[dev1059] & [dev1037] Concerning the UI

I would like to request afew things:
Can you make it that the PC can put the Chat window to the left and or the right side of the screen and can we see the HP/MP/TP bars where the Target bar is located, Can you put the Target bar by the Attack commands. Can we have the Attack commands as well as all the other menus cleaned up and match the Macro bars. I'm sure there is more adjustments that can be done, Please see below thanks for your time.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI04.png
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI04.png

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI01.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI01.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI05.png

I would like to see something like this. And perhaps instead of the usual status screens, something that showed all of your statistics with tabs separating them would probably be better.

In addition, the macro bar moves. I do not think it should. If you are engaged, the macro bar is in a different position than when you are not. If you do not know what I mean, use your macros and keep track of the left side of it. Then engage, and you will see that it moves to show the health and such. It should always be further to the right and not move like it does.

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Originally Posted by Freebytes

I would like to see something like this. And perhaps instead of the usual status screens, something that showed all of your statistics with tabs separating them would probably be better.

In addition, the macro bar moves. I do not think it should. If you are engaged, the macro bar is in a different position than when you are not. If you do not know what I mean, use your macros and keep track of the left side of it. Then engage, and you will see that it moves to show the health and such. It should always be further to the right and not move like it does.

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Would be very helpful if the macro bar was locked in the same spot being engaged or not.

Also, the casting time gauge is all the way in the upper left while I should be focusing on HP (mine and the target's). And the compass and clock need to be a constant fixture, not disappearing and reappearing at random.

Your suggestion there arranges just about everything in a much cleaner way and the colors make the UI much more legible, and frankly, more pleasing to the eye.

Would be nice if we could just customize our UI.

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Originally Posted by svengalis

Would be nice if we could just customize our UI.

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Agreed! ^^

They had said, somewhere, that they would move the compass but instead they do this truly unnecessary thing with the macro palette. I've gotten used to it but I still don't like it. I'd much prefer to have the compass where I can see it during battle...

Would be very nice to see the compass all the time I do agree, Also when you put markers on your map, Be helpful for them to show up on your compass as well.

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Originally Posted by Izzybella

They had said, somewhere, that they would move the compass but instead they do this truly unnecessary thing with the macro palette. I've gotten used to it but I still don't like it. I'd much prefer to have the compass where I can see it during battle...

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They did they Compass "fix" in allowing you to press a key so that it hides the command window. Admittedly, it'd still be better if you could see it 24/7

How about....
~1. Party members' locations on the map in real-time like just every other game has already; it's possible. Or add an optional mini-map. If you don't want it, you can remove it. Closing and re-loading the map just to update people's locations gets old.
~2. Status ailment icons...Final Fantasy Tactics, 'nuff said. Tiny little indicators over heads should not kill the game speed, are quicker than typing "Help I got BIOed and I got 25HP", and they were done in 1999. They can be optional, too.
~3. There *should* be a way to edit macros, go to your config menus, access "some things" within reason, of course - while you're KO. That way you can have something to do while waiting for a Raise, so if there was a macro mess-up or something else that perhaps (for example) caused your party to wipe on a BCNM, you could find and fix it right then and there, while it's still fresh in your mind. The "wait for a Raise or HP" option button can be moved, there's no reason to be blocked from my menu just because I have no HP.
~4. Character select screen - Widescreen friendly? Yes? =)

Finally, I realize there is no "perfect UI". I'm not saying to remake it into a masterpiece. I'm saying that bringing it a little more up-to-date would be awesome.

well....it's taken what.... 9 years to get any major changes to the UI like they just did. Just saying.... for perspective.

actually, the PC crowd has asked for updates for years....they tried to update it a couple years ago but threw their hands up in the air because of all the problems they were having--the most noticeable thing we got out of it was the official windowed mode.

With all the changes in staff over the last decade (yes, this game began production like a decade ago), they may have issues going back to source and what not that is making some of these changes vary tedious. Almost expect some of it may be reverse-engineered and jerry-rigged in some areas. Patience....there is a LOT of noise about the UI at the moment, coming at them from every direction. As always, they will have to take it all in and mull over it for a while before they give any indication of what they are going to do, much less take any action on it.

Edit:
Just out of curiosity to prove the point about how long this kind of chatter has been going on, I did a quick search and got a hit from Sept. 2005, thread titled "User Interface". From the OP:

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I've been looking around and I can't seem to find any information on it, but is there a way to change/alter the UI on the PC version of the game? Besides what is in the config settings, I mean actual changing of chat window size, adding a combat window, stuff like that.

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http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.htm...574555925769#1

Thanks for sharing, But I'am aware of this bud as well as others. There is no need for a history lesson.

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Originally Posted by Krashport

Thanks for sharing, But I'am aware of this bud as well as others. There is no need for a history lesson.

