Loving the game so far but I do have some notes on how the experience with the HUD can be improved. Here are my main thoughts on it:
-
The HUD looks really clean, there is a right amount of detail in it that doesn’t go too far while making it not feel flat. - While it looks clean, information is cluttered to the bottom right corner of the screen which makes evaluating information difficult in combat. - I like the art direction of the HUD as well, but it would be great to have some variety in the HUD design as well ala Halo 5’s different HUDs for other characters in Co-opThis being said, here is my recommendations on how to improve this:
-
Create different variations on element placement on the HUD the player can choose from. For example, in addition to the default existing Halo Infinite placement of elements (shields top center, weapons bottom right, grenades bottom right, etc.) create various presets that players can choose from (you can use existing Halo games as foundations like Halo 3 where weapons are top right, score is bottom right, etc.). This allows for accessibility for players who may need more space to discern information. In addition this feature can be improved and developed over the lifespan of the game. - Create a new level of customization that HUDs have never had before: Themes. With HUD themes, players can earn and equip new HUD styles that change the look of the HUD, without changing element placement. Halo 5’s Co-op campaign is a great example of how themes can work except while maintaining the preset element placement the player selected from above. You can also utilize older HUDs from Halo games upgraded to fit the resolution of the existing game. By having HUD presets from those games, they now can function within Halo Infinite’s HUD system.I feel that adding these will not only give higher player expression and satisfaction with Halo Infinite’s most important interface, but should become easier to implement as more development time is spent creating the foundations (getting the elements to properly spread and fit on-screen for presets, and design UI and art for Themes). Presets can be less varied and implemented closer to launch and grow and expand over time as the life of the game continues. This would also create a whole new level of customization and I feel that Themes really fit in the existing armor coating and weapon skin system.
If you agree with the ideas above or have realistic thoughts on how it can be expanded upon (of course I’d prefer a HUD element customization system that can be placed wherever I want over presets but this feels more realistic in what can be implemented sooner rather than years down the line) please comment below for visibility of this post or improvements to it. Thank you for reading, I hope this can be implemented and make this game even better!