Origin of the Project

As a solo developer working on a third-person survival horror game inspired by iconic titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, I found myself facing a critical need during the development process. In creating this spine-chilling gaming experience using Unreal Engine 5, I recognized the necessity for an enhanced input control icons pack.

Challenges Encountered

While crafting my survival horror game, I encountered several challenges related to user interface and player interaction:

• Complex Control Schemes: Survival horror games often involve intricate control schemes with various input options, including gamepad support and keyboard/mouse controls. These controls needed to be presented intuitively to players.
• Immersive Gameplay: In the horror genre, maintaining player immersion is paramount. Clunky or unclear control representations can disrupt the immersive experience, detracting from the game's horror atmosphere.
• Accessibility: I aimed to make my game accessible to a wide range of players, including those with different playstyles and physical abilities. Providing clear and adaptable input icons was crucial to achieving this goal.

The Birth of the Input Control Icons Pack

Recognizing these challenges, I embarked on the journey to create an input control icons pack to address these specific needs within my own game development process. This pack would serve as a fundamental element to enhance the gaming experience for players while allowing me to focus on the core gameplay mechanics and storytelling of my survival horror project.

Key Considerations

• Visual Cohesion: The icons needed to seamlessly integrate into the game's UI, maintaining a cohesive visual style that complements the horror theme.
• Clarity and Understandability: Players should instantly grasp the meaning of each icon, even in the midst of tense and terrifying gameplay moments.
• Flexibility: The pack should accommodate a variety of input methods and preferences, catering to both gamepad and keyboard/mouse users.
• Accessibility: It was essential to ensure that the icons pack would contribute to making the game more accessible for a diverse player base.

Input Types and Variations

In my quest to enhance your gaming experience, i covered with a variety of input types and eye-catching variations. Whether you're gaming on a PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, or the good ol' keyboard and mouse, i designed icons to match your style and preferences. Check out the details below:

Summary

Alright, let's wrap this up with a summary of the project and the valuable lessons I've learned along the way.

Lessons Learned

• User-Centric Design: Creating this input control icons pack taught me the importance of putting the user at the center of the design process. Icons need to be clear and intuitive to make the gaming experience smoother.
• Accessibility Matters: Ensuring that the icons were accessible to all players, including those with varying needs and preferences, was a crucial lesson. The "Alt (High Contrast)" variation was especially eye-opening in this regard.
• Community Collaboration: Embracing an open-source approach encouraged collaboration and diversity within the gaming community. It's amazing how different perspectives can lead to better design.
• Iterative Improvement: Getting feedback and iterating on the designs was essential. It's okay to make adjustments to improve the user experience.

Conclusion:

Creating this input control icons pack for my survival horror game has been a rewarding journey. I've not only enhanced the gaming experience for my players but also contributed to the gaming community by sharing an open-source resource.

Through this project, I've come to appreciate the power of well-designed icons in making a game more immersive and accessible. It's all about guiding players through the terrifying twists and turns of my game seamlessly.

In the end, I've not only improved my game but also learned valuable lessons about user-centric design, accessibility, community collaboration, and the importance of iterative improvement. And with that, I'm excited to release my game with these awesome icons, making the horror experience even spookier and more enjoyable for all gamers out there. Cheers to the power of great design and the gaming community!

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