Enhancing horror atmosphere through retro futuristic user interface design in first-person shooters

Chia, Yi Teng (2026) Enhancing horror atmosphere through retro futuristic user interface design in first-person shooters. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

This thesis investigates the systematic implementation of retro-futuristic User Interface (UI) design to enhance the horror atmosphere and psychological tension within the first person shooter (FPS) game, The Spectral. While contemporary horror titles frequently rely on audio-visual cues and environmental lighting to induce fear, the user interface is often underutilized as a tool for emotional manipulation. Adopting a design-science research approach, this project establishes a distinct visual identity characterized by high contrast monochrome color palettes and rigid pixel typography prototyped within Figma. These assets were technically integrated into Unreal Engine 5 utilizing Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG) and Blueprint visual scripting. Crucially, the interface was programmed to restrict player agency—specifically disabling camera rotation during terminal interactions—to heighten player vulnerability and anxiety. Evaluation through purposive user playtesting ($N=18$) demonstrated that strict, mechanical layout boundaries and intentional user friction successfully amplify the overall survival horror experience. This study concludes that a highly stylized, restrictive interface can effectively transition from a passive information relay into an active psychological asset in atmospheric game development. Keywords: User Interface Design, Retro-Futurism, Survival Horror, Unreal Engine 5, Player Immersion

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