Game Development Essentials An Introduction

Game Development Essentials An Introduction

Chapter 8Interface

creating the connection

Key Chapter Questions■ How do game interfaces relate to player-centered

design?

■ What are the components of game interfaces?

■ What is the difference between a manual and visual interface?

■ What is the difference between a passive and an active interface?

■ Why is usability important in game interface design?

Player-Centered Design

What’s wrong with this picture?

Interface & Game Features

• Gameplay• Story• Character• Audio• World• Platform• Genre

Interface TypesManual (Physical)

Bass Fishing Samba di Amigo Dance Dance Revolution

Interface TypesVisualActive

Puzzle Pirates(radial/pie menu)

I Was an Atomic Mutant(main menu)

Interface TypesVisualPassive

True Crime: Streets of LA(HUD = heads-up display)

Interface TypesVisualStyles

Split-Screen(Adventures of Fatman)

Whole Screen(Myst III: Exile)

Invisible(Black & White:

Creature Isle)

Visual Interface ComponentsScore

Cyclone Super Collapse

Visual Interface ComponentsLives & Power

Super Mario Sunshine(Lives)

Tour de France(Power)

Visual Interface ComponentsMap

Age of Empires II:The Age of Kings

Age of Mythology: The Titans

Visual Interface ComponentsCharacter

Character creation & management and character inventory interfaces from The Temple of Elemental Evil

Visual Interface ComponentsStart Screen

Crazy Bunker

UsabilityDysfunctional Interfaces

• Cryptic• Complex• Simplistic• Inconsistent• Inefficient• Cluttered

UsabilityAccessibility

• Visual• Audio• Motor• Speech• Cognitive

Saving the Game

• Quick-save• Auto-save• Save to slot (or file)• “Save-game” debate

Guidelines for a Great Interface• Be consistent• Enable shortcuts• Provide feedback• Offer defined tasks• Permit easy reversal of actions• Allow for player control• Keep it simple• Make it customizable• Include a context-sensitive pointer• Implement different modes• Use established conventions

Summary

• Player-centered design• Interface & game features• Manual vs. visual interfaces• Active vs. passive interfaces• Visual interface components • Usability & accessibility• Saving the game• Guidelines for a great interface