UI Components Easy

Game — Loading Screen (tips + progress)

A full-screen game loading screen with a layered CSS-drawn key-art backdrop — violet moon, silhouetted citadel spires with flickering windows, rising embers, and fog — over a dark neon HUD. Includes a zone lore panel with stat chips, a rotating gameplay TIP line, an animated spinner glyph, and a determinate progress bar with percentage and stage labels. Vanilla JS simulates a variable-speed load with random hitches, then reveals a pulsing press-any-key prompt; a replay button restarts the sequence.

Open in Lab

html css vanilla-js

Targets: JS HTML

Code

:root {
  --bg: #0a0b10;
  --bg-2: #12131c;
  --panel: #171926;
  --panel-2: #1f2233;
  --text: #e7e9f3;
  --muted: #9aa0bf;
  --line: rgba(231, 233, 243, 0.10);
  --line-2: rgba(231, 233, 243, 0.18);
  --accent: #00e5ff;
  --accent-2: #7c4dff;
  --accent-3: #ff3d71;
  --success: #36e27a;
  --warn: #ffc857;
  --danger: #ff4d4d;
  --glow: 0 0 18px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.45);
  --r-sm: 6px;
  --r-md: 10px;
  --r-lg: 16px;
  --font-display: "Orbitron", sans-serif;
  --font-body: "Inter", sans-serif;
}

*,
*::before,
*::after {
  box-sizing: border-box;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
}

html,
body {
  height: 100%;
}

body {
  background: var(--bg);
  color: var(--text);
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  line-height: 1.5;
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
}

button {
  font: inherit;
  color: inherit;
  cursor: pointer;
  background: none;
  border: none;
}

button:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
  outline-offset: 3px;
  border-radius: var(--r-sm);
}

/* ============ Layout ============ */
.loading-screen {
  position: relative;
  min-height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: space-between;
  overflow: hidden;
  padding: clamp(16px, 3vw, 40px);
  gap: 24px;
}

/* ============ CSS key art ============ */
.keyart {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.keyart__sky {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background:
    radial-gradient(ellipse 90% 60% at 70% 18%, rgba(124, 77, 255, 0.22), transparent 60%),
    radial-gradient(ellipse 70% 50% at 30% 30%, rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.10), transparent 65%),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #0b0d18 0%, #11101f 45%, #1a1226 75%, #0a0b10 100%);
}

.keyart__moon {
  position: absolute;
  top: 9%;
  right: 14%;
  width: clamp(90px, 12vw, 160px);
  height: clamp(90px, 12vw, 160px);
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: radial-gradient(circle at 38% 34%, #f2ecff 0%, #b9a8e8 45%, #6f5aa8 100%);
  box-shadow:
    0 0 60px rgba(186, 160, 255, 0.45),
    0 0 140px rgba(124, 77, 255, 0.35);
  opacity: 0.9;
}

.keyart__moon::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: -18%;
  border-radius: 50%;
  border: 1px solid rgba(186, 160, 255, 0.25);
}

.keyart__ridge {
  position: absolute;
  left: -5%;
  right: -5%;
  height: 46%;
  bottom: -4%;
}

.keyart__ridge--far {
  background: #181530;
  clip-path: polygon(0 62%, 9% 48%, 18% 58%, 30% 38%, 41% 55%, 55% 33%, 66% 52%, 78% 40%, 90% 56%, 100% 44%, 100% 100%, 0 100%);
  opacity: 0.85;
}

.keyart__ridge--mid {
  background: #120f24;
  clip-path: polygon(0 70%, 12% 52%, 24% 66%, 38% 46%, 52% 64%, 64% 44%, 79% 62%, 91% 50%, 100% 60%, 100% 100%, 0 100%);
}

.keyart__ridge--near {
  background: #0a0912;
  height: 26%;
  clip-path: polygon(0 60%, 14% 44%, 27% 58%, 45% 40%, 60% 56%, 76% 42%, 88% 54%, 100% 46%, 100% 100%, 0 100%);
}

