UX and UI in video games: accessible entertainment
Tags: ui, ux, uiuxdesign, webdev
Published: 2024-04-16 06:36:37



Video games are interactive experiences  where the user can take their own path and decide how to face the challenges and situations presented to them. Due to the high number of variables that affect the actions that can be performed, a good interface design and the correct implementation of the [UI UX design services](https://www.sparkouttech.com/ui-ux-development/) is essential , especially for new players who may not have as much experience as more veteran fans.

The work of the UX team begins in the first moments of the development of the title . Generally, a benchmark is made that lists the most widespread practices in similar video games. This allows us to know which trends are having the most success among players.

For example, the close button for a popup in mobile titles typically appears at the bottom, rather than in the top right corner where it is most commonly found. This is because this area of ​​the screen is more accessible than the upper area if the device is held with one hand. In video games that have fast gameplay where the user has to perform a high number of actions per minute, it is important to implement the interface in a way that does not pose a problem for the mechanics of the title.

Predictive actions

Since video games are not linear experiences, the possibilities for interaction are much higher than, for example, browsing a blog . Predictive actions emphasize the most common CTAs based on the activity the player just completed.

For example, if it is an online multiplayer game , at the end of a game the title normally presents a screen with the most relevant statistics and a dedicated button to automatically search for another room to continue playing, without having to return to the main menu. It is also common to find buttons dedicated to sending friend requests to users who have also played the game.

Since searching for another room or interacting with teammates are the actions most performed after finishing a game, the UI favors these actions, predicting that there is a high probability that the user will want to perform them .

Spatial context
Our brain forms semantic connections guided by the physical space between two elements. For example, if we see a danger sign next to a high voltage tower, we will instantly understand that the danger refers to that tower.

The same thing happens in video games. The interface must help the user when it comes to knowing what actions they can take and how to take them . When a user creates a private server to play with friends, before the start of the game it is common for the video game to display a screen with the game's preset settings.

A poor UX implementation would force the user to recreate the server to choose the correct settings. However, an intuitive design would add a settings button on that same screen in case the player wants to change the game parameters without having to perform unnecessary actions.

Gameplay
Video games are extremely immersive experiences, where many times the mere act of navigating through the menus or the way in which information is presented to the user are part of the narrative of the title.

The usefulness of UX lies not only in offering information to the user in the clearest way possible, but also in capturing attention and keeping the player immersed in the experience for as long as possible .

To achieve this, you can implement progress bars, markers to highlight the next objectives or text messages that challenge the player to achieve the next reward.

The way in which written information is presented in a video game is crucial, and is often adapted to convey the same sensations as the action on the screen. In a driving game, for example, the texts that appear during a race may be somewhat out of focus and distorted to convey a sensation of speed.

Its relevance can be so great that many messages or advertisements have transcended the video game to become authentic symbols of internet culture.

The developer FromSoftware launched its video game Demon's Souls on the market in 2009, known for its extremely high difficulty. Every time the user failed, the screen turned black and the well-known message “ YOU DIED” appeared. This notice would appear in its following titles without any modification. Today, it is well known among the gamer community and countless memes have been created with it.

The way the message slowly appeared on the screen, accompanied by a characteristic sound, not only informed that the user had failed to complete their mission, but also acted as a painful reminder that the player viewed over and over again. It contributed to the feeling of desperation and loneliness that the video game was trying to convey. One more element of the gameplay .

In 2004, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare , the next installment of the well-known franchise, was released . In this title, the game asked the user to press the “F” key to pay respects for the death of a companion.

The phrase “ Press F to Pay Respects ” has ended up becoming one of the most recurring expressions on the internet, and it is not at all difficult to find comments with a simple “F” on social networks or live broadcast chats. Today, almost 10 years later, it is part of the usual vocabulary of the online world, and many people do not even know that the origin of the expression was a CTA present in a video game.

Praising emotions with UX
With the exception of some genres such as sports, competitive or driving, video games seek to connect with the player in an emotional way while presenting the plot of their story. It is one of the most immersive entertainment media that exists, and often seeks to create an emotional connection with the player .

A good implementation of UX and UI can evoke sensations and emotions in the user, making these fields a very important section in the development of a video game.

Reward messages when receiving an object, how the information is presented in the menus, tone, interface colors, etc. All of these decisions can drastically affect the setting that the creators intend to give to the video game. They psychologically influence the player's perception, and those responsible for UX and UI must work closely with scriptwriters and developers to establish a clear image of the story and emotions they want to convey .

Conclusions

[UI UX design services ](https://www.sparkouttech.com/ui-ux-development/)are elements of vital importance in the video game industry. It is a medium focused on immersive narrative, where the importance of implementing information lies in not only helping the user, but also facilitating the development of the story that is being told .