HUD

Status: Designed Author: user + game-designer Last Updated: 2026-03-28 System Index: #19 — Alpha, Polish Layer

Overview

The HUD is a persistent overlay visible during non-menu scenes (Map, Combat, Reward, Rest). It displays essential run information — player HP, teammate HP, and run progress — so players always have context without needing to check a separate screen. During combat, the HUD is minimal since Combat UI handles detailed resource display. Outside combat, the HUD is the primary status display.

Player Fantasy

"I always know where we stand." A quick glance tells you how healthy the team is and how far you are in the run. No need to memorize numbers between screens.

Detailed Design

Core Rules

HUD is an always-on-top CanvasLayer, visible in Map, Combat, Reward, and Rest scenes.
During combat, HUD minimizes to avoid duplicating Combat UI information (only shows teammate HP summary).
HUD reads from RunData — no independent state.
HUD is display-only — no interaction.

Layout (Map/Reward/Rest)

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ♥ 45/60  P2:♥52  P3:♥30  P4:♥60    Node 4/8   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Element	Content
Player HP	Own HP / max HP with heart icon
Teammate HP	Abbreviated HP per teammate
Run progress	Current node / total layers

Layout (Combat — minimal)

During combat, Combat UI shows detailed resources. HUD reduces to:

┌──────────────────────┐
│ Node 4/8             │
└──────────────────────┘

Interactions with Other Systems

System	Direction	Interface
Player Resources	Reads	HP values for all players
Game State Manager	Reads	Current node index, layer count, current game state (to toggle minimal mode)

Formulas

None.

Edge Cases

Case	Resolution
Dead player	Show HP as "0" with greyed-out or crossed-out style
Player disconnected	Show "DC" instead of HP
1-player game	No teammate HP section — just own HP and progress

Dependencies

Upstream

System	Dependency Type	Interface
Player Resources	Hard	HP values
Game State Manager	Hard	Run progress, current state

Downstream

None — display only.

Tuning Knobs

Knob	Default	Safe Range	Affects
`hud_opacity`	0.9	0.5-1.0	Visibility vs. screen obstruction
`hud_position`	Top	Top/Bottom	Layout preference
`combat_minimal_mode`	true	true/false	Whether HUD hides during combat

Acceptance Criteria

#	Criterion	Verification
1	HUD visible on Map screen with HP and progress	Visual test: enter map, assert HUD shows HP and node count
2	HUD minimizes during combat	Visual test: enter combat, assert HUD shows only progress
3	Teammate HP updates in real-time	Integration test: teammate takes damage, assert HUD updates
4	Dead player shown distinctly	Visual test: player dies, assert greyed HP display