.keyart__citadel {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 18%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-end;
  gap: clamp(8px, 1.4vw, 18px);
  filter: drop-shadow(0 0 30px rgba(255, 61, 113, 0.25));
}

.spire {
  display: block;
  width: clamp(18px, 3vw, 40px);
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, #241b3a 0%, #0e0a1c 100%);
  clip-path: polygon(50% 0, 100% 12%, 100% 100%, 0 100%, 0 12%);
  position: relative;
}

.spire::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 18%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  width: 4px;
  height: 4px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--accent-3);
  box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(255, 61, 113, 0.9), 0 0 22px rgba(255, 61, 113, 0.6);
  animation: window-flicker 3.2s ease-in-out infinite;
}

.spire--1 { height: clamp(70px, 11vw, 150px); }
.spire--2 { height: clamp(110px, 16vw, 220px); animation-delay: 0.4s; }
.spire--3 { height: clamp(150px, 22vw, 300px); }
.spire--4 { height: clamp(100px, 15vw, 200px); }
.spire--5 { height: clamp(65px, 10vw, 140px); }

.spire--3::after { animation-delay: 1.1s; }
.spire--4::after { animation-delay: 0.6s; }
.spire--5::after { animation-delay: 1.7s; }

@keyframes window-flicker {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
  45% { opacity: 0.35; }
  55% { opacity: 0.9; }
  60% { opacity: 0.4; }
}

.keyart__fog {
  position: absolute;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  height: 38%;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent, rgba(124, 77, 255, 0.08) 40%, rgba(10, 11, 16, 0.9));
}

.keyart__embers i {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: -10px;
  width: 3px;
  height: 3px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--accent-3);
  box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(255, 61, 113, 0.8);
  opacity: 0;
  animation: ember-rise 9s linear infinite;
}

.keyart__embers i:nth-child(1)  { left: 6%;  animation-delay: 0s;   animation-duration: 10s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(2)  { left: 14%; animation-delay: 2.2s; animation-duration: 8s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(3)  { left: 23%; animation-delay: 4.8s; animation-duration: 11s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(4)  { left: 32%; animation-delay: 1.1s; animation-duration: 9s; background: var(--accent); box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(0,229,255,0.8); }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(5)  { left: 41%; animation-delay: 6s;   animation-duration: 12s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(6)  { left: 50%; animation-delay: 3.4s; animation-duration: 8.5s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(7)  { left: 58%; animation-delay: 0.8s; animation-duration: 10.5s; background: var(--accent-2); box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(124,77,255,0.8); }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(8)  { left: 67%; animation-delay: 5.5s; animation-duration: 9.5s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(9)  { left: 75%; animation-delay: 2.9s; animation-duration: 11.5s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(10) { left: 83%; animation-delay: 7.2s; animation-duration: 8s; background: var(--accent); box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(0,229,255,0.8); }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(11) { left: 90%; animation-delay: 4.1s; animation-duration: 10s; }
.keyart__embers i:nth-child(12) { left: 96%; animation-delay: 1.7s; animation-duration: 12.5s; }

@keyframes ember-rise {
  0%   { transform: translateY(0) translateX(0); opacity: 0; }
  8%   { opacity: 0.9; }
  60%  { opacity: 0.6; }
  100% { transform: translateY(-78vh) translateX(24px); opacity: 0; }
}

.keyart__scanlines {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: repeating-linear-gradient(180deg, transparent 0 3px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.12) 3px 4px);
  opacity: 0.5;
}

.keyart__vignette {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: radial-gradient(ellipse 110% 90% at 50% 40%, transparent 50%, rgba(6, 7, 12, 0.85) 100%);
}

/* ============ Top bar ============ */
.topbar {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 16px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.topbar__brand {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 14px;
}

.topbar__logo {
  width: 44px;
  height: 44px;
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, var(--accent-2), var(--accent));
  clip-path: polygon(50% 0, 100% 27%, 100% 73%, 50% 100%, 0 73%, 0 27%);
  box-shadow: var(--glow);
  animation: logo-pulse 2.8s ease-in-out infinite;
}

