Home Trending Latest threads New posts Developer diaries

Ranting about interface

Buladelu · 2011-04-19T14:36:54+00:00

Latest Paradox games have much better interface than earlier ones. But it still has some annoying problems. I look at Sengoku screens and already see Paradox trying to repeat same mistakes. Some of my ranting is subjective, but still please do consider following: 1) Icons. They are too complex. You can't use their smaller versions without loosing some details. Or do you still want to use text everywhere like in Rome? In character table ( http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=34690&d=1302873244 ) I see two swords - it's obviously a martial, then a scroll - ok, diplomacy, then... Again sword? That's just torture for my subconscious. Those icons are pretty but you have to focus to recognize it and it's unnecessary work for a brain. 2) In table essential states are very close to others. Martial/Diplomacy/Finesse should be seen first, maybe a larger font or at least obvious border between character stats and other values. 3) Same for radiobuttons. Player eye won't see them as several groups, it's a line of buttons. 4) I am a programmer. So I understand why you always use messages like "Martial: +1.00". But then again, it's no good when you are player. Why do you write 1.00? Is there any event when you can get 1.12? Even 1.5? It happens with some other values but why should you show me bunch of unnecessary digits? See modern RPG interfaces and you'd usually see +1 Martial +1 Diplomacy That way eye instantly catches +1, then sees that it's for martial and diplomacy. In current format you always get wall of text which is hard to read (by the way, color coding helps, thanks). But it would be logical if you'd get +1 (small and recognizable icon for martial) instead of text which we have to read and process. 5) There are some other issues but they are too obvious and probably because of alpha. F.e. family column is half-empty, I guess there will be some additional info - if no, at least move name to the right of symbol or canter symbol. I guess there will be titles under a name so it's OK. Please, Paradox. We love complex and overwhelming games but that doesn't mean we should sink in interfaces that are OK for SQL management studious.

Thread starter Buladelu
Start date Apr 19, 2011

Jump to latest Follow Reply

We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Showing developer posts only. Show all posts in this thread.

Show all posts

Kallocain

Executive Producer

22 Badges

Apr 20, 2011

Add bookmark
#2

Very good points. Some are hard to fix, others are because we are in alpha, but some are just very true.

Show hidden low quality content

You must log in or register to reply here.

Facebook X (Twitter) Reddit Tumblr WhatsApp Link

Top Bottom

Back