A mostly dead element of video game interface design. In the early days, when processing power was limited, it was not always possible to fill the screen with the action of the game. The Main Window had to be reduced in size, and something was needed to fill the extra space. In some cases, the best the programmers could come up with was to place the game logo and an abbreviated set of instructions in the remaining space. This was also common for ports to home systems of games designed for a tall screen.