@keyframes logo-pulse {
  0%, 100% { filter: brightness(1); }
  50% { filter: brightness(1.35); }
}

.topbar__title {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: 18px;
  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
  text-shadow: 0 0 14px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.35);
}

.topbar__studio {
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: var(--muted);
  letter-spacing: 0.14em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
}

.topbar__meta {
  display: flex;
  gap: 10px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.chip {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  padding: 8px 14px;
  background: rgba(23, 25, 38, 0.8);
  border: 1px solid var(--line-2);
  clip-path: polygon(10px 0, 100% 0, calc(100% - 10px) 100%, 0 100%);
  backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
}

.chip--zone {
  color: var(--accent);
  border-color: rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.4);
}

.chip--build {
  color: var(--muted);
}

/* ============ Lore panel ============ */
.lore {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  max-width: 560px;
  background: linear-gradient(160deg, rgba(23, 25, 38, 0.88), rgba(18, 19, 28, 0.82));
  border: 1px solid var(--line-2);
  border-left: 3px solid var(--accent-2);
  border-radius: var(--r-lg);
  padding: clamp(18px, 2.5vw, 28px);
  backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
  box-shadow: 0 18px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45), inset 0 1px 0 rgba(231, 233, 243, 0.06);
  animation: lore-in 0.9s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.7, 0.2, 1) both;
}

@keyframes lore-in {
  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(18px); }
  to   { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}

.lore__zone {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: clamp(22px, 3.4vw, 32px);
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--text), var(--accent));
  -webkit-background-clip: text;
  background-clip: text;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.lore__blurb {
  color: var(--muted);
  font-size: 15px;
  margin-bottom: 18px;
}

.lore__stats {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 10px;
}

.stat {
  background: var(--panel-2);
  border: 1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius: var(--r-md);
  padding: 10px 12px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 2px;
  transition: border-color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
}

.stat:hover {
  border-color: rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.45);
  box-shadow: 0 0 14px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.18);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

.stat__label {
  font-size: 10px;
  font-weight: 700;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.stat__value {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 14px;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
}

.stat__value--danger { color: var(--accent-3); text-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(255, 61, 113, 0.45); }
.stat__value--accent { color: var(--accent); text-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.45); }

/* ============ Bottom HUD ============ */
.hud {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 18px;
}

.hud__tip {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 12px;
  max-width: 760px;
}

.hud__tip-tag {
  flex-shrink: 0;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 900;
  font-size: 11px;
  letter-spacing: 0.2em;
  color: #061015;
  background: var(--accent);
  padding: 6px 12px;
  clip-path: polygon(8px 0, 100% 0, calc(100% - 8px) 100%, 0 100%);
  box-shadow: var(--glow);
}

.hud__tip-text {
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: var(--text);
  text-shadow: 0 1px 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7);
  transition: opacity 0.35s ease, transform 0.35s ease;
}

.hud__tip-text.is-swapping {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(6px);
}

.hud__progress-row {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 18px;
}

/* Loader glyph */
.loader-glyph {
  position: relative;
  width: 46px;
  height: 46px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.loader-glyph__ring {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  border-radius: 50%;
  border: 2px solid rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.18);
  border-top-color: var(--accent);
  border-right-color: var(--accent-2);
  animation: glyph-spin 1.1s linear infinite;
  box-shadow: 0 0 16px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.25);
}

.loader-glyph__core {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 14px;
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, var(--accent), var(--accent-2));
  clip-path: polygon(50% 0, 100% 50%, 50% 100%, 0 50%);
  animation: glyph-pulse 1.4s ease-in-out infinite;
}

@keyframes glyph-spin {
  to { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

@keyframes glyph-pulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.55; transform: scale(0.85); }
  50% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }
}

.loader-glyph.is-done .loader-glyph__ring {
  animation: none;
  border-color: var(--success);
  box-shadow: 0 0 16px rgba(54, 226, 122, 0.45);
}

.loader-glyph.is-done .loader-glyph__core {
  animation: none;
  opacity: 1;
  background: var(--success);
}

