Short Ui Feedback And Suggestion

[Voltyr]

So Update 14 has, through the hard work of the DE staff, finally been released and with it come a number of changes. So far I actually don't have any complaints about most of those changes, which is surprising given my nitpicky nature, but the one thing I do detest is the new UI.

Why do I dislike the new UI? It's clunky, and it consumes a lot more resources than it used to in order to run it. I'm getting slowed framerates for instance, but more to the point it's very awkward to navigate the new menus. Things that used to take a few clicks now require panning around the screen with a slow-moving cursor and going through several menu options to get to the desired screen. It's finicky and is trying the patience of a lot of players. Personally I'm not even fusing mods anymore because it's too much of a hassle.
That's of course not to say that the new UI is completely terrible. The Liset is fun to see and walk around in, and Ordis is a nice addition to the game. Both of these things add a splash of personality, exactly as DE had intended. I am just not sure if they understood the negative consequences when they set about doing things the way they have chosen to do them though.

So what do I recommend as a next step to address the issues listed above?
Well, there are a number of ways to fix it, the most obvious but also probably least desireable option being to completely roll back the UI to the older version. This would mean that months of work were for naught.
My favourite solution, of the ones I can think of at least, is to have everything done via the ESC screen. To clarify, what I'm talking about is a system whereby the ESC screen exists as it is currently implemented, but clicking any options within it will transport you to a separate, screen-filling screen not rendered in the level itself, like the old in-game options menus. This would, in my opinion, be the best of both worlds and make the menus both easier and less cumbersome to navigate.

What do people think of this idea? Is it any good? Am I maybe missing some important problems with this solution? Feedback is most welcome.

[Keiiken]

You proposals would get rid of the immersion that was intended to be provided by the new UI.

[kultuu]

You proposals would get rid of the immersion that was intended to be provided by the new UI.

 

anything is better than the slow and clunky UI we got now, immersion? lol it feels like a iphone app ffs

[SteelCent]

You proposals would get rid of the immersion that was intended to be provided by the new UI.

Such fabled immersion is easily lost in translation when users are navigating the menu's which is the very concern. You need to understand part of the problem is users are less likely to be immersed with the current eye-sore. The logical conclusion one would come to is to have access to both the old and new ui and a choice between them. The integration and decision to use the old one for the masses who find the new version less immersive due to the copy/pasting of designs past - as to promote a cookie cutter console menu design.

Edited July 18, 2014 by SteelCent

[Voltyr]

You proposals would get rid of the immersion that was intended to be provided by the new UI.

I actually beg to differ. The main menu would still pop out of the Tenno's hand, but the various submenus would end up filling the screen, or lore-wise, filling the Tenno's vision. But it's duely noted that my solution is not as immersive as the concept DE is currently rolling with.

 

anything is better than the slow and clunky UI we got now, immersion? lol it feels like a iphone app ffs

I wish I could disagree...

 

Such fabled immersion is easily lost in translation when users are navigating the menu's which is the very concern. You need to understand part of the problem is users are less likely to be immersed with the current eye-sore. The logical conclusion one would come to is to have access to both the old and new ui and a choice between them. The integration and decision to use the old one for the masses who find the new version less immersive due to the copy/pasting of designs past - as to promote a cookie cutter console menu design.

I suppose that clunkiness breaks immersion in a way too. Hard to appreciate the way the UI is integrated into the game world when you're so frustrated by how difficult it is to navigate. In light of that, optimizing for functionality over aesthetics is probably a better idea.