Hey I've just re-created my game's menu and GUI. I Want some feedback so I know what to change. Links: http://www.crystalzonline.com/menu3.png http://www.crystalzonline.com/GUI_transparent2.png (Sprites are just examples)

For the menu you should increase the distance between the buttons. Also a frame around each button would be better.

The GUI should have a lighter background for the chat window, maybe almost white with a little blue tint. The plain dark blue should be replaced by more of a cyan to make it fit better to the other colors. The text "Begginer Forest" should be spellchecked. Also add a background frame for that text, otherwise it is hard to read as it is now.

Basically, what everyone else said.

Regarding the Game GUI:
The full-blue background for the chat window should be replaced with a color more neutral yet which contrasts with your text -- black and white are good colors, or you can use a color that's like black or white, for example as nmi said maybe a bluish off-white, or if you want a dark background, a dark blue of some sort.

Same thinking for other places text appears over the blue, like your HP/MP/SP bars -- maybe put those into a box with a black background or something so that they're not fighting with the strong background for attention.

The exception to this is the buttons with white text on blue fields-- they work pretty well. Reminds me of IBM and old dos programs for some reason.

Regarding the Menu:
To expand on what nmi said, you've got 1 or 2 pixels between the buttons. Either increase that so it looks like you mean for there to be gaps, or eliminate them. Right now such small gaps don't work between such large buttons with so much blank space around the text in the buttons, I think. It makes the gaps look accidental, out of place.

Best of luck with your project.

I'd like to add another point if I may.

What strikes me is the lack of consistency in the graphics. It looks like you mixing three or four different styles within a single screen. The characters and level are done in a traditional 2D RPG fashion, the blue background image looks like it came from a more modern game, the buttons or place holders are very minimalistic and the menu uses a metal texture you would find in most first person shooters.
And there doesn't seem to be any idea behind the colors you used: instead of a color scheme that ties the interface together, you utilized the full spectrum of primary colors in your controls.

Quote:Original post by nmi
For the menu you should increase the distance between the buttons. Also a frame around each button would be better.

I'm making some chrome buttons that are smaller and rounded. They might look better.

Quote:Original post by nmi
The plain dark blue should be replaced by more of a cyan to make it fit better to the other colors.

What dark blue are you referring to? around the buttons?

Quote:Original post by nmi
The text "Begginer Forest" should be spellchecked. Also add a background frame for that text, otherwise it is hard to read as it is now.

Thanks for spotting that (I didn't write that and I'm not just trying to shift the blame)

Quote:Original post by dbaumgart
Regarding the Menu:
It makes the gaps look accidental, out of place.

hehe it actually was accidental, I just never noticed it untill about 2 days ago. Thought I'd end up changing the buttons (which I am now doing) so I didn't bother spacing them out yet.

Quote:Original post by dbaumgart
Best of luck with your project.

Thanks

Quote:Original post by WanMaster
the blue background image looks like it came from a more modern game, the buttons or place holders are very minimalistic and the menu uses a metal texture you would find in most first person shooters.

I see... Going by that my old interface and menu would be better (the version i never actually put in the game)

http://www.crystalzonline.com/menu2.bmp
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7544/36391272mj2.png
(the text that's on top of the map in that picture has been moved to the box on the right in the picture i originally posted)

Edit: Just uploaded a button I might use on my main menu, what do you think of it? http://www.crystalzonline.com/button1.png

I can't seem to find a font and color that look good :(

Quote:Original post by hintswen
I see... Going by that my old interface and menu would be better (the version i never actually put in the game)

http://www.crystalzonline.com/menu2.bmp
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7544/36391272mj2.png
(the text that's on top of the map in that picture has been moved to the box on the right in the picture i originally posted)

Yes, personally I'd prefer the old version: less noise, clearer interface.