GUIDE: User Interface tools and middleware

Gone are the days when game user interfaces were just a sequence of simple menus and the odd settings slider – with social networking features becoming more and more prevalent, as well as the various front-ends necessary for now-compulsory online multiplayer, getting it right is now more important than ever.

Which is why, to facilitate rapid iteration of UI elements, many studios are now turning to external technology to enable their artists to create interfaces using familiar packages such as Flash.

Our latest tools roundup takes a look at the various players in the game UI market, from tools vendors like Adobe to middleware companies such as Scaleform, Omegame and Trolltech – and even takes a look at Nokia’s latest UI tool for mobile handsets.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out the round-up here.