Mastering UI Design for Hyper-Casual Games: A Guide to Elevating User Experience

5 Hacks for Designing Hyper-Casual Game UI That Amplifies Player Engagement

Hyper-casual games are gaining popularity, thanks to their simple, straightforward gameplay and addictive nature. While fun, engaging gameplay is undoubtedly a critical factor, the user interface (UI) design plays an equally important role in a game’s success. As hyper-casual games evolve, becoming more complex and feature-rich — much like the top-performing titles on Supercent — the significance of intuitive UI design becomes increasingly apparent.

In this article, we’ll talk about the essential elements that contribute to a compelling UI in hyper-casual games.

1. Intuitive and simple UI design

The key feature of hyper-casual games is their simple gameplay. Accordingly, UI design should follow intuitive and straightforward principles. It’s important to eliminate unnecessary elements and have a structure that makes it easy for users to start and progress through the game. When it comes to the gameplay screen, less is often more. If possible, minimize UI elements on the gameplay screen and utilize in-game visual cues to provide information to the user, enhancing immersion.

In hyper-casual games, complex and demanding UI, often seen in landscape mode games, should be avoided as it can raise entry barriers for users. <League of Legends: Wild Rift>

Representing the changes in the main character through in-game objects, rather than UI elements, can enhance user immersion by intuitively conveying the current state. <Blob Runner 3D>

2. Eye-catching Buttons and Icons

Buttons and icons are the touchpoints through which players interact with your game, so it's important for buttons and icons to clearly stand out for an intuitive user experience. These elements should not only be visually striking but also designed with clarity and intuitive design in mind. Opt for touch-friendly sizes and high-contrast colors/high-visibility design to ensure maximum visibility and user convenience.

Clear icons that are easily understandable to anyone and buttons with an easy-to-press size are essential in UI design. <Stone Excavator>

3. Vibrant Colors and Atmosphere

Color choice has a significant impact on the mood of your game and user emotions. Hyper-casual games typically have energetic and competitive vibes, so using bold and dynamic colors is crucial to keep the game interesting. However, in the context of the current trend towards more realistic graphics, a simpler and modern UI with subdued colors is also being employed and preferred.

Moreover, color usage should not be overly confusing; it’s important to maintain consistency and harmony within the game. Keeping button colors consistent among those with similar functions is advisable for coherence. Also using intuitive colors that tap into user stereotypes, — such as green for positivity, — red for negativity, will make it much easier for users to understand the UI. Additionally, it’s also a good idea to prioritize the colors of important UI elements and game objects and use stronger colors where they need to be emphasized.

Even if your UI is colorful, it’s a good idea to use consistent colors to reduce clutter.<High Heels!>

Using positive and negative colors appropriately helps users understand quickly. <Twerk Race 3D>

4. Small Animations and Effects

Small animations and effects capture users’ attention and enrich the gameplay experience. For instance, using fireworks effects upon hitting a target, displaying a small success sign when obtaining an item, and offering compliments through messages can elevate users’ sense of achievement and engagement.

Animated praise or warnings in the UI can be used to maximize gameplay immersion.<StackingColorMatch> <StealMaster>

5. Advertisements and In-App Purchase Strategies

Advertisements can be a major source of revenue in hyper-casual games. To manage them effectively, you need to consider where and when they appear so that they don’t negatively impact the user experience. In hyper-casual games, where in-app purchases play a minor role but gradually contribute, it’s essential to present information about in-app purchases clearly, allowing users to access and utilize them easily.

It’s best to display information about ads and in-app purchases accurately so that they don’t have a negative impact. <Buger Please>

Conclusion

By strategically incorporating intuitive design, eye-catching buttons and icons, vibrant colors and atmospheres, small animations and effects, and a strategy for advertising and in-app purchases strategy, will all come together to create an addictive gaming experience for your users.

Looking forward to UI design in your next hyper-casual game.

Click here and create your hypercasual game with Supercent!

[Contact]
- E-mail: help@supercent.io
- Website: en.supercent.io