Select one game of your interest and explain why does it have a good/bad game UI.
Common belief says that the three factors which make the perfect game are stunning graphics, good gameplay and perfect sound, although this description is missing one important thing: well-designed user interface.
An example of good user interface can be found in the Polish game The Witcher III: Wild Hunt. There are three levels of interface. The most basic one contains the most useful information during the gameplay such as health points, super power charge or level progress. All of them are represented by various bars and symbols so it is impossible to mistake them. In the other parts of the screen there is a clear map with player’s current location, weather forecast, list of active tasks and icons of quick equipment.
Witcher III Wild Hunt
Entering the second level of user interface means that the gameplay will be stopped but it is still convenient to go there during the combat. Player can choose super powers and see all of the active effects.
Witcher III Wild Hunt
The third level of user interface is very vast and consists of several different screens. The inventory panel is very compelling because every single item in game has its own wonderful illustration. There is also a 3D model of our character so it is easy to decide if new clothing suits him from this panel. In the other sections we can find the list of quests, extended version of world map, information about characters, bestiary and much more. The design of interface is black and very simple with only a few ornaments and subtle graphic in the background.
Witcher III Wild Hunt
To sum up, I think that The Witcher III meet almost all requirements of perfect user interface which are visibility, affordance, feedback, simplicity, good structure, consistency, tolerance and accessibility.
Discuss how technology augments human abilities. Reflect upon the implications of the future of HCI.
Humanity becomes more powerful every decade. For example few years ago we were not able to prevent some diseases but we do now. The reason for that is obviously not more skilful people but rapidly developing technology.
Human-computer interaction becomes a significant part of almost every field of life. Starting with very basic abilities such as programming a dishwasher, people are more attached to technology but also able to do more complicated tasks. Furthermore, having a smartphone increases our multi-tasking, and gives us completely new abilities such as continuous connection with other people, GPS navigation in our every step and access to endless source of information which basically set us free from remembering everything.
If we try to look further, we can predict that human-computer interaction will reach even higher levels. Scientists assume that the next big breakthrough after smartphones will be smart tattooes connected to human’s nervous system. All security problems will be resolved with this invention. Another future must-have of every household is the „assistant” which bases on artificial intelligence and organise all life instead of people, take care about their health condition and needs.
Smart tattoo
In the future a lot of our duties will be handled by computer and it means that people will have more free time and possibilities to focus on issues such as art, relationships and personal development. If we take into account the approaching inventions which will help us to develop our interests it is possible that people will become even more creative, skilful and inventive. Both art and science are likely to be considerably expanded in the upcoming decades.
references:
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/book/the-encyclopedia-of-human-computer-interaction-2nd-ed/visual-aesthetics
https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ui-design/the-future-of-human-computer-interaction-whats-next/
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