Where do I go? Why can’t I find the options I need? Why is there too much information (or lack thereof) in this interface? How is this minimap so cluttered but useless information-wise at the same time?
Admit it, we’ve all been there. You’re excited to play a game, but then you run into a terrible user interface (UI), spawning all kinds of questions similar to the above. Suddenly, that seemingly awesome world you were looking forward to exploring becomes a frustrating mess, even unenjoyable.
Bad UI in games is a common problem and it can detract from the players’ experience. Today, we will explore the common pitfalls UI designers should avoid while working on a game’s interface – as well as provide practical solutions to fix them!
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What makes for bad UI in games
A poorly designed UI can ruin even the best game. Thankfully, understanding common pitfalls and possible solutions will create better UIs, enhancing your game and the player’s experience.
For every UI design issue in games, we’ll also explore some potential issues, so let’s go right through them:
Cluttered interfaces: if in doubt, less is more
One of the biggest issues plaguing bad game UIs is overly cluttered interfaces. Screens crammed with buttons, icons, text, animations, and other elements can be incredibly overwhelming and confusing for players. It’s like trying to read a newspaper with the type all jumbled together – it’s tough to focus and find the information you need.
A clean and uncluttered interface is essential for a positive user experience. Use clear visual hierarchy to emphasize important information and minimize unnecessary elements. Make sure every essential element is easy to spot and understand.
Also, avoid using too many different fonts, colors, or visual styles, as this can create a chaotic and confusing look. Strive for simplicity, focusing on what’s crucial for the player to see and interact with.
Inconsistent design language: visual identity matters
Have you ever played a game where the menus look completely different from the in-game interface like mismatched socks? Perhaps the fonts change constantly, or the buttons have a different style depending on their location? While egregious examples are rare to find, inconsistencies can be confusing and jarring for players.
A streamlined design language helps create a cohesive and professional look. Use the same style of buttons, fonts, colors, and visual elements throughout the game. This creates a sense of familiarity and helps players easily find whatever they need on the UI.
Inconsistency can interrupt the flow of the game and lead to frustration, so maintaining a visual identity that’s applied throughout the entire game is critical for a positive experience.
Poor visual hierarchy: guiding the player’s eyes
Another common issue in bad UI in games involves poor visual hierarchy. As humans, we have trouble paying attention to many things at the same time, and it’s the same old story with our eyes, which can only focus on one thing at a time.
If a game has elements on the screen with equal importance, then how will the player know which information to prioritize? It’s like trying to find your way through a dark forest with no trail markers.
Visual hierarchy guides the player through the game, directing their attention to important elements while keeping distractions and unimportant details in the background.
Use visual cues like size, color, position, and contrast to create a visual hierarchy. The most important elements should be the most prominent, while the lesser ones should be more subtle. This helps players prioritize the information they need and focus on the tasks at hand.
In short, a good visual hierarchy ensures players always know where to look, what to do, and what’s happening.
Unclear icons and labels: speak clearly
Trying to decipher cryptic symbols in a game is never fun. Players should instantly grasp the meaning of every icon and label without needing a decoder ring. Vague or confusing icons disrupt the flow and lead to frustration.
Use simple, recognizable, and consistent icons and labels throughout your game. Avoid overly abstract or cryptic symbols, and ensure labels are clear, concise, and easily readable. If players need to pause and puzzle over an icon’s meaning, it immediately impacts the overall experience.
Inaccessible controls
While this pitfall is more related to user experience (UX) than UI, it’s still important to consider the following: clunky, unresponsive, or awkward controls can make even the best game unplayable.
Similarly, a lack of customizable control options can exclude players with disabilities or those with different preferences, and inaccessible controls severely limit your potential audience.
To fix it, design intuitive and easy-to-learn controls. Consider offering customizable options, like remapping buttons or adjusting sensitivity, to accommodate diverse player needs and abilities. Remember, accessibility benefits everyone and creates a more inclusive and enjoyable gaming experience for all.
Poor feedback mechanisms: either excess or lack of communication
Nothing’s more frustrating than performing an action and having no idea if it worked. Poor feedback mechanisms leave players feeling lost and disconnected from the game. They create uncertainty and undermine the sense of agency.
Implement clear and immediate feedback mechanisms to keep players informed. Use visual or audio cues to confirm interactions, display damage clearly, and provide satisfying feedback when tasks are completed.
Be careful not to overdo them or you might fall into the first trap (cluttered interfaces), though!
Unclear progression systems: what is the player supposed to do?
Convoluted progression systems can leave players feeling lost and confused. They don’t know how to advance, what to do next, or even how their actions impact their progress. This can lead to frustration and ultimately, players giving up on your game, particularly goal-oriented ones.
For this reason, you should design clear and easy-to-understand progression systems. Use visual cues, such as progress bars, level indicators, and clear objectives, to show players how they advance through the game.
You may also define the steps involved in completing each level or mission, providing regular feedback and rewards to maintain player motivation. If players are always unsure of what they’re supposed to do, the lack of direction could be a huge pain point.
Poorly designed tutorials
Usually speaking, tutorials are a player’s first impression of your game. A long, boring, or confusing tutorial can set a negative tone from the start, even making people think your game might not be worth playing. Tutorials are not meant to bore the player to tears.
Design engaging and informative tutorials that seamlessly integrate with the game. Instead of lengthy text explanations, use short, interactive tutorials that allow players to learn through doing.
Focus on teaching the most essential mechanics and allowing players to discover the rest of the game’s mechanics at their own pace, but without losing them. Remember, a good tutorial helps the player understand how the game works, but it also helps players gauge the quality of your title by offering a preview of what’s to come.
Once more, careful not to go wild with those tutorial interfaces – keep everything clean and slowly add complexity to the UI.
Avoid bad UI in games to avoid failure at launch!
So, you’ve learned about bad UI in games, how it may affect your players, and how to fix those glaring issues. If you can apply these principles to your games, creating positive experiences for players will become much easier!
After all, a great UI isn’t just about making a game’s menu look good, it’s about enhancing an existing game with clear interfaces to provide all the information the player needs.
Now, if you need some help designing a good UI or anything game-related, we at Main Leaf have over a decade of experience delivering incredible results for clients. We provide a wide range of game development services to help you transform your vision into reality, and we’d be delighted to work on your project.
Contact us today and let’s create something truly special together!
