Designing intuitive UI in games: best practices and common pitfalls

Designing any kind of game involves paying attention to a myriad of elements that impact how good the finished product is. For a game to really stand out, it must not only meet expectations in these key areas but also exceed them.

User interface is a great example of this and creating an intuitive UI is something that all game designers need to get right. This is true for any kind of game, with web-based video games being an obvious choice. Intuitive UI is also important for titles across other niches, such as offline console games or those for the PC market.

As online casino play is now a major niche within the sector, intuitive UI has also become something these kinds of titles focus on. This has become especially true as more people globally have started playing casino games online and demand higher levels of design from them. The latest casino games in NZ are a good illustration of this and show how big a part UI plays in gaming.

What is intuitive UI in game design?

UI refers to the interface games have that allows players to interact with them. Common examples of user interface for gaming include the buttons, menus and icons a title might contain for players to click on.

Intuitive UI in game design takes this one step further. It focuses on the same things but does so in a way that is intuitive to use. This kind of UI makes games simpler for people to pick up and play.

What are the best practices for intuitive UI in games?

As the above shows, it’s not only UI in games a developer should think about, but also intuitive interfaces for users. A good way to go about this is picking up on best practices in the sector for designing better user interfaces.

But what are some of the best tips to take on board?

Simplicity is key

The interfaces in gaming that are easiest to use are normally some of the simplest – whether that’s HTML/JavaScript games, online casino titles or console games.

This helps players to instantly understand how to interact with a game and not be confused by overly complex controls. Designers should avoid cluttering up the interface with too many buttons or designing an interface that is too fiddly to use. It’s also wise to use clear, concise language within games to pass on information.

Think about visual hierarchy

This concept in game design focuses on arranging elements on screen in a logical, natural way. It also usually involves placing elements on screen that guide players to the most crucial information first. By doing this, designers are able to create games that make it easy for players to see the most important information quickly.

Get fonts and color scheme right

A major part of the best interfaces in gaming is the fonts and color schemes used. It’s essential, for example, to use fonts that are clear to read on-screen, and that tie in with the style or theme of the game. Sticking to a consistent set of fonts throughout the interface is also a good tip and helps to take players deeper into the game world.

By the same token, designers also need to use colors that match with the overall theme and feel natural. Contrasting colors are also useful for creating visual hierarchies or highlighting key game information.

Test and gather feedback

For anyone who is thinking about creating games with intuitive UI, this is perhaps THE best piece of advice. Although a designer might come up with a UI they think is easy to use, players might not agree!

With this in mind, it’s always wise to let people test the game out when it’s done, and gather feedback on how simple the interface was to use. Game UI can then be tweaked if needed to make it better.

What are the most common pitfalls when designing intuitive game UI?

Overloading the screen with information or elements is a classic error. This makes the interface too cluttered for people to use and makes it hard to see key information when playing. Some designers will also include icons in their games that are hard to read or not clear in what they represent. This is a no-no for intuitive UI and is something that will quickly frustrate players.

The last major pitfall to avoid is controls in the game that are not responsive. This is obviously something that players hate and will make any interface a pain to interact with. Controls that are overly complex should also be avoided, as this makes the interface difficult to use.

Best practices in intuitive UI game design

Anyone who plans to start designing their own games needs to understand what UI is and the importance of creating an interface that is intuitive to use. This will help in designing better games that players will enjoy and continue playing.

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