“Crank the Weasel”

 

HUD

Brian Silva

 

Basic HUD

1.   Design Overview

The HUD is comprised of several individual gauges and readouts that provide the player with important information, such as: health, Weasel Gauge level, current inventory item, cash, and collected parcel.

 

2.   Detailed Design

1.       The HUD has 4 Elements. Each Element has an associated doc outlining its functionality.

a.       Weasel Gauge – See WeaselGauge.doc

                                                                           i.      The Weasel gauge is the meter that shows Weasels progress towards becoming Full Tilt Weasel

b.       Health Meter – See Health.doc

                                                                           i.      The Health Meter is comprised of Chicken light bulbs that reflect Weasels current ‘well being’. Lose all your chickens, and you’re dead.

c.       Inventory Item – See SpecialItems.doc and InventorySystem.doc

                                                                           i.      The Inventory item bar shows the player what item is queued for immediate use and what the next item is up in the queue should they want to cycle through their items.

d.       Cash Accrued

                                                                           i.      This simply shows how much Loot Weasel has acquired during his play in the level

e.       Parcel

                                                                           i.      When Weasel collects a parcel, it is instantly transferred onto the bottom left corner of the HUD

 

3.   Design Outcome

The goal is to give the player concise information at all times regarding his health, cash, inventory and Weasel Gauge level.

 

4.   Entertainment Factor

Not knowing how much life you have left, or not knowing any of the other information at all times leads to frustration. By giving the player the ability to see their current progress on that life, they’ll play more cautiously or perhaps more chaotically dependant on things their HUD conveys.

           

 

 

Basic HUD

Special Item & Weapon Display

Ø       When Weasel possesses a weapon or special item, an icon representing the weapon or item will be displayed in the upper right hand corner of the game screen

Ø       If Weasel is somewhere on the playfield that makes a special item or weapon unusable (zip-line, swimming, climbing, etc), the special item or weapon icon will appear faded-out

Ø       The remaining usefulness of a weapon or item is displayed next to its HUD icon either by time remaining or number of uses left