'%20fill='white'/%3e%3crect%20x='66'%20y='12'%20width='6'%20height='6'%20transform='rotate(-90%2066%2012)'%20fill='white'/%3e%3crect%20x='60'%20y='18'%20width='6'%20height='6'%20transform='rotate(-90%2060%2018)'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M82%206H94V12H88V18H94V12H100V24H82V12V6Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M104%206V0H110V6H116V12H110V18H116V12H122V24H104V12V6Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
What is an in-match HUD?
It is the set of counters and buttons that stay visible during play, as opposed to a menu the player opens.
Scroll for moreIn-Match HUD Patterns in Mobile Games
An in-match HUD is the chrome that stays up while the player acts. Strong ones keep score, resources, and the next action at the edges so the playfield remains readable.
What repeats
- Score, moves, or an opponent kept to the edge.
- Pause or exit small, and away from the main gesture.
- Turn or objective called out only when it changes.
What varies
- 8 Ball Pool adds a power meter and cue spin when it is your turn.
- Candy Crush Saga and Archero 2 cover the board with a continue or level-up choice, then return to the field.
Questions
When should a popup cover the board?
When the match cannot continue without a choice, as in Candy Crush’s extra moves or Archero’s skill pick. Otherwise the board stays clear.
How should a designer use these references?
Sketch the playfield first, then place only the counters the player needs for the next action.
Examples from shipping games
More In Game stills
8 Ball Pool™
Opponent headers, the stake, a power meter, and cue spin, with “It’s your turn.”
Bus Escape: Traffic Jam
The board is the screen. A move counter and pause sit at the edges.
Angry Birds Dream Blast
The bubble field fills the portrait screen. Chrome is a faint skip control.
Archero 2
A level-up overlay of three skill cards, with the wave HUD and joystick still visible underneath.
Candy Crush Saga
A continue popup for more moves, priced in gold, over a dimmed board.
Clash Royale
Elixir, the card hand, and both tower health bars stay on screen for the whole push.
Sign up for free to continue browsing
The 6 screens above are the public sample of in game screens. An account opens the rest of the library, including flows and mechanics.
Join for free