HUD (computer games ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HUD_(computer_games) Last accessed 28/05/06

The word HUD is short for Head-Up and is what is used in games to show users options and menus that are always statically on the screen. HUD’S are also used in the military by fighter planes in the pilot’s helmets.
These play a big role in the usability of a game and can also defect how a player looks at a game, since if the HUD design is bad they may think the whole game design will be as well and stop playing.