The Power of Video Game HUDs

Summary

This video explores the critical role of user interface (UI) in game design, specifically focusing on heads-up displays (HUDs). It breaks down the two main types of HUD elements: gauges and previews, showing how they impact player decisions and gameplay experience. Through case studies from games like 'Slay the Spire,' 'Shovel Knight,' and 'The Last of Us Part II,' the video examines how well-designed UI can reduce cognitive load, enhance immersion, and even influence game difficulty. The video also discusses how UI can shape game mechanics, urging developers to consider UI alongside overall game design.

Takeaways

• 😀 The user interface (UI) in video game development is often a last-minute addition but plays a crucial role in shaping the player's experience.
• 😀 UI elements like health bars, stamina meters, and mini-maps serve to convey hidden game information and allow players to make strategic decisions.
• 😀 The HUD (heads-up display) can be broken down into two main types: gauges (for tracking the current state of the game) and previews (for showing what will happen based on player actions).
• 😀 The addition of preview elements, like indicators in 'Slay the Spire', helps players make smarter decisions and strategize better.
• 😀 Previews allow players to confidently plan their actions, such as knowing the trajectory of a grenade throw in shooters or the path of a unit in 'XCOM'.
• 😀 Reducing cognitive load is key in UI design – too much information on screen can overwhelm players, making the game harder to process.
• 😀 Good UI design utilizes visual hierarchy (e.g., font size, color, motion) to highlight the most important information for players.
• 😀 UI can be used to change the difficulty of a game, such as showing an optimal racing line in lower difficulties, but removing it in higher ones.
• 😀 Diegetic UI elements (e.g., health bars integrated into the world) increase immersion by seamlessly integrating UI into the game world.
• 😀 The design of UI elements, such as health bars and ammo counters, can influence the game’s mechanics and affect the player's experience and behavior.
• 😀 UI design should be considered alongside game mechanics, not as an afterthought, since poor UI can negatively impact the clarity and success of gameplay.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video script?

The main focus of the video is the role and importance of user interfaces (UI) in game design, particularly how heads-up displays (HUDs), gauges, and previews impact the player's experience and gameplay decisions.

Why was the HUD design of 'The Last of Us' developed late in production?

'The Last of Us' had only eight months left before completion, and while some UI elements were roughed out, a final design for the HUD had not been established, showing how the UI can sometimes be developed at the last minute in game design.

What are the two distinct categories of UI elements discussed in the video?

The two distinct categories of UI elements discussed are 'gauges' and 'previews'. Gauges provide real-time or future game state information, like health bars or ammo counters, while previews show the consequences of actions a player might take, such as visual cues for movement or attacks.

How does 'Slay the Spire' demonstrate the importance of HUD indicators?

In 'Slay the Spire', early development lacked indicators for enemy actions, making gameplay feel random. Adding indicators showing enemies' planned moves allowed players to make smarter decisions, turning the game into a more strategic and engaging experience.

What are previews in the context of UI design?

Previews are UI elements that show players the potential outcomes of their actions before they commit to them. Examples include pop-up button prompts, trajectory indicators for projectiles, or targeting reticules in action games.

Why do games not show every piece of information available in the UI?

Games avoid overwhelming players with too much information to prevent cognitive load, which refers to the limited capacity of the human brain to process information. Reducing unnecessary UI elements ensures players can focus on relevant details and make informed decisions.

What is 'cognitive load' and how does it relate to UI design?

Cognitive load refers to the mental effort required to process information. In UI design, minimizing cognitive load involves simplifying the display by removing extraneous information and using clear visual hierarchy to prioritize important details.

How can visual hierarchy be used in UI design?

Visual hierarchy uses design elements like font size, color, and motion to prioritize information on the screen, ensuring that players can easily identify and focus on the most important elements, thus improving clarity and usability.

What is a diegetic HUD, and how is it used in games like 'Dead Space' and 'Metroid Prime'?

A diegetic HUD integrates UI elements into the game world, making them part of the environment rather than floating on the screen. In 'Dead Space', health and ammo are displayed on the character’s suit, while 'Metroid Prime' uses Samus’s helmet visor to show game information, enhancing immersion.

How can UI design influence a game's difficulty, according to the script?

UI design can influence difficulty by controlling how much information is presented. For example, racing games may show an optimal racing line in easier modes, but remove it in higher difficulty settings, forcing players to rely more on skill and less on HUD cues.