Mass Effect’s New HUD Explained

GameSpot was able to corner Mass Effect project director Diarmid Clarke for some additional information about the new HUD being implemented into the PC version.

Speaking with GameSpot, Mass Effect project director Diarmid Clarke outlined the refinements that will be included in the new HUD, which he said was “absolutely” responsible for the delay. “If it’s going to work, it’s got to work perfectly,” he said. “It can’t look like a piece bolted onto the game.”

According to Clarke, the new HUD allows for much easier access to biotic powers and weapons by doing away with the radial HUD used in the 360 version. “All of the wheel stuff is now on the screen, you’re not flicking between menus,” he explained. “It’s all just point and click now.”

In particular, the new display scheme does away with the 360’s inventory-management system, which drew widespread complaints for its lack of ease of use. Now, the guns will all be on the HUD screens ordered in rank of power, with customizable attachments and ammo types selectable via a drag-and-drop interface. Other keys will allow access to menu screens directly via a single key touch.

The new version of Mass Effect also takes advantage of hotkeys to let players more quickly use biotic powers. It will also have hotkeys for individual commands, which will let players issue orders to single non-player characters for improved tactical-squad combat. “It lets you be strategic and still do run-and-gun play,” promised Clarke.

Clarke also said that the developer had made an array of tweaks and improvements based on criticism of the 360 Mass Effect. The dreaded long elevator rides would be sped up in certain “frequently used” conveyances, including that on the starship Normandy. The game’s long loading times between interplanetary systems, another source of complaints, have also been reduced significantly. The controls for the Mako all-terrain vehicle have also been improved, and the graphics have (obviously) been optimized for PCs.