/* Progress bar */
.progress {
  flex: 1;
  min-width: 0;
}

.progress__track {
  position: relative;
  height: 16px;
  background: rgba(23, 25, 38, 0.9);
  border: 1px solid var(--line-2);
  clip-path: polygon(8px 0, 100% 0, calc(100% - 8px) 100%, 0 100%);
  overflow: hidden;
}

.progress__fill {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 2px auto 2px 2px;
  width: 0%;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--accent-2), var(--accent));
  clip-path: polygon(6px 0, 100% 0, calc(100% - 6px) 100%, 0 100%);
  box-shadow: 0 0 16px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.55);
  transition: width 0.18s ease-out;
}

.progress.is-done .progress__fill {
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--accent), var(--success));
  box-shadow: 0 0 18px rgba(54, 226, 122, 0.55);
}

.progress__sheen {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(105deg, transparent 30%, rgba(231, 233, 243, 0.22) 50%, transparent 70%);
  transform: translateX(-100%);
  animation: sheen-slide 2.2s ease-in-out infinite;
}

@keyframes sheen-slide {
  to { transform: translateX(100%); }
}

.progress__meta {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: baseline;
  margin-top: 8px;
  gap: 12px;
}

.progress__status {
  font-size: 12px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--muted);
}

.progress__pct {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 20px;
  color: var(--accent);
  text-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.5);
  font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
}

.progress.is-done .progress__pct {
  color: var(--success);
  text-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(54, 226, 122, 0.5);
}

/* Continue prompt */
.hud__continue {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
}

.continue-btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 12px;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 15px;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  color: var(--text);
  background: linear-gradient(160deg, rgba(31, 34, 51, 0.95), rgba(23, 25, 38, 0.95));
  border: 1px solid rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.5);
  padding: 14px 28px;
  clip-path: polygon(14px 0, 100% 0, calc(100% - 14px) 100%, 0 100%);
  box-shadow: var(--glow);
  animation: continue-pulse 1.6s ease-in-out infinite, lore-in 0.5s ease both;
  transition: transform 0.15s ease, filter 0.15s ease;
}

.continue-btn:hover {
  filter: brightness(1.25);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

.continue-btn:active {
  transform: translateY(0) scale(0.98);
}

.continue-btn__key {
  display: inline-grid;
  place-items: center;
  width: 28px;
  height: 28px;
  font-size: 14px;
  background: var(--accent);
  color: #061015;
  border-radius: var(--r-sm);
  box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.6);
}

@keyframes continue-pulse {
  0%, 100% { box-shadow: 0 0 14px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.35); }
  50% { box-shadow: 0 0 26px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.65); }
}

/* Restart button */
.restart-btn {
  position: absolute;
  top: clamp(16px, 3vw, 40px);
  right: clamp(16px, 3vw, 40px);
  z-index: 3;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.14em;
  color: var(--muted);
  background: rgba(23, 25, 38, 0.7);
  border: 1px solid var(--line-2);
  border-radius: var(--r-sm);
  padding: 8px 12px;
  transition: color 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
  /* sits visually under topbar meta on wide screens; offset below */
  transform: translateY(52px);
}

.restart-btn:hover {
  color: var(--accent);
  border-color: rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.5);
  box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.25);
}

/* Toast */
.toast {
  position: fixed;
  left: 50%;
  bottom: 28px;
  transform: translate(-50%, 16px);
  z-index: 10;
  background: var(--panel-2);
  border: 1px solid rgba(0, 229, 255, 0.45);
  color: var(--text);
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 600;
  padding: 10px 18px;
  border-radius: var(--r-md);
  box-shadow: var(--glow);
  opacity: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  transition: opacity 0.25s ease, transform 0.25s ease;
}

.toast.is-visible {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translate(-50%, 0);
}

/* Flash on key press */
.loading-screen.is-launching::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 9;
  background: var(--text);
  animation: launch-flash 0.6s ease-out forwards;
  pointer-events: none;
}

@keyframes launch-flash {
  0% { opacity: 0; }
  25% { opacity: 0.85; }
  100% { opacity: 0; }
}