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Well, it seemed you did need to be reminded of the fact that such requests have gone on for a long time in forums after this post:

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Originally Posted by Krashport

Most of those years Square Enix didn't know what members wants/needs were, Now there is Forums! ^^

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They already stated in another thread that they can only work within the confines of the existing code they got that renders the UI, and do not want to spend the time to rewrite it to allow the level of customization that's standard to all modern MMOs.

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Originally Posted by Kaisha

They already stated in another thread that they can only work within the confines of the existing code they got that renders the UI, and do not want to spend the time to rewrite it to allow the level of customization that's standard to all modern MMOs.

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Well then, we'll just have to keep asking until they DO want to rewrite it. :P

Recently installed the game to a friend's xbox so we could both login at the same time if the need arises. Astounded at how dated and awful the UI is. How did I ever convince anyone to play the game when the UI is like this? XD

Also, now the OP has pointed out the issue about the moving macro bar I cannot unsee it ; ;

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Originally Posted by Tavien

Also, now the OP has pointed out the issue about the moving macro bar I cannot unsee it ; ;

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That has been annoying the hell out of me too. I thought I was just imagining it :P

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Originally Posted by Krashport

I would like to request afew things:
Can you make it that the PC can put the Chat window to the left and or the right side of the screen and can we see the HP/MP/TP bars where the Target bar is located, Can you put the Target bar by the Attack commands. Can we have the Attack commands as well as all the other menus cleaned up and match the Macro bars. I'm sure there is more adjustments that can be done, Please see blow thanks for your time.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI01.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI01.jpg

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That would drive me crazy. Why in earth would I want to look to the right to read the log window when I naturally read things left to right? Why should the radar be put in an out of the way place in the upper left corner far away from the bottom of the screen where all of the other important information is displayed? You do not want to make people move their eyes all over the screen for information like that. That's why fighter jets have all of the important information that the pilot needs clustered in one spot rather than spread out all over the HUD.

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Originally Posted by Atomic_Skull

That would drive me crazy. Why in earth would I want to look to the right to read the log window when I naturally read things left to right? Why should the radar be put in an out of the way place in the upper left corner far away from the bottom of the screen where all of the other important information is displayed? You do not want to make people move their eyes all over the screen for information like that. That's why fighter jets have all of the important information that the pilot needs clustered in one spot rather than spread out all over the HUD.

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http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...Chatlog101.jpg

You're not making any point, it doesn't matter where the "Chat window" is located.

Radar... You must mean the Compass For one it shouldn't hide itself. Having it out all the time would be nice.

This is not a fighter jet it's called a Game, Having more option to move our HUD... UI "user interface would make a lot of people happy.

also if you look how the TP bar comes up in the upper left hand corner, Therefore you are always looking all over the UI, I respect your opinion about how I made this UI to fit my needs, I'm sorry you didn't like it. Maybe ya could take the time and make one and put it up on the forums adding to the conversation would be more helpful then criticism, Having the ability to have a Editor for the PC to make the UI fit your needs!

for the sake of balance here i will say i like the UI just as it is, please do not make and changes

I still agree with OP, because I believe it would be more efficient for me, which means not everybody else. It depends on personal preference and once again these things would be optional, not forced on anyone. As for code, this game has always been hindered in one way or another, and it seems the only excuse is they don't want to "take the time" to rewrite "old code" - frankly the game shouldn't have such limitations. I have been a loyal player since 2004 and invested much of my time in playing because I believe at its core FFXI is a great game. I do agree, however, that some progress needs to be made on the UI if only to keep it current, if not competitive with other games. Just my two cents. :o

He said he would like to be able to put the chat on the left OR right. The right side actually makes more sense to me because that is where the health mp and tp meters are at, which is what I look at the most during battle. Ideally this would all be configurable for each user.


Shut up with the balance.

Great feedback in regards to the UI! I forwarded it to the dev. team so that they can consider these options while they look into the UI revamp. ^____^

Just in case some of you didn't know, Tanaka himself did reply to players feedback in regards to the UI in November. You can find it here if you haven't read it yet. It may hold some information that you might be interested in.

If you have already read it, disregard that last paragraph. :p

Thanks so much Rukkirii, You rock!! :)

Thank you, Rukkirii! =)

Some great ideas there!
Something that I'd love to add is about contrast in the hp/mp bars. Maybe it's just me because I have a very soft form of discromatopsy, but I'd love a higher contrast between "full hp/mp bar" and "not full". Most of the times when your bar is like 80% or like that I don't immediately notice. Would be useful for me!

Also, an interesting addition would be to do what users with windower have been doing for several years, that's TP and MP displayed for all alliance members, Pets included.

Last but not least, additional information in the equip/status screen. I'm not saying we should see every single stat