Pretti! Interface-graphics

[Elhoim]

For all Old Skoolz fans and denizsi stomach, another one of my embossed UIs!

I'm an old school fan as well, your designs are "too smooth" for old school : p

Je, je... You are right!

For all Old Skoolz fans and denizsi stomach, another one of my embossed UIs!

Btw, you can re-check my previous post for a slight edit I made about your designs, probably after you read it.

Yeah, I liked them too. Too colorful, but they brought good memories. They reminded me of the games of old, especially the pixel art banners...

 

[Vault Dweller]

Besides, I think VD likes his more.

I also like the existing interface, so don't rely on my opinion too much.

 

[OlSheep]

Wow, my attempt must be quite bad. AFAICR, this is the first time the codex has successfully ignored a post. I mean, I knew it wasn't a winner but, still... is it that bad?

Anyhow, I'd like to give my 2 cents (just for the fun of it) before I crawl back under my lurking rock.

android's UI is undeniably superb. There's one thing though, am I the only one who finds it quite distracting? It's so crisp, clear and detailed that it screams "SCREW THE GAME, LOOK AT ME!".

I can't help but think that Elhoim's attempt is much closer to a classical/functional UI. The columns' edges need to be feathered, the emboss on the icons have created jaggies which should be removed and the HP and AP should be resized to take less space and instill a sense of symmetry. I think these few steps would actually create a winner.

/me crawls under his rock

 

[RAG]

I also like the existing interface, so don't rely on my opinion too much.

I don't want to hurt your feelings but the current UI is awful. Many of the samples in this thread would really help the presentation of the game.

I think it would be a good idea if you could release here in the codex a VERY small portion of the game (like a small area or a building) so that we can get the feeling of the game and give some advices in that department too. I believe the general feeling in a game is one of the most important aspects. What it's like when you click the mouse on an icon or when the character moves. What type of sounds do you hear. How is the mouse movement.

Small things that make a big difference

.

 

[MountainWest]

was it that bad

Hmm, it lacks the concistency of the better suggestions. I don't like how you've put all icons in a quadrant; it makes the interface look cluttered. At the same time... something about it makes me think you could make a better one, if you had a clear thought of what it is you want to express with your interface. Look at androids inspiration and his interface.

don't want to hurt your feelings but the current UI is awful.

I think you're misunderstanding him.

 

[fraunclein]

Here's a crude MSpaint quickie #2:

 

[galsiah]

OlSheep:
A lot better than your first one. I don't think it fits the game at all well thematically though. It also feels rather actiony, and could do with polishing up. It's nice that it's somewhat darker than others - so not so in-your-face. However, I think mantra_n's is better in this regard, while Elhoim's and Androids are better thematically.
Yours kind of captures the worst of both worlds .

Having said all that, I think I'd be fine playing a game with that interface (aesthetics of interfaces doesn't really bother me as a player). I wouldn't be thinking "wow - what an interface", but neither would I think "who designed this crap!?".
A great improvement, but don't quit the day job just yet .


Elhoim:
I like the latest version a lot. The clarity is much better, and I prefer the frame. The only thing that bothers me about it now is that the weapon slots stand out like buttons, rather than depress like... depressions. Perhaps having them a different color would work too, but I do think that switching the shadows to have them depressed would help a little.


Also in general terms, is the "save" icon necessary? Wouldn't it work just to have the player hit Escape? I just don't think having a "save" icon on the interface helps with TEH IMERSHUN. Since it's not necessary (everyone will expect Esc to work - and you could provide a save hotkey), and a disk hardly fits the post-apoc-romelike feel, why not lose it?

 

[Marsal]

Needs new icons, a bit clutterd. AP display above the icons, with beads or notches? I'm a Photoshop newb, so feel free to butcher it and compose something better

 

[denizsi]

One option would be to make them accessible through a pop-up menu a la FO (pressing the 'disk' button)?

I thought the same thing once but then again, we aren't to "appreciate the parallax mapped virtual reality and masturbate to setting sun", so making the interface smaller at the cost of losing visual contact with icons didn't feel comfortable to me; information box, hp/ap and item slots alone look somewhat cheap on their own (regardless of the artwork quality). Icons need to be there.

Additionally, VD has said that you can already right click on things or NPCs to get some of them.

sip

I agree with MountainWest. Cluttered look, lack of consistency. The colours, in my opinion, didn't fit really well either.