/* Reduced motion */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  *,
  *::before,
  *::after {
    animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
    transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
  }
}

/* ============ Responsive ============ */
@media (max-width: 760px) {
  .lore__stats {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 520px) {
  .loading-screen {
    padding: 14px;
    gap: 18px;
  }

  .topbar {
    flex-direction: column;
  }

  .topbar__title {
    font-size: 15px;
  }

  .chip {
    font-size: 10px;
    padding: 6px 10px;
  }

  .lore {
    max-width: 100%;
    padding: 16px;
  }

  .lore__stats {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }

  .hud__progress-row {
    gap: 12px;
  }

  .loader-glyph {
    width: 36px;
    height: 36px;
  }

  .loader-glyph__core {
    inset: 11px;
  }

  .progress__pct {
    font-size: 16px;
  }

  .continue-btn {
    font-size: 12px;
    padding: 12px 18px;
    letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  }

  .restart-btn {
    transform: none;
    position: static;
    align-self: flex-end;
    order: -1;
  }

  .keyart__moon {
    right: 6%;
  }
}

(() => {
  "use strict";

  // ---------- Elements ----------
  const screen = document.getElementById("loadingScreen");
  const fill = document.getElementById("progressFill");
  const pctEl = document.getElementById("progressPct");
  const bar = document.getElementById("progressBar");
  const statusEl = document.getElementById("progressStatus");
  const tipText = document.getElementById("tipText");
  const continuePrompt = document.getElementById("continuePrompt");
  const continueBtn = document.getElementById("continueBtn");
  const restartBtn = document.getElementById("restartBtn");
  const glyph = document.getElementById("loaderGlyph");
  const toastEl = document.getElementById("toast");

  // ---------- Data ----------
  const TIPS = [
    "Parrying just before impact refunds 30% stamina and staggers Hollow enemies.",
    "Ember shards glow brighter near hidden walls. Follow the light.",
    "The Hollow Court is weak to Voltcraft. Socket a Storm Rune before the gates.",
    "Sprinting drains Resolve in Nightmare tier — pace your approach to the Citadel.",
    "You can re-spec at any Vanguard bonfire for 200 ash marks.",
    "Bell Wardens telegraph their slam twice. The third toll is the real one.",
    "Co-op partners share ember pickups in Act III. Be generous — or don't.",
    "Holding the dodge key performs a phase-step through thin projectiles.",
  ];

  const STATUS_STAGES = [
    [0, "Initializing world state…"],
    [12, "Streaming terrain — Ashen Reach…"],
    [28, "Decompressing citadel geometry…"],
    [45, "Loading Hollow Court AI behaviors…"],
    [62, "Compiling shaders (gloomlight pass)…"],
    [78, "Spawning entities + loot tables…"],
    [90, "Syncing Vanguard profile…"],
    [97, "Finalizing…"],
  ];

  // ---------- Toast ----------
  let toastTimer = null;
  function toast(msg) {
    toastEl.textContent = msg;
    toastEl.classList.add("is-visible");
    clearTimeout(toastTimer);
    toastTimer = setTimeout(() => toastEl.classList.remove("is-visible"), 2200);
  }

  // ---------- Tips rotation ----------
  let tipIndex = 0;
  let tipTimer = null;

  function cycleTip() {
    tipText.classList.add("is-swapping");
    setTimeout(() => {
      tipIndex = (tipIndex + 1) % TIPS.length;
      tipText.textContent = TIPS[tipIndex];
      tipText.classList.remove("is-swapping");
    }, 350);
  }

  function startTips() {
    stopTips();
    tipTimer = setInterval(cycleTip, 4200);
  }

  function stopTips() {
    if (tipTimer) clearInterval(tipTimer);
    tipTimer = null;
  }

