This discovery phase involved exploring the concept of divine power and godlike presence that players embody as Immortals. We began with comprehensive research into RTS interface design patterns, analyzing both classic titles and modern innovations to understand what makes interfaces intuitive for strategy gamers. This phase involved studying how players interact with complex information during high-pressure gameplay scenarios, examining successful HUD layouts that balance information density with visual clarity.

Recognizing the distinct needs of the Main HUB (progression and onboarding) versus the Main HUD (real-time strategy), we developed separate but cohesive UX strategies for each interface system. The HUB prototype focused on player journey mapping, progression visualization, and feature discovery, while the HUD prototype prioritized rapid information processing and command execution. We prototyped multiple interaction patterns for the selection grid, action bars, and status displays.

We built a comprehensive UI system that translated the game's divine mythology into functional interface elements. This included designing custom iconography that reflected the multi-world stone aesthetic, creating typography hierarchies that conveyed both elegance and readability under pressure. We established the thematic progression from majestic white stone environments representing divine grandeur to darker, grittier atmospheres symbolizing the chaos of war—creating a cohesive emotional journey through the interface.

Our testing phase balanced the immersive, lore-rich design with accessibility and usability requirements for diverse player types, while conducting extensive usability testing with RTS players, focusing on task completion speed, information retrieval accuracy, and decision-making efficiency during simulated battle scenarios. We refined the design based on feedback to maintain the epic, godlike feeling while ensuring no player was excluded from the strategic depth of IMMORTAL: Gates of Pyre.