SPATIAL UI
Spatial UI is essential in my high school stealth horror game because it provides players with clear, context-sensitive interaction prompts directly within the game world. It helps players immediately recognize collectible objects and understand how to interact with the environment without breaking immersion. Prompts such as "Press E to Collect," "Press E to Open Door," "Press E to Interact," and "Hold E to Push/Pull" appear only when the player is near an interactive object. This makes gameplay more intuitive, reduces confusion, improves navigation, and allows players to focus on exploration and survival while maintaining the game's immersive horror atmosphere.
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DIGETIC
Diegetic UI is used in my Highschool Watch game to present important gameplay information as part of the game world, making the experience more immersive and realistic. Instead of displaying information on a traditional HUD, players receive feedback through objects within the environment. For example, the flashlight battery level is displayed directly on the flashlight, CCTV monitors show live security camera feeds, and school maps are posted on classroom and hallway walls to help players navigate. Other diegetic elements include wall clocks showing the current in-game time, exit signs guiding emergency routes, security keycard readers, door lock indicator lights, warning signs, and notice boards that provide clues and story details. This approach allows players to gather information naturally while exploring the school, enhancing immersion and maintaining the tense atmosphere of the horror experience.
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META
Meta UI is used in my Highschool Watch game to enhance the player's emotional experience without affecting the actual game world. Visual and audio effects such as screen distortion when the old man gets close, increasing heartbeat and heavy breathing, blood splatter and cracked-screen effects after taking damage, and brief screen glitches or flickers during frightening moments create a strong sense of fear and tension. Additional effects like vignette darkening at low health, camera shake during chase sequences, subtle ringing sounds after loud events, desaturated colors when the player is exhausted, and dynamic warning flashes during critical danger help communicate the player's physical and mental state. These Meta UI elements increase immersion, build psychological horror, and provide important feedback while maintaining the game's suspenseful atmosphere.