Metroid Prime 4: Beyond won’t be released until next year, but if you’re eager to hear more about this highly anticipated release, read on…
Just weeks after the initial reveal, Retro Studios’ lead UI artist, John Wofford, has shared some insights into his involvement in the development of the fourth installment and his work on Samus’ mask as well as the heads-up display (HUD) you see in the game:
“Metroid Prime 4 was an amazing project, and my favorite part was designing, crafting, and animating Samus’ HUD. I learned a lot during MPR, and I hope that shows… I think the trailer also does a good job of showing that the HUD doesn’t have to bother trying to compete with the amazing environments, characters, lighting, animation, and visual effects… I’m constantly humbled by the talent on this team.”
on him Art Station PageWofford goes into more detail, mentioning how “HUD was a true labor of love”:
“Metroid Prime 4: Beyond reveal trailer. The HUD was really hard work, and I’m so happy to finally share it… A great look at the HUD in combat. The goal was to create a modern update to the mask that honors the legacy of Metroid Prime.”
It also shows off animations of scans, transitions, UI details on Samus’ mask, and even her Morph Ball display. If you look closely at certain shots in the trailer, you can also see Wofford’s work on the UI displayed on computer screens in one scene (see below).
John Wofford also worked as a user interface artist on Metroid Prime Remastered, which is set to be released on Nintendo Switch in 2023.
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