Podcast
Questions and Answers
How did the importance of scoring in video games change from the 1980s to the evolution of home gaming?
How did the importance of scoring in video games change from the 1980s to the evolution of home gaming?
Scoring became less important in home gaming, as the percentage of game completion gained significance instead.
What are some key elements to enhance the feeling of reward in video games?
What are some key elements to enhance the feeling of reward in video games?
Key elements include using sound effects, freezing gameplay, and adding visual particle effects to celebrate achievements.
What features can modern maps offer to enhance gameplay experience for players?
What features can modern maps offer to enhance gameplay experience for players?
Modern maps can include markers for objectives, distance-to-goal counters, and dynamic orientation to show the player's current direction.
Describe what a context-sensitive prompt is in video games.
Describe what a context-sensitive prompt is in video games.
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to allow players to view maps while moving in games?
Why is it important to allow players to view maps while moving in games?
Signup and view all the answers
What effects should be used when a player receives an achievement to ensure it feels rewarding?
What effects should be used when a player receives an achievement to ensure it feels rewarding?
Signup and view all the answers
How can context-sensitive prompts assist players in navigating the game mechanics?
How can context-sensitive prompts assist players in navigating the game mechanics?
Signup and view all the answers
What does HUD stand for and what is its primary purpose in video games?
What does HUD stand for and what is its primary purpose in video games?
Signup and view all the answers
How does a health bar typically indicate a player's remaining vitality?
How does a health bar typically indicate a player's remaining vitality?
Signup and view all the answers
What visual cues can enhance the targeting reticule's effectiveness during gameplay?
What visual cues can enhance the targeting reticule's effectiveness during gameplay?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the ammunition gauge considered one of the most important HUD elements?
Why is the ammunition gauge considered one of the most important HUD elements?
Signup and view all the answers
What features should be included in an inventory system for RPGs and adventure games?
What features should be included in an inventory system for RPGs and adventure games?
Signup and view all the answers
In what ways can damage be visually represented to players apart from the health bar?
In what ways can damage be visually represented to players apart from the health bar?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of a context-sensitive prompt in a HUD?
What is the significance of a context-sensitive prompt in a HUD?
Signup and view all the answers
How should developers manage the visibility of HUD elements on various backgrounds?
How should developers manage the visibility of HUD elements on various backgrounds?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Game Design - HUD and Icon Design
- A Heads-Up Display (HUD) is a visual screen overlay that communicates information to the player in modern aircraft and video games.
- HUDs are the most effective way of communicating with players.
- HUD elements commonly found on game screens include health bars/lives, targeting reticules, ammunition gauges, inventory, score/experience, radar/maps, and context-sensitive prompts.
Health Bar
- Health bars represent how close players are to death or restarting the game.
- Many health bars are filled with color or icons.
- As damage is taken, a percentage of the bar is lost, or the color empties.
- When the bar is gone, the player dies, or alternatively, a damage bar exists with similar results with a full "damage bar" signifying death.
Targeting Reticule
- Targeting reticules help players locate and lock onto ranged targets.
- Reticules should not be too big or small to see, and may be rendered in white, which can make them hard to see on some surfaces and backgrounds.
- The reticule should change color or sharpen focus when over a target to give players a clue when to fire.
Ammo Gauge
- Ammo gauges, whether displaying bullets or numbers, are some of the most watched gauges on the screen.
- If possible, display both clips and individual bullets to provide additional information to the user.
- For multiple ammo types (e.g. grenades, rockets), the items should have a way to quickly access them (e.g. button press).
Inventory
- Inventory is essential in adventure and RPG games.
- It allows players to track and manage collected objects and items.
- Players often use hotkeys and drag-and-drop systems for fast item acquisition.
- If an inventory has many items, allowing sorting by type, name, rarity, or other criteria is helpful.
Score
- Early video games focused on single-digit scores, but during the arcade boom of the early 1980s, high scores became a significant focus.
- As home markets expanded, percentage completion and other metrics became even more important.
- Increased online gaming popularity led to leaderboards and a return to combining scores with combo meters, stats, and achievements.
Positive Messaging
- Positive messages (like "Finish Him!" or "Fatality!") in games, like Mortal Kombat, serve as a reward system.
- These messages, whether text or voice, are as rewarding as seeing high scores.
- Positive messages should be visually significant (e.g., big and flashy).
Context-Sensitive Prompts
- Context-sensitive prompts (icons or text) appear when interacting with objects or characters.
- Prompts will often show when doors, gates, or hatches are locked or unlocked, indicating the required controls for operation (like cranks, levers, or push-able objects).
- Prompts can also be used for quick-time events.
Radar/Map
- Map screens provide considerable detail in games, from revealing secret clues to giving players insight into the playfield.
- It's important for players to swiftly navigate the map and move to targets without excessive UI interactions, using markers to indicate specific locations.
- Maps should show the player's direction and allow them to view the map's direction.
- Maps can aid by giving additional information to the player like distance to goals, points of interest, or enemy locations.
Other UI Elements
- Game User Interfaces (UI) involve many considerations.
- Various UI elements, including the main menu, pause menu, icons, screen sizes, and more, need careful design considerations, especially when targeting phones.
- User Interface design often requires principles from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Experience (UX) courses.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the essential components of Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) in game design, focusing on elements like health bars and targeting reticules. This quiz will test your understanding of how these interfaces communicate vital information to players. Learn about the importance of visual cues and their impact on gameplay.
