Shallow Navigation

Core Behaviour

Logic

Deep menu structures can lead to cognitive overload, making it difficult for users to remember where they are and how to navigate back to essential functions. By keeping the menu structure "wide and shallow," users can easily access key features without needing to remember complex navigation paths.

Addresses

Working memory constraints, disorientation in deep menu structures.

Implementation Specification

Essential setup sequences and "Play" actions are placed at the top level of the menu hierarchy. The architecture is designed to be "wide and shallow," ensuring that recovery options and main gameplay are accessible without traversing multiple sub-menus.

Interaction Patterns

The Neutral Buffer Zone relies on Shallow Navigation architecture to ensure that users can easily find the exit back to the main game after using the "Panic" function.

The Universal Anchor requires Shallow Navigation architecture to ensure the "Safety Menu" options are immediately selectable.

Accessibility Barriers

Cognitive Load, Sequencing & Predictibility/Information Persistence & Memory: By keeping the menu structure "wide and shallow," users can easily access key features without needing to remember complex navigation paths, reducing cognitive load and supporting information persistence.