Will an integrated software interface work better for your game than a simple overlay style one? Why/why not?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

An integrated software interface might include interface elements that are embedded in the game world. A great example of this interface style is in Dead Space—in which interface elements are incorporated into the player character’s gear and in objects with which the character interacts. Other interface styles might include separating these elements from the playfield – either by being arranged on the game screen (usually on the periphery) or through an overlay (sometimes referred to as a heads-up display or HUD), which further allows players to focus specifically on interface-related tasks. It’s possible to combine both of these latter styles when needed into a multi-layered interface – which is particularly common in games played on devices with limited screen real estate (e.g., smartphones, tablets, handhelds). In this case, a window might pop up (obscuring all or most of the screen) after triggering an action or clicking on an item. This allows the player to focus on the task at hand and only interact with interface elements that are needed at that time. Students should determine which interface style is best suited to their game concepts – and discuss a rationale for their choices.