  // ---------- Load simulation ----------
  let progress = 0;
  let rafId = null;
  let hitchUntil = 0;
  let done = false;

  function statusFor(p) {
    let label = STATUS_STAGES[0][1];
    for (const [threshold, text] of STATUS_STAGES) {
      if (p >= threshold) label = text;
    }
    return label;
  }

  function render() {
    const p = Math.min(100, Math.floor(progress));
    fill.style.width = p + "%";
    pctEl.textContent = p + "%";
    bar.setAttribute("aria-valuenow", String(p));
    statusEl.textContent = done ? "Load complete" : statusFor(p);
  }

  function tick(now) {
    if (done) return;

    if (now >= hitchUntil) {
      // Variable speed: fast early, slow near milestones, with random hitches.
      const remaining = 100 - progress;
      let speed = 0.08 + Math.random() * 0.5 + remaining * 0.004;

      // Slow crawl in the last stretch for drama.
      if (progress > 88) speed *= 0.3;

      progress += speed;

      // Occasional hitch: freeze for 250–900ms (more likely mid-load).
      if (Math.random() < 0.025 && progress < 94) {
        hitchUntil = now + 250 + Math.random() * 650;
      }
    }

    if (progress >= 100) {
      progress = 100;
      finishLoad();
    }

    render();
    if (!done) rafId = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
  }

  function finishLoad() {
    done = true;
    render();
    stopTips();
    glyph.classList.add("is-done");
    document.querySelector(".progress").classList.add("is-done");
    continuePrompt.hidden = false;
    continueBtn.focus();
    document.addEventListener("keydown", onAnyKey);
    toast("Load complete — press any key");
  }

  function onAnyKey(e) {
    // Ignore modifier-only presses and let the restart button keep working.
    if (["Shift", "Control", "Alt", "Meta"].includes(e.key)) return;
    launch();
  }

  function launch() {
    document.removeEventListener("keydown", onAnyKey);
    screen.classList.add("is-launching");
    toast("Entering The Ashen Citadel…");
    setTimeout(() => screen.classList.remove("is-launching"), 700);
  }

  // ---------- Restart ----------
  function restart() {
    cancelAnimationFrame(rafId);
    document.removeEventListener("keydown", onAnyKey);
    screen.classList.remove("is-launching");

    progress = 0;
    done = false;
    hitchUntil = 0;
    glyph.classList.remove("is-done");
    document.querySelector(".progress").classList.remove("is-done");
    continuePrompt.hidden = true;

    render();
    startTips();
    rafId = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
    toast("Replaying load sequence");
  }

  // ---------- Wire up ----------
  continueBtn.addEventListener("click", launch);
  restartBtn.addEventListener("click", (e) => {
    e.stopPropagation();
    restart();
  });

  // ---------- Boot ----------
  render();
  startTips();
  rafId = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
})();

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8" />
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
  <title>Hollow Reign — Loading</title>
  <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com" />
  <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin />
  <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Orbitron:wght@500;700;900&family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700;800&display=swap" rel="stylesheet" />
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" />
</head>
<body>
  <main class="loading-screen" id="loadingScreen" aria-label="Game loading screen">

    <!-- CSS-drawn key art backdrop -->
    <div class="keyart" aria-hidden="true">
      <div class="keyart__sky"></div>
      <div class="keyart__moon"></div>
      <div class="keyart__ridge keyart__ridge--far"></div>
      <div class="keyart__ridge keyart__ridge--mid"></div>
      <div class="keyart__citadel">
        <span class="spire spire--1"></span>
        <span class="spire spire--2"></span>
        <span class="spire spire--3"></span>
        <span class="spire spire--4"></span>
        <span class="spire spire--5"></span>
      </div>
      <div class="keyart__ridge keyart__ridge--near"></div>
      <div class="keyart__fog"></div>
      <div class="keyart__embers">
        <i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i><i></i>
      </div>
      <div class="keyart__scanlines"></div>
      <div class="keyart__vignette"></div>
    </div>

    <!-- Top bar -->
    <header class="topbar">
      <div class="topbar__brand">
        <span class="topbar__logo" aria-hidden="true"></span>
        <div>
          <p class="topbar__title">HOLLOW REIGN</p>
          <p class="topbar__studio">Nullforge Interactive</p>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div class="topbar__meta">
        <span class="chip chip--zone" id="zoneChip">ENTERING&nbsp;·&nbsp;THE ASHEN CITADEL</span>
        <span class="chip chip--build">BUILD 1.4.2 · ACT III</span>
      </div>
    </header>

