This chapter discusses game interfaces and their importance in player-centered design. It covers the key components of interfaces, such as scores, maps, characters, and start screens. The chapter distinguishes between manual and visual interfaces, as well as passive and active interfaces. Guidelines are provided for interface usability, accessibility, and saving games. The chapter aims to explain how interfaces connect players to the gameplay experience.

1. Game Development Essentials An Introduction (2 nd Edition)

2. Chapter 8 Interface creating the connection

3. Key Chapter Questions ■ How do game interfaces relate to p layer-centered design ? ■ What are the components of game interfaces? ■ What is the difference between a manual and a visual interface? ■ What is the difference between a passive and an active interface? ■ Why is usability important in game interface design?

4. Player-Centered Design What’s wrong with this picture?

5. Interface & Game Features Gameplay Story Character Audio World Platform Genre

6. Interface Types Manual (Physical)

7. Interface Types Manual (Physical) PS3

8. Interface Types Manual (Physical) Xbox 360

9. Interface Types Manual (Physical) Wii

10. Interface Types Visual Active World of Warcraft

11. Interface Types Visual Passive Lost Planet

12. Visual Interfaces Components Score Score display in NBA 07

13. Visual Interfaces Components Lives & Power Lives remaining display in Super Mario Sunshine and power display in Dead Rising.

14. Visual Interfaces Components Map Maps can be effective interface elements, whether they appear passively outside the game’s “playing field” ( Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, shown) or are accessed actively as their own menu systems (Bully, shown).

15. Visual Interfaces Components Character Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘06 utilizes EA’s sophisticated Game Face character creation interface.

16. Visual Interfaces Components Character Player character inventory interface from Diablo II

17. Visual Interfaces Components Start Screen The Crazy Bunker start screen utilizes a simple interface consisting primarily of a start (“go”) button, and fields for the player to enter a username and password.

18. Visual Interfaces Genre-Specific Features Action Adventure Role-Playing Simulation Sports Strategy

19. Usability Dysfunctional Interfaces Cryptic Complex Simplistic Inconsistent Inefficient Cluttered

20. Usability Accessibility Visual Alpha Centauri ’s color scheme can be changed to one suitable for players who are color-blind.

21. Usability Accessibility Audio Jade Empire —which displays subtitles for character dialogue—does not require audio in order to play.

22. Usability Accessibility Motor (Physical) Psychonauts allows players who have physical disabilities to play the game using specialized equipment.

23. Usability Accessibility Speech SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals —a game that focuses on speech as a communication method—allows players the option of communicating by text.

24. Usability Accessibility Cognitive The Sims 2 utilizes an icon-based interface, although players may communicate optionally via text.

25. Saving the Game Quick-Save Prey

26. Saving the Game Auto-Save God of War

27. Saving the Game Save to Slot or File Syberia

28. Guidelines for a Great Interface Be consistent Enable shortcuts Provide feedback Offer defined tasks Permit easy reversal of actions Allow for player control Keep it simple Make it customizable Include a context-sensitive pointer Implement different modes Use established conventions

29. Summary Player-centered design Interface & game features Manual vs. visual interfaces Active vs. passive interfaces Visual interface components Usability & accessibility Saving the game Guidelines for a great interface