Course Objectives

Upon completion of this learn-it module, you should be able to:

  1. Compare elements related to platform- and genre-specific game interface design.
Tomb Raider: Legend falls under the Action Genre and combines Adventure, and Third Person Action. Tomb Raider: Legend offers an "intuitive and fluid Control System (term) movement that allows you to keep Lara in continuous motion; seamlessly handle any obstacle and interact dynamically with any surface." (GameStop, 2006) GameStop Product Details
Deus Ex HUD Interface
Third-Person Action games share atributes similar to first-person shooters (FPS). The most obvios difference is the perspective of the player.

Health is a common element in most third-person action games. It can be a measure of the amount of errors a player has made in the game, as well as the sucesses.

Ammunition is sometimes used in third-person action games,as with FPSs.

Camera Control is an important feature providing a view of the player's character and surrondings.

Jumping is common to a lot of third-person action games as a means to travel, but it is also often part of a puzzle to be solved. This can be frustrating to the player and can be overcome by providing shortcuts.(Saunders and Novak, 2007).