Beginner’s Guide to Game UI Elements (Menus, HUDs, Controls) Quiz Quiz

Explore key concepts behind game user interface elements such as menus, heads-up displays (HUDs), and controls with this quiz. Designed for beginners, these questions will help reinforce the foundational principles of intuitive and effective game UI design.

1. Main Menu Functionality

   Which of the following is a primary function of the main menu in a video game?

   1. Controlling the character’s in-game movement via joystick
   2. Showing real-time alerts and quest objectives on the screen edge
   3. Providing access to starting a new game, settings, and exiting
   4. Displaying player health and ammunition during gameplay

   Explanation: The main menu is intended to give players options such as starting a new game, tweaking settings, or exiting, making it the central access point before gameplay. Displaying health and ammunition is a function of the heads-up display (HUD), not the main menu. Real-time alerts and quest objectives also belong to HUD elements, not menus. Character movement is handled by control schemes, not menu functions.

2. Identifying a HUD Element

   In a racing game, what UI component typically shows the player’s current lap number and speed?

   1. Pause menu
   2. Settings menu
   3. Input configuration screen
   4. Heads-up display (HUD)

   Explanation: The heads-up display (HUD) presents critical real-time information like lap number and speed directly on the game screen during play. Pause menus are only shown when the game is paused and usually do not display live statistics. The settings menu is for adjusting game preferences and does not offer in-game updates. Input configuration screens deal with control mappings and are not visible during gameplay.

3. Navigating Game Settings

   Where should a player typically go to adjust the game’s audio or graphics quality settings?

   1. Leaderboard screen
   2. Credits screen
   3. HUD overlay during gameplay
   4. Settings or options menu

   Explanation: Settings or options menus are specifically designed for changing preferences such as audio volume and graphics quality. The HUD overlay provides status information, not access to configuration. The credits screen exists to display contributor information but does not provide options. Leaderboard screens show scores or ranks, not gameplay settings.

4. Purpose of Contextual Controls

   Why might a game UI include contextual control pop-ups, such as showing 'Press E to open door' when near an object?

   1. To hide all controls for a more immersive experience
   2. To inform players of available actions only when relevant
   3. To permanently display control instructions at the bottom of the screen
   4. To assign random keys to each object interaction

   Explanation: Contextual control pop-ups ensure players receive clear guidance on available actions based on the situation, enhancing usability and immersion. Permanently displaying instructions would create screen clutter and reduce immersion. Hiding all controls would likely result in confusion for new players. Assigning random keys is confusing and not a responsible UI practice.

5. Feedback Through Visual UI Cues

   In an action game, what is the main reason for highlighting a selected menu item or active button?

   1. To pause the game automatically
   2. To unlock secret features automatically
   3. To randomly adjust the game brightness
   4. To provide visual feedback indicating the player’s current selection

   Explanation: Highlighting a selected menu item gives immediate feedback about which option the player is about to choose, improving navigation and user confidence. Unlocking secret features is unrelated to selection highlighting. Adjusting brightness randomly serves no useful purpose and would likely frustrate players. Pausing the game automatically when selecting a menu item is not a standard UI feature.