Raid WW2: The User Interface
Unfolding Pixels: The Artistic Journey behind Raid World War II User Interfaces
The experiences of the intricate process of creating immersive user interfaces in Raid: World War II as seen through the eyes of the game's UI designer
Interfacing the Players
There is a certain magic in a game's user interface and heads-up display (HUD). In these elements, players interact directly with our world, feeling the tangible impact of their actions.
As the lead artist, I had the honor and responsibility of designing and providing art direction for these vital components of Raid: World War II.
It was a journey that began with rough sketches and mood boards and gradually honed into a polished, intuitive interface that blended seamlessly with the game's setting and narrative.
The Basics
I began with the most rudimentary of tools – pen and paper. Initial concepts and ideas took shape on countless pages, each sketch a step toward the vision I had in my mind. It was a process of iteration, of constant refinement. Each design had to be stable and capable of handling various information loads.
Once I felt confident in the structural integrity of these preliminary designs, I moved on to creating style guides and art direction documents, but also providing the complete designs for some of the most important screens. These served as blueprints for the journey ahead, guiding us toward our destination.
A Friend Came
This journey was not one I embarked on alone. I was joined by my friend Damir Turkovic, a talented UI designer with whom I had collaborated on previous projects for SuperSport and with whom I created the Sporti, a popular sports betting app.
Our shared history of producing quality products was a foundation of trust and mutual respect.
Under the art direction I provided before, Damir took the UI further, refining it to its final state.
Creating an elegant and easy-to-use UI with the Diesel engine was a significant challenge. But the obstacles we faced only fueled our creativity.
We crafted a UI that was not just functional but aesthetically pleasing. It embodied the tone of the 1940s and World War II era while subtly incorporating modernistic and minimal elements.
The result was a timeless and contemporary UI, an elegant fusion of past and present.
The HUD (Heads Up Display)
As our project progressed, Damir stepped up to take on the responsibilities for the HUD. His commitment was evident in every aspect, from the smallest icon to the overall layout. With the same meticulous attention to detail and creative flair that he brought to the UI interfaces, he ensured that the HUD was not just functional but also seamlessly integrated into the game's overall aesthetic.
His work truly elevated the player's experience, making every interaction intuitive and visually appealing.
While I provided the art direction, crafting several screens as foundational guidelines, Damir took these blueprints and built upon them, ensuring consistency and high-quality design throughout the entire interface.
The War Cries
One of the standout gameplay elements in Raid: WW2 was the introduction of 'War Cries.' Envisioned as a heightened state of combat prowess, activating a War Cry granted players enhanced abilities, be it ghost-like evasiveness, augmented strength, or heightened speed.
As the lead for conceptualizing and designing this feature, I wanted to ensure the player not only felt the power of the War Cry in gameplay but visually as well.
The HUD would transform—flames licking at the screen's edges, the field of view widening, immersing players deeper into their heightened state.
Collaborating closely with Jure Ratkovic, our skilled shader engineer, we seamlessly integrated screen space shaders and special effects, ensuring that every War Cry was not just a gameplay mechanic, but a visceral, visually-stunning experience.
In the End
Looking back on our journey making user interfaces in Raid: World War II, I am filled with a sense of immense pride and satisfaction. But more than that, I am proud of the friendship that Damir and I share. It is a bond forged through the projects we went through, honed by years of collaboration, and strengthened by shared successes and failures.
This partnership was proof of the power of teamwork, the magic that can be created when two minds come together in pursuit of a shared vision.
