anxiety Over Phishing: The original message resembled a scam warning, triggering fear and hesitation.

Erosion of Trust: Players weren’t sure if their purchases were secure, which could hurt both experience and revenue.

1. Trust-Centered UX Strategy

Before writing a single word, I asked:

“What would a player feel at this moment and how do we help them feel safe again?”

I treated this as a trust recovery moment, not just an error message. That shifted the entire tone and structure.

2. Empathetic Copy That De-escalates

Instead of robotic or technical jargon, I rewrote the notification in a calm, helpful, and friendly tone. I used reassurance up front, framed the issue as temporary, and avoided anything that sounded like blame.

3. Actionable Options = Player Control

Adding clear, low-friction CTAs (“Retry,” “Contact Support”) helped players feel empowered, not helpless.

When players are confused, control = confidence.

4. Tone Matching for Brand Consistency

Even in error states, the language still sounded like Mochi Cat:

Soft, gentle

Friendly, not forceful

Lightly playful, without being flippant

Even as a passion project, this project reflects real-world outcomes based on UX best practices:

Player Trust: Copy that reassures, not alarms

Early Abandonment: Fewer shop exits and uninstalls triggered by unclear errors

Confidence to Spend: Players feel safe exploring IAPs without fear of being scammed

Small words can have big emotional weight, especially when money’s involved. This project shows how strategic UX writing can:

Protect player trust

Prevent churn

Support monetization by reducing fear

As a writer and strategist, I don’t just fix the text. I fix the feeling behind the tap.