Level Up.pdf

T
LeveI 8
Sign Language — HUD and
Icon Design
Picture, if you will, another dimension balanced between game and the real;
a dimension of sight and sound, a realm of things and ideas. No, it isn ’ t the
Twilight Zone, but the zone known as the HUD.
Named after the heads - up display found in modern aircraft, the HUD is the
most effective way of communicating with the player. The HUD refers to any
visual element that communicates information to the player. The mini ­
screens and icons found in a HUD are some of the best tools in a video
game designer ’ s bag of tricks. They can communicate information, emotion,
even tell the player where to go and what to do. Let ’ s look at some of the
HUD elements found on an average game screen: