NOR_Ken
Alpha
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2005
- Posts
- 514
- Location
- Norway
- Society
- Black Angels
Lets get this thread back on track
2024 User Interface Update -> interface update is February 13, 2024
From the initial user interface (UI) presented some time ago to the current one, it seems like they have considered and incorporated information from us users. Many of the points I mentioned in an older post have been integrated into this new design. Please read my previous summary from March 3, 2023. ->
Old Post down on the page
However, am I the only one who is still dissatisfied with the appearance?
Allow me to present some factual information, emphasizing the objective nature of the data rather than conveying any subjective meaning.
Please take a look at the new user interface (UI) and then compare it to the old one. Scroll down, and we can identify and discuss specific elements.
MindArk states the following, and I will supplement it with my comments.
UI Fundamental Changes and Improvements
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• Performance Optimization: A thorough review of all UI windows led to significant enhancements in UI responsiveness, ensuring a smoother Entropia experience.
- I cannot provide comments on this as it needs testing. However, with a more locked or fixed user interface (UI), minimizing the floating elements, I assume it will offer a smoother experience.
• Unified Design Philosophy: We aimed to create a consistent, visually appealing UI. We redesigned elements like fonts (choosing a Sci-Fi style), colors, and text sizes.
- The previous UI maintained consistency and presented a visually appealing effect. The new style appears decent, but there is a significant lack of colors. If any improvement were to be made, allowing users to customize text size would be ideal. For instance, individuals playing on 4K monitors may face challenges, as it seems there is still a lack of options to adjust text size for better readability.
• HUD Transformation: The Heads-Up Display (HUD) redesign reduces clutter, offers a more expansive view of the game world, and enhances the overall user experience.
- Was there ever an issue with the view of the world? This statement seems more like a sales pitch lacking substantial content. The prior system allowed users to manage screen clutter based on their preference, providing the freedom to make those choices ourselves. Tasks that used to require one click now demand four. How does this contribute to an enhanced user experience? I will come back to the design part.
• Optimized Functionality: We repositioned buttons, adjusted window sizes, and removed redundant elements for a more intuitive user experience.
- Transitioning from a stage where I could reposition buttons to the current state where it's done for me represents a downgrade in user experience. This cannot be viewed as an optimization. However, adjusting window size is highly beneficial, particularly when considering the challenges of running the game in 4K, where windows tend to become very small.
• Chat System Revisions: We enhanced the chat system with features like adjustable transparency and improved communication tools within the game.
- There may not be much visible in the photo, but having the ability to adjust anything is always an upgrade. I'm optimistic that text size in the chat can be modified.? Additionally, I hope the option to customize colors remains available. While they emphasize simplifying the user interface, there could be improvements made to the chat and channel system. Not everyone finds it easy to use commands.
• Action Bars & Icon Management: The new action bar management system simplifies customization. The update reduces on-screen icons and enhances visual clarity. Users can assign icons to a maximum of five bars, each with ten actions and three pages, allowing 150 assignable actions. Keybinds are now possible with modifiers (CTRL and SHIFT) and are not limited to the dashboard or action bar.
- This update reduces the number of on-screen icons. Previously, users had the autonomy to choose how many icons they wanted on the screen simultaneously, making the statement about it inaccurate as one player maybe have non on screen. The previous icons had background colors, but now they are transparent. How does this contribute to enhanced visual clarity? Despite the allowance for 150 actions in the form of bars, this setup is still a downgrade as I can currently have 150 actions ready with just one click.
Here is where things become intriguing, as this is the crucial aspect of the user interface.
1# Action and Icones.
Judging by the appearance, it seems only 20 icons can be displayed at once. If you wish to access additional actions, you must use the buttons to scroll to the next set. I'm unsure about your playstyle, but for me, this will result in a considerable increase in clicks to reach my desired actions. The idea here is good and 10x better then the first shown UE UI. There is still some small steps to make this perfect.
The terms "design," "visual," and "colors" are frequently mentioned in this update, yet in some aspects, that's precisely what's lacking. The health bar is as basic as it can be. Does it alter colors as it decreases? Why doesn't it display your HP in numeric values as well, etc.? This feels like something I could create in 60 seconds. Where is the passion?
Off-topic, but I still yearn for the ability to click on a player and drag-drop their health bar. This way, I can monitor who needs healing without necessarily being on the same team. This thing we lost in a old update or like i name them downgrades.
More crucial notes, and once again, the update emphasizes visual and design aspects.
Brief notes on how our brains function: Colors, shapes, and the overall design play crucial roles in making information memorable and easy to track visually.
101 Essential Information for Game Developers on UI (User Interface).
A well-designed Game User Interface (UI) recognizes the pivotal role that colors and shapes play in enhancing the overall gaming experience. Colors serve as a powerful tool to convey information, evoke emotions, and distinguish various elements within the game. They aid in creating a visually cohesive and immersive environment, allowing players to quickly discern critical details
Now, let's see if this is the new window style across all windows. I do have some concerns.
A
B
Now, please consider these points for yourself.
- Which design do you believe received the most effort and soul – A or B?
- Which design evokes a warmer and more welcoming feeling for you? Which one brings you more pleasure to look at and read – A or B?
- MindArk refers to the update as an improvement. In your opinion, do you consider the window style 'A' to be an improvement?
Observe the lines around it, the design, the utilization of colors and shapes, and the visual impact.
For instance, I appreciate the progress bar. It features a pleasing design with colorful icons contrasting the skill name. The combination of text and visual elements makes it interesting to observe, providing both joy and substantial information.
How will the new design look.
-> I dont know.
Additional design considerations and challenges for the future.
The prospect of future updates and improvements in the Unreal Engine (UE) doesn't seem very promising based on the current outlook. I already experienced this negative effect during the testing phase of the new shapes for Storage and Trade terminals. The original ones had a unique appearance and distinct shapes, whereas the new ones appear to be more of a copy-paste job.
Ultimately, I'm curious about the design team and the effort they truly invest. Drawing a triangle and lines is a basic skill; however, the current designs lack variety in shapes and feature monotonous colors. This game isn't an FPS (first-person shooter) but rather an MMO (massive multiplayer online) game, meant to have numerous windows, icons, stats information, and a vibrant array of colors. Many people play games like World of Warcraft without needing design simplification to reduce clutter.
Stripping away the design, making it appear bland and rigid with fewer colors, is not an improvement. Removing the ability to adjust, change, and personalize is not an update; it's a downgrade. While the current appearance may be an improvement over the initial UE Mindark showcased some time back, the ultimate goal remains unclear.
Thanks
2024 User Interface Update -> interface update is February 13, 2024
From the initial user interface (UI) presented some time ago to the current one, it seems like they have considered and incorporated information from us users. Many of the points I mentioned in an older post have been integrated into this new design. Please read my previous summary from March 3, 2023. ->
Old Post down on the page
However, am I the only one who is still dissatisfied with the appearance?
Allow me to present some factual information, emphasizing the objective nature of the data rather than conveying any subjective meaning.
Please take a look at the new user interface (UI) and then compare it to the old one. Scroll down, and we can identify and discuss specific elements.
MindArk states the following, and I will supplement it with my comments.
UI Fundamental Changes and Improvements
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
• Performance Optimization: A thorough review of all UI windows led to significant enhancements in UI responsiveness, ensuring a smoother Entropia experience.
- I cannot provide comments on this as it needs testing. However, with a more locked or fixed user interface (UI), minimizing the floating elements, I assume it will offer a smoother experience.
• Unified Design Philosophy: We aimed to create a consistent, visually appealing UI. We redesigned elements like fonts (choosing a Sci-Fi style), colors, and text sizes.
- The previous UI maintained consistency and presented a visually appealing effect. The new style appears decent, but there is a significant lack of colors. If any improvement were to be made, allowing users to customize text size would be ideal. For instance, individuals playing on 4K monitors may face challenges, as it seems there is still a lack of options to adjust text size for better readability.
• HUD Transformation: The Heads-Up Display (HUD) redesign reduces clutter, offers a more expansive view of the game world, and enhances the overall user experience.
- Was there ever an issue with the view of the world? This statement seems more like a sales pitch lacking substantial content. The prior system allowed users to manage screen clutter based on their preference, providing the freedom to make those choices ourselves. Tasks that used to require one click now demand four. How does this contribute to an enhanced user experience? I will come back to the design part.
• Optimized Functionality: We repositioned buttons, adjusted window sizes, and removed redundant elements for a more intuitive user experience.
- Transitioning from a stage where I could reposition buttons to the current state where it's done for me represents a downgrade in user experience. This cannot be viewed as an optimization. However, adjusting window size is highly beneficial, particularly when considering the challenges of running the game in 4K, where windows tend to become very small.
• Chat System Revisions: We enhanced the chat system with features like adjustable transparency and improved communication tools within the game.
- There may not be much visible in the photo, but having the ability to adjust anything is always an upgrade. I'm optimistic that text size in the chat can be modified.? Additionally, I hope the option to customize colors remains available. While they emphasize simplifying the user interface, there could be improvements made to the chat and channel system. Not everyone finds it easy to use commands.
• Action Bars & Icon Management: The new action bar management system simplifies customization. The update reduces on-screen icons and enhances visual clarity. Users can assign icons to a maximum of five bars, each with ten actions and three pages, allowing 150 assignable actions. Keybinds are now possible with modifiers (CTRL and SHIFT) and are not limited to the dashboard or action bar.
- This update reduces the number of on-screen icons. Previously, users had the autonomy to choose how many icons they wanted on the screen simultaneously, making the statement about it inaccurate as one player maybe have non on screen. The previous icons had background colors, but now they are transparent. How does this contribute to enhanced visual clarity? Despite the allowance for 150 actions in the form of bars, this setup is still a downgrade as I can currently have 150 actions ready with just one click.
Here is where things become intriguing, as this is the crucial aspect of the user interface.
1# Action and Icones.
Judging by the appearance, it seems only 20 icons can be displayed at once. If you wish to access additional actions, you must use the buttons to scroll to the next set. I'm unsure about your playstyle, but for me, this will result in a considerable increase in clicks to reach my desired actions. The idea here is good and 10x better then the first shown UE UI. There is still some small steps to make this perfect.
- Increase the number of slots to reduce the need for clicking to the next row. Currently, I have over 100 icons in-game ready at a single click.
Ideally, have 20+20 icons per row. - The icons are transparent, and I hope we can customize the transparacy to make item icons as visible as desired. The old UI had background colors.
- When hovering over an icon, I hope we still receive item information, etc.
The terms "design," "visual," and "colors" are frequently mentioned in this update, yet in some aspects, that's precisely what's lacking. The health bar is as basic as it can be. Does it alter colors as it decreases? Why doesn't it display your HP in numeric values as well, etc.? This feels like something I could create in 60 seconds. Where is the passion?
Off-topic, but I still yearn for the ability to click on a player and drag-drop their health bar. This way, I can monitor who needs healing without necessarily being on the same team. This thing we lost in a old update or like i name them downgrades.
More crucial notes, and once again, the update emphasizes visual and design aspects.
Brief notes on how our brains function: Colors, shapes, and the overall design play crucial roles in making information memorable and easy to track visually.
101 Essential Information for Game Developers on UI (User Interface).
A well-designed Game User Interface (UI) recognizes the pivotal role that colors and shapes play in enhancing the overall gaming experience. Colors serve as a powerful tool to convey information, evoke emotions, and distinguish various elements within the game. They aid in creating a visually cohesive and immersive environment, allowing players to quickly discern critical details
Now, let's see if this is the new window style across all windows. I do have some concerns.
A
B
Now, please consider these points for yourself.
- Which design do you believe received the most effort and soul – A or B?
- Which design evokes a warmer and more welcoming feeling for you? Which one brings you more pleasure to look at and read – A or B?
- MindArk refers to the update as an improvement. In your opinion, do you consider the window style 'A' to be an improvement?
Observe the lines around it, the design, the utilization of colors and shapes, and the visual impact.
For instance, I appreciate the progress bar. It features a pleasing design with colorful icons contrasting the skill name. The combination of text and visual elements makes it interesting to observe, providing both joy and substantial information.
How will the new design look.
-> I dont know.
Additional design considerations and challenges for the future.
The prospect of future updates and improvements in the Unreal Engine (UE) doesn't seem very promising based on the current outlook. I already experienced this negative effect during the testing phase of the new shapes for Storage and Trade terminals. The original ones had a unique appearance and distinct shapes, whereas the new ones appear to be more of a copy-paste job.
Ultimately, I'm curious about the design team and the effort they truly invest. Drawing a triangle and lines is a basic skill; however, the current designs lack variety in shapes and feature monotonous colors. This game isn't an FPS (first-person shooter) but rather an MMO (massive multiplayer online) game, meant to have numerous windows, icons, stats information, and a vibrant array of colors. Many people play games like World of Warcraft without needing design simplification to reduce clutter.
Stripping away the design, making it appear bland and rigid with fewer colors, is not an improvement. Removing the ability to adjust, change, and personalize is not an update; it's a downgrade. While the current appearance may be an improvement over the initial UE Mindark showcased some time back, the ultimate goal remains unclear.
Thanks