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UX Design

Written by: Akram Taghavi-Burris | © Copyright 2025

Status: In Development

User Experience (UX) design is all about how players interact with a game. It goes beyond just visuals—it's about how intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable the game feels. A well-designed UX ensures that players can navigate menus easily, understand game mechanics without frustration, and receive the right feedback at the right time.

In games, UX plays a huge role in player engagement. A confusing inventory system, clunky controls, or a poorly placed HUD can make an otherwise great game feel frustrating. On the other hand, when UX is done well, players don’t even notice it, it just feels right.

The Origins of UX and UI Design​

Modern UX design has its roots in graphic design, which is all about making complex ideas clear, visual hierarchy, typography, and layout. While originally designed for print media these same principles have transitioned to web and software interfaces, leading to structured approaches for usability and interaction.

Games, in particular, have pushed UX and UI design even further. Unlike websites or apps, games require real-time interaction, responsiveness, and dynamic feedback. This makes game UX more complex, as designers must account for player psychology, immersion, and input methods (controllers, touchscreens, VR, etc.).

UX vs. UI: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to mix up User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI), but they serve different purposes:

  • UX (User Experience) focuses on functionality, flow, and accessibility. It’s about making sure players can achieve their goals effortlessly.
  • UI (User Interface) is the visual presentation—the buttons, menus, HUD, and other on-screen elements players interact with.

Think of it like this: UX is the blueprint of a house, ensuring the rooms are easy to navigate, while UI is the paint, furniture, and decor that make it look great. Both need to work together for an enjoyable experience.

UX in Games​

Good UX design can mean the difference between an immersive experience and a frustrating one. Here are a few examples:

  • A well-designed HUD provides essential information (health, ammo, objectives) without cluttering the screen.
  • Menus and inventory systems should be easy to navigate, especially in fast-paced games.
  • Feedback and affordances (such as button highlights, sound cues, or haptic feedback) help players understand their actions.
  • Accessibility options like colorblind modes, subtitles, and readable controls improve inclusivity.
The Role of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) in Games

Much of game UX research falls under Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), a field that studies how people interact with technology. HCI focuses on usability, accessibility, and player experience, all of which are critical for game design.

Why does this matter for games? Because games aren't just about functionality; they are about engagement and emotion. HCI research helps developers understand:

  • How players process visual information on the screen.
  • How different control schemes impact usability.
  • How feedback (visual, audio, and haptic) affects player decision-making.
  • How accessibility features improve the experience for all players.

By applying HCI principles, game designers can create intuitive, responsive, and immersive experiences that keep players engaged.