Game user interface design often determines whether someone wants to continue playing the game or not. Aside from being visually appealing, the UI must also be functional, so players can focus on the game without being distracted by superfluous UI elements.
According to game engine developer Unity, the UI must strike a balance between challenging players as they hone their skills using effective design principles. In this regard, video game UI design considerations differ from website or mobile app UI design. Let’s learn more about game UI design in this article below.
Key Takeaways:
Unlike website or mobile app interfaces, game UI requires a slightly different approach. Every great game UI design relies on these key elements.
The HUD represents the player’s constant information companion throughout gameplay. According to AND Academy, HUDs display crucial, unobtrusive player status, including health, ammunition, objectives, and maps. Modern HUDs provide essential data without overwhelming players or disrupting visual flow.
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Game UI designers prioritize smooth, accessible, and intuitive navigation when designing menus to minimize user frustration. Navigation systems must support rapid decision-making while organizing complex information hierarchically.
Buttons create the physical bridge between players and game worlds. Controls require visual feedback, like color changes, to confirm successful actions while maintaining a responsive feel. Controls can be customized to match player preferences, improving overall gaming experiences.
Icons and visual cues represent actions, items, or game mechanics while negating lengthy text explanations. These elements communicate information visually, enhancing player interactions without breaking immersion. Examples include health hearts, objective markers, enemy alerts, and cooldown timers.
The following principles will help you design a game UI that looks good and enhances the player experience.
Clarity and simplicity are fundamental because uncluttered interfaces reduce cognitive load. Here, the “less is more” philosophy proves particularly valuable in game design.
Consistency in game UI design involves uniform visual styles, terminology, layouts, HUD elements, animation styles, and interaction patterns. Maintaining uniform colors, fonts, and layouts throughout games avoids confusing players.
UI should provide immediate feedback for player actions through visual confirmation, like color changes or animations. Include elements like button press animations, sound effects, loading indicators, real-time HUD updates, and error notifications.
Design games for all players, including those with disabilities, using high-contrast colors, scalable text, and customizable elements. Through customizable options and alternative input methods, designers can create interfaces that enable universal game access.
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These tips will help you create a game UI that keeps players immersed and frustration-free.
Display only crucial information during gameplay moments. UI should communicate content like health and loadouts without wasting viewer time. Strategic information hierarchy ensures players access critical details precisely when needed.
Arrange elements like size, color, and spacing to help players better visualize the game’s UI when playing. Visual hierarchy guides players’ eyes toward the most important information at any moment and creates an intuitive information flow.
Consider platform-specific limitations and capabilities. Designing games for smartphones differs significantly from console or computer design. Touch interfaces require different approaches than controller-based systems.
Regular testing with target users provides vital insights into preferences, highlighting what works. User feedback identifies confusion areas and optimization opportunities for improved experiences.
Ensure UI doesn’t impact game performance by using lightweight assets and optimizing rendering. Technical optimization maintains seamless player experiences without compromising visual quality.
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Let’s look at seven successful video game UI design examples that showcase how thoughtful interfaces can elevate the player experience.
Dead Space exemplifies diegetic UI design through health bars integrated into character suits and inventory displays. This design keeps players immersed in the story while delivering key information naturally.
Persona 5 is often called one of the most stylish games, with bold colors and comic-inspired visuals. The entire menu system looks like calling cards that the Phantom Thieves leave for their victims. Furthermore, every interface element reinforces the game’s unique artistic vision.
Breath of the Wild allows players to turn off most HUD elements, using in-universe cues for information. This choice makes gameplay harder but delivers a more immersive and natural experience.
Kingdom Hearts UI represents one of the cleanest and most readable setups in gaming. With consistent shapes, colors, and smooth menu flow, navigation feels effortless, and this consistency holds across multiple games in the series.
Hearthstone demonstrates exceptional digital card game UI design through intuitive drag-and-drop mechanics. The interface successfully translates physical card game concepts into digital interactions, and clear visual feedback enhances player understanding.
Metroid Prime may have pioneered great diegetic UI in modern video games. In the game, Samus’s high-tech suit has stats and readouts, including a mini-map and objective markers. Because you have context of Samus’ helmet projecting helpful information, none is invasive.
Cuphead has been lauded for its art direction, knowing exactly what it wants to be. All HUD elements and menus share the 1930s animation style. Art direction is also strong and consistent throughout without breaking immersion.
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A strong game user interface design keeps players engaged through clarity, consistency, and style. From simplicity to accessibility, every design principle matters in shaping the player experience.
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