Welcome to the City Transport Simulator: Tram - Pic of the Week #22! This week, we focus on the HUD we have developed for CTS: Tram.
Week 22: HUD Display
Our previous tram simulator, TramSim, didn’t have a HUD, which often led to players not knowing how fast they were going or what the speed limit was. Therefore, it was important to us from the beginning to integrate a HUD in CTS: Tram.
We created the first concept for the HUD back in July 2023. The goal was to unify all the information found in the tram into one place – the HUD. For this, we created a space at the bottom left that displayed speed, allowed speed, the next signal, the next two switches, the slope, and the amps. Additionally, there were IBIS information like the name and distance of the next stop, and the current punctuality.
Initial Implementation and Overhaul
Initially, the HUD was implemented into the game as designed. However, after several test phases, we noticed that it was too much information at once. Therefore, we simplified the HUD to include only the most important information. To complement this, we implemented a kind of minimap that shows the next switch positions and the location of the next stop. Additionally, we now show the route being driven with the selected color above the "Next Stop" and the distance to the next speed restriction below.
Career Mode and EXP Display
On the right side of the HUD are all the important elements related to EXP in Career Mode. You earn a certain amount of EXP for correct driving (observing speed, signals, using indicators, etc.). This can also create a combo that awards even more EXP. At the top, you can see the current level, the total EXP, and the time.
Objectives and Tips
For tutorials and tips, there are specific "Objectives" in the top left. These help you quickly and easily understand what the next step is. Below these, you can also find notifications about the respective controls, such as whether the door release has been activated/deactivated or how much the lever has been moved.
Overall, we are very proud of the HUD display. It immensely helps to have all the important information at a glance, making tram driving even more beginner-friendly. Of course, it can also be turned off if you prefer the classic experience.
CTS: Tram will be released in 2024, and we are excited to share these exciting developments with our community. Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into the development process, exclusive features, and exciting updates. Join the discussion in our Steam Forum, Discord Server, and explore our social media channels (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook).
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