 

[Elhoim]

A depressed version:

 

[denizsi]

Also in general terms, is the "save" icon necessary? ..sip

Well, that's why I placed it on top corner, imagining that it appears only when the cursor is over there.

Well, Marsal, that last couple is nice. It would be much better with just a slight rebalancing of the colours. It leans towards a metallic look right now. And the upper edge would look better if the height was unified, as it draws attention from the game scene now, and the glow around slot weapons is somewhat unnecessary (it would probably be solved by balancing the colours) Other than these, it looks good. edit: The lionhead; it isn't really bad but one wonders if it has any connection to the game itself as a decoration element.

Better for my eyes, Elhoim. I forgot to mention this before: I think the AOD logo doesn't fit, as well as the font itself (also used for AP/HP).

 

[Elhoim]

Not bad, Marsal!

It´s nice, but for some reason I find it blurry, and maybe it´s a little cluttered. It also reminds me of necromancy and undeads.

 

[OlSheep]

Better for my eyes, Elhoim. I forgot to mention this before: I think the AOD logo doesn't fit, as well as the font itself (also used for AP/HP).

Elhoim, that's just a suggestion but maybe you could remove the AoD logo, "balance" the icons' positions so that they're placed symmetrically over the upper bar (move the swords down a bit, the disk up and all the other icons to the left) and then put the HP on the left side (below the swords) and the AP on the right (below the disk)?

 

[galsiah]

It also reminds me of necromancy and undeads.

Indeed - I get a kind of Wading-To-Victory-Through-Seas-Of-Blood feel.
It's a good look (with a little polish), but I don't think it suits the game. I'd constantly be waiting for a horde of bad guys to attack.

 

[Marsal]

Thx for the comments. You've got a point. Fire away

 

[golgotha]

Looks wise, I like android's the best, but for function and looks I prefer Elhoim's.

 

[callehe]

@marshal: really nice - definately one of the better. the details in the weapon slots are nifty. but i don't really like the broken up background. a few cracks are nice but too much just makes it cluttered. maybe a whole piece of marble (like for the HP/AP) instead of blocks?

 

[stargelman]

I've only looked at the pics, didn't read everything, so I don't know if anyone suggested this yet. But maybe you should consider this:

Oblivion did one thing right. It had a fugly interface, but at least you could change it. Perhaps you should make the AoD UI 'themeable'.

 

[denizsi]

Yes, much better Marsal. Also the text area is too small compared to the complete space it occupies. You could push the left inner wall of the text area further, pushing the bricks on the left edge out of the screen.

 

[Vault Dweller]

@ marsal: very artistic. I don't know how you managed to put it together so nicely, but it works and looks great. Very appealing.

 

[android]

Just a quick experiment to keep up with the race ;-) Good work guys.

PS: Oh, and a lightning bolt for AP? Come on.

Have a better idea that would fit the size and style?

 

[denizsi]

Here is my version of Marsal's latest design -I just lowered the total height and pushed the left edge of the informatiom box further so it's less intrusive to me- :

( alternative link: http://www.geocities.com/denizsi/aod_marsal_m01.jpg )

Note: I still have doubts about the lionhead. Conceptually, it's a nice decoration, but perhaps VD could point Marsal in the right direction for a more appropriate decorative element, more suited to AOD, what do you say VD?

 

[Durwyn]

Thx for the comments. You've got a point. Fire away

Fuck, for me it's perfect. Nothing more nothing less. Masterwork Marsall !

 

[denizsi]

Just a quick experiment to keep up with the race

I had no problem with the previous colour range, but I can see that the new colour range is better suited to naysayers. Still a very good work, I love your design best, closely followed by Marsal's. However, I think you could brighten the inner darker colour in AP/HP and weapon slots a little bit.

Oh wait, why are there now thirteen icon slots (including the save/load)? Originally there are only twelve icons.

Have a better idea that would fit the size and style?

Actually I think both HP and AP icons are unnecessary. That's also the reason I had no trouble throwing them out modifying your design.

Now, should I make the simplified, stripped version of this one too? This question is addressed at everyone.

Maybe Iron Tower would find the time and show the courtesy of having one full and one slimmer version of the winner, to be toggled somewhere in options menu perhaps?

 

[Elwro]

I still vote for 600 MB downloadable bonus interface pack.