    <!-- Lore panel -->
    <section class="lore" aria-label="Zone lore">
      <h1 class="lore__zone">The Ashen Citadel</h1>
      <p class="lore__blurb">
        Once the seat of the Hollow Kings, the Citadel now burns with a fire that gives no heat.
        Its gates have not opened in three hundred years — and yet tonight, something inside is
        ringing the bells. The Vanguard does not send soldiers here. It sends you.
      </p>
      <div class="lore__stats">
        <div class="stat">
          <span class="stat__label">Recommended Level</span>
          <span class="stat__value">42+</span>
        </div>
        <div class="stat">
          <span class="stat__label">Faction Control</span>
          <span class="stat__value stat__value--danger">Hollow Court</span>
        </div>
        <div class="stat">
          <span class="stat__label">World Tier</span>
          <span class="stat__value stat__value--accent">Nightmare</span>
        </div>
      </div>
    </section>

    <!-- Bottom HUD: tip + progress -->
    <footer class="hud">
      <div class="hud__tip" id="tipBox" aria-live="polite">
        <span class="hud__tip-tag" aria-hidden="true">TIP</span>
        <p class="hud__tip-text" id="tipText">Parrying just before impact refunds 30% stamina and staggers Hollow enemies.</p>
      </div>

      <div class="hud__progress-row">
        <div class="loader-glyph" id="loaderGlyph" aria-hidden="true">
          <span class="loader-glyph__ring"></span>
          <span class="loader-glyph__core"></span>
        </div>

        <div class="progress" role="progressbar" aria-label="Loading progress"
             aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="0" id="progressBar">
          <div class="progress__track">
            <div class="progress__fill" id="progressFill"></div>
            <div class="progress__sheen" aria-hidden="true"></div>
          </div>
          <div class="progress__meta">
            <span class="progress__status" id="progressStatus">Initializing world state…</span>
            <span class="progress__pct" id="progressPct">0%</span>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>

      <div class="hud__continue" id="continuePrompt" hidden>
        <button class="continue-btn" id="continueBtn">
          <span class="continue-btn__key" aria-hidden="true">⏎</span>
          PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE
        </button>
      </div>
    </footer>

    <!-- Restart control -->
    <button class="restart-btn" id="restartBtn" type="button" aria-label="Replay loading sequence">
      ⟲ Replay Load
    </button>

    <div class="toast" id="toast" role="status" aria-live="polite"></div>
  </main>

  <script src="script.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

Loading Screen (tips + progress)

A full-bleed in-game loading screen for the fictional action RPG Hollow Reign by Nullforge Interactive. The backdrop is drawn entirely in CSS: a gradient night sky with a glowing violet moon, layered mountain ridges built with clip-path, a citadel of silhouetted spires with flickering ember-red windows, drifting fog, rising ember particles, scanlines, and a vignette. Over it sits a lore panel for the zone being entered (“The Ashen Citadel”) with recommended level, faction control, and world-tier stat chips.

The bottom HUD carries the loading state: a neon “TIP” tag with a gameplay hint that cross-fades to a new tip every few seconds, an animated dual-ring spinner glyph, and an angled determinate progress bar with a moving sheen, a stage-based status label (“Streaming terrain…”, “Compiling shaders…”), and an Orbitron percentage readout. The script ramps progress at variable speed with occasional realistic hitches and a slow final crawl.

At 100% the spinner and bar flip to a success state and a pulsing “Press any key to continue” prompt appears — clicking it or pressing any key fires a launch flash and a toast. A “Replay Load” button resets everything and runs the simulation again. The progressbar exposes proper role/aria-valuenow attributes, tips announce via aria-live, and all controls are keyboard-accessible with visible focus rings.

Illustrative UI only — fictional games, studios, characters, and data. Not engine integrations.