Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Lead UI Artist Details Samus’ Visor and HUD
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond won’t be out until next year, but if you want more information about this anticipated release, read on…
Just a few weeks after the initial reveal, Jon Wofford, lead UI artist at Retro Studios, shared some details about his involvement in the development of the fourth installment and his work on Samus’ visor as well as the heads-up display (HUD) you see in the game:
“Metroid Prime 4 was a dream project, and my favorite part was designing, crafting, and animating Samus’ HUD. I learned a lot in MPR, and I hope that shows… I think the trailer also did a good job of showing that the HUD doesn’t have to try to compete with the amazing environments, characters, lighting, animation, VFX… I’m constantly humbled by the talent of this team.”
On his Artstation PageWofford goes a bit deeper when mentioning how “the HUD is truly a labor of love”:
“Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launch trailer. The HUD is a real labor of love, and I’m excited to finally share it…. A nice look at the HUD in combat. The goal was to create a modern update to the visor that honors the Metroid Prime legacy.”
He also shows off panning animations, transitions, FUI details on Samus’s visor, and even her Morph Ball HUD. If you look closely at some of the shots throughout the trailer, you can also see Wofford’s work on the UI being rendered on a computer screen in one scene (see below).
Jon Wofford also works as a UI artist on Metroid Prime Remakereleased on Nintendo Switch in 2023.
