Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
When you design your user interface, know your audience. Older players are more
comfortable with menus and labeled buttons. Younger players enjoy the experience
of exploring a graphical environment with their mouse and clicking where they see
highlights. This is extremely problematic if you are a youngish programmer writing
games for little kids or your parents. They simply don
t think the same way you do,
and nothing you do in your interface code will change that. Mimic proven solutions
if you can, but always get a random sample of your target audience by taking your
interface design for a test drive.
There
'
s nothing more humbling than when you stand behind someone playing your
game and silently watch that person struggle with the simplest task. You want to
scream at the top of your lungs,
'
“
Simpleton! How do you find enough neurons to
”
'
respirate?
ll realize that the one with missing neu-
rons looks back at you from mirrors. Take a deep breath, go back to your drawing
board, and make things better. You
In a calmer moment, perhaps you
'
ll be glad you did.
