Effective Design in Video Games: WipEout HD

A lot of video games out there are just plain ugly, which I find surprising considering all the advances in graphics and art technology.  When a game comes along that is aesthetically pleasing in every way, it really stands out.  The WipEout series by Psygnosis, in my opinion, has been consistently producing titles which feature smooth, cohesive design elements.  This quality really sets the game apart from other games in the racing genre.

The game takes place about 50 years in the future.  Rather than using automobiles, racers pilot anti-gravity vehicles (pictured above) at high speeds around futuristic courses.  Creating an exciting yet realistic future is a daunting task from a designer’s point of view, but the team behind Wipeout make it look damn easy.

The advertisements that appear on the vehicles and scenery are possibly my favorite part of the game’s design.  Each one is for a fictional company (no copyright infringement woo!) and features one or several really cool logos.   Anyone in the design field will tell you that effective logo making is one of the most difficult skills to master.  Here are a few of my favorites:

The feeling of the future is further enhanced by the games UI, which is simple, yet effective.  Menus feature unique fonts, similar to those used in the above logos.  Throw in a dash of techno music and that covers all the bases.

Another aspect of the game that impresses me is the use of symbols.  Teams, tracks, etc., just about everything in the game has its own unique symbol.  Even weaponry players pick up while racing are displayed entirely in symbol form.  This makes recognizing weapons like learning another language:

Plasma, Bomb, Cannon and Auto Pilot respectively.

I admit a bit of my love for this series stems from nostalgia.  One of the first games I bought for my Playstation was the first WipEout.  When it came to racing games I pretty much switched off between that and the Jet Moto games.  I have never been a big fan of racing games with vehicles that actually exist.  (Where is the fun in that?)

WipEout HD is the newest title in the series, and is available exclusively for download at the PlayStation Store for $19.99.  As its name would suggest, the game is capable of full 1080p output, which is pretty much the maximum our pathetic human eyes are capable of perceiving.  If you enjoy racing games with a bit of a twist I highly recommend it.

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