UI for games where you switch characters
When a game lets you switch between characters, the UI has to switch with you. Patterns for multi-character HUDs, ability displays, and clean transitions.
Ever since Spider-Man 2 was released, I’ve been fascinated by the UI changes that occur depending on whether you’re playing as Peter or Miles. The HUD shifts. The ability displays change. The color palette adapts. And the player barely notices, which is exactly the point.
Multi-character games present a unique UX challenge: the interface needs to communicate different information for different characters while maintaining enough consistency that players don’t feel disoriented when switching. This article covers the patterns that work, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to design UIs that flex with the character without fracturing the experience.