Loading indicators in most video games aren’t real progress gauges. In fact, a look at reports from Rock Paper Shotgun points to developers’ posts on social media as the clue to what players often see on screen. The chatter around how loading bars behave stretches beyond a single studio and taps into a broader conversation about user experience in game design.
The mystery around streaks and other on-screen loading cues came into sharper focus after a humorous tweet from comedian Alasdair Bucket-King. He joked that games should begin by crafting smooth loading indicators that fill evenly and display an accurate countdown for completion. The quip suggested a simple workflow: once the indicator is polished, the rest of the visuals—graphics, character animations, and gameplay elements—could follow with less friction.
The joke didn’t vanish in the ether. Developers and industry insiders weighed in, explaining how, in practice, many games rely on loading visuals that don’t precisely reflect actual processing time. The consensus among several creators is that honest, perfectly synchronized bars are not a common practice, and the real loading experience often feels different from what players expect.
One prominent voice in the discussion, Rubio Munariz, founder of Tequila Works, described how loading visuals frequently diverge from real progress. He noted that many teams still include loading strips that, in execution, appear to stretch or compress to maintain pacing. When a seamless bar isn’t feasible, he explained, studios often revert to a spinning wheel as a reliable fallback because it alters the perception of wait time without breaking the rhythm of the game.
Another developer, Mike Bittell of Subsurface Circular, offered a candid opinion about player perception. He observed that players tend not to trust a bar that fills evenly, because human attention responds to irregularities—brief pauses, sudden jumps, and irregular pacing feel more believable. In some projects he’s worked on, intentional variations in loading behavior were introduced to mimic the imperfect nature of real-world processes, creating a more convincing waiting experience for the audience.
In another studio exchange, Vladimir Bogdanchik from the Croatian team Under the Stairs described a practical use for an imagined loading screen during a transition, specifically for Eyes in the Dark. He explained that even when the actual download was instantaneous, an artificial screen could smooth the flow from the start menu to game action. The effect, in his view, was less about data transfer and more about maintaining a calm, engaging pace for players as they prepare to dive in.
Throughout the industry, the discourse reveals a tension between truth and storytelling in the interface. While some studios strive for a transparent, time-accurate progress bar, others prioritize narrative timing, pacing, and visual motivation. The undercurrent of this discussion shows that loading screens function as a bridge—between the moment a player hits start and the moment they control a character in the game world. The design choices reflect a balance between measurable delay and perceived readiness, with the ultimate goal of keeping players immersed rather than frustrated.
Analysts and developers alike acknowledge that there is no universal rule for loading indicators. What matters most is how the indicator contributes to the overall experience: does it reduce anxiety, maintain immersion, or simply fill the screen with something visually appealing while background work completes? The varied approaches—from precise, evenly progressing bars to deliberately imperfect sequences—illustrate a broad spectrum of tactics used to manage player expectations and maintain engagement during loading, no matter the platform or genre. When done thoughtfully, these cues support smooth transitions and minimize perceived wait times, which can be just as impactful as the actual processing speed behind the scenes.
Ultimately, the conversation underscores a shared goal across developers: crafting loading experiences that feel purposeful and cohesive with the game’s world. Whether a studio chooses a technically accurate countdown, a stylized progress arc, or a dynamic, non-linear loading sequence, the aim remains the same—keeping players engaged, informed, and ready to dive into gameplay as soon as possible. The ongoing dialogue among creators, critics, and players continues to shape how loading indicators are designed, tested, and refined in the ever-evolving landscape of modern games.