A mock-up of what the new interface might (approximately) looks like is here:
A quick run-down:
Top Left: Info on the current mouse-hover.
Mid-Left: Quick info on the party members.
Bottom Left: Quick-actions for the currently selected party member.
Bottom: Messages.
Top Right: Menu options.
Bottom Right: Mini-map.
Thoughts and comments? Ideas for alternate approaches are welcome.
Thanks,
Geoff
Quote:Good interfaces typically consolidate all information to one side of the screen, usually the bottom (because that's where the eyes naturally follow).
Quote:Original post by Tom
That's not too bad. The height of the text window should be adjustable, because I for one don't really need to see ten lines of text, and if I do, I'll use the scrollbar. I think three would do me fine.
Quote:Of course, something very serious to consider is that your new design covers up parts of the visible world, whereas your existing design exposes the entire world without any interference. Putting those extra controls in the way is going to prevent the player from clicking anywhere he might want. Good interfaces typically consolidate all information to one side of the screen, usually the bottom (because that's where the eyes naturally follow). Think about it.
Quote:Original post by FartherThanLife
I agree that you shouldn't use the first design. Making your players lose eye contact with the game completly every time they have to check something isn't that great.
But, I like your second set up. Everything seems to work well where they are.
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A few things you could do are:
1. Make the 'Menu Options' Box invisible until the player rolls the mouse close enough to it. That way less of the screen is blocked while playing.
Quote:2. Same thing with the 'Mouse Over Information. Except with this one, make it visible only when your mouse is over something of interest. It doesn't have to display that it's pointing at the floor.
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3. Again, a similar idea for the 'Party Member Information'. Make it visible for a short period of time when you roll your mouse over any of your party members. (i.e. Rolling over ANY party member will display the information for ALL of them.)
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4. The last one I can think of right now is make all of these screens toggle-able. You can turn them on or off with the push of a button.
Quote:This game looks interesting. Did you make it yourself?
Quote:Original post by teebee
Your interface layout should be similar to other rpg games. That makes it quick to learn and easy to use. Check out baldurs gate, neverwiner nights, jagged alliance etc. More specifically:
* You should probably put party members on the right side of the screen (like you had before), or on the bottom.
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* You should make the shortcuts/quick casts adjustable, so that player could use f1-f10 keys to anything he likes (like baldurs gate 2).
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* If you want a "floating" interface, make it so that player can move (and turn on/off) the windows as he likes.
Quote:Quote:Good interfaces typically consolidate all information to one side of the screen, usually the bottom (because that's where the eyes naturally follow).
Old games had interfaces at the bottom mostly, but (and somewhat contradicting myself) I would advise to use sides (specifically left side) more, since nowadays many people have widescreens. That way you still have the "normal" screen space for displaying the play field. And you can design the interface to fit the height of the screen. If you place your interface at the bottom, you have to desing it for normal displays, and lose a lot of screen space when game is played on a widescreen.
