HUD is short for Heads Up Display.
In video and computer games, the HUD is the display area where players can see their character’s vital statistics such as current health, bonus attributes, armor level, ammunition count, and more.
Accessible but Virtually Unnoticed
In most games, developers strive to create a HUD that does not intrude upon gameplay (i.e. it should be virtually unnoticed) but be accessible at a glance when the player needs it (i.e. the player can do battle, focusing on the gameplay but easily observe the character’s health and other vital statistics).
HUD Attributes
What attributes are shown in the HUD differs depending on the type of game played and the game itself. Some HUDs may show only health-related details, others may show commonly used items or game functions.
- See All About Multiplayer PC Gaming in Webopedia’s “Did You Know…?” section.
- Also see related terms GUI and interface.
