On a gem help screen, a control should be identifiable by what it does, not only by where it appears. A position-based instruction can fail when the same panel is rearranged. Match the label to the intended help function.
Why position alone can mislead
Hypothetical example: an instruction says, “Press the triangle on the right.” In one layout, a triangle appears at the right edge. In an alternate layout, the same triangle moves below the explanation, while another triangle appears beside a different panel. The shape and location no longer identify the function reliably.
A clearer instruction is “Open Symbol Help”. The wording identifies the purpose even if the control moves above, below, or beside the text. The triangle may remain useful as an appearance cue, but it should support the textual name rather than replace it.
Match the name to the help function
In the fictional example, consider these two controls in an independent help panel:
| Control name | What it identifies |
|---|---|
| Open Symbol Help | An explanation panel for symbols |
| Close Help | The action that dismisses that panel |
Locate the textual label, then confirm that the surrounding explanation belongs to the help panel. This approach avoids confusing similarly shaped controls without asking you to activate any unnamed monetary or game action.
What a more adaptable instruction looks like
Prefer: “Select Open Symbol Help in the independent help panel.” Avoid: “Select the triangle on the right.” The first instruction remains meaningful after a layout change; the second depends on position and shape. WCAG guidance says instructions should not rely solely on characteristics such as shape, colour, size, location, orientation, or sound; supplementary names can clarify the target. Read the W3C guidance on sensory characteristics.
This check concerns interface comprehension only. A visible name can identify a function, but it does not establish what any separate game screen, payment prompt, or result means.