Navigating the Game World: The Influence of HUDs in Video Games
Today, let's dive into the intriguing intersection of Game Design and User Interface (UI) to explore how elements like health bars and stamina meters can profoundly impact the way we play.
While UI encompasses a vast array of elements such as online lobbies, inventory screens, and crafting menus, we'll focus our attention on one specific UI component: the heads-up display, or HUD. This is the information presented on the screen while you're right in the middle of the gaming action. The key question that emerges here is: what's the purpose of the HUD, and how does it benefit players?
The answer can be categorized into two distinct parts: Gauges and Previews.
Gauges
When we think of HUDs, gauges are often the first things that come to mind. They're all about taking information that would typically be hidden within the game's code and bringing it to the surface for players. For example, a character's health is usually a number buried in the game's programming, but a health bar makes it instantly visible.
Similarly, gauges can include AI behavior indicators, like view cones, movement ranges, and attack indicators. These visual aids help players understand the current state of the game world, empowering them to make informed decisions and plans. Card battle games are a perfect example of this, where opponent cards provide hints about their next moves, enabling players to strategize and create satisfying synergistic tactics.
Previews
On the other hand, previews offer players insights into the potential consequences of their actions. They show what will happen if a specific button is pressed or an action is taken. This can range from simple pop-up button icons for contextual actions to more intricate indicators, like the trajectory of a grenade throw or the range of a grapple point. Previews help players act with confidence, ensuring they're not blindly committing to actions.
While both gauges and previews are powerful tools for delivering information to players, the question arises: why don't games reveal all available information?
The answer lies in the concept of "Cognitive load." This refers to the limited capacity of the human brain to process information in working memory. Overloading the screen with excessive UI elements can make the game overwhelming and mentally taxing. Therefore, reducing unnecessary or repetitive UI elements can simplify the gaming experience. However, UI elements that provide critical information, like an ammo counter, can actually reduce cognitive load by eliminating the need to remember details during the excitement of gameplay.
To strike a balance, designers employ techniques like visual hierarchy, using font weight, color, scale, position, and motion to make certain elements stand out more than others. Additionally, not all UI elements need to be displayed at all times. Games like "Ghost of Tsushima" only show the health bar when the player unsheathes their sword, as it's only relevant during combat.
Another reason for minimizing the HUD is the desire to enhance the game's cinematic and immersive qualities. By cleverly integrating information into the game world, designers can maintain the integrity of the 3D visuals. Moreover, intentionally withholding certain information can add to the game's challenge and atmosphere. In "The Last of Us Part II," for instance, enemies communicate their intentions through whistles that players can't decipher, making encounters more intense and unsettling due to the lack of information.
Furthermore, UI can be linked to game difficulty or assist modes. For instance, racing games often provide an optimum racing line on easy mode but require players to navigate without assistance on higher difficulties. This demonstrates how UI can impact gameplay and the gaming experience as a whole.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the power of video game HUDs is undeniable. They serve as a bridge between the player and the game world, offering critical information and previews that shape our gaming experience. When used effectively, UI elements like gauges and previews can support and advance the goals of game design. They can simplify complex systems, immerse players in rich narratives, and even influence the game's difficulty.
Understanding the impact of HUDs allows game designers to create more engaging, immersive, and enjoyable experiences for players. So next time you're engrossed in a game, take a moment to appreciate the intricate dance of information happening right before your eyes on the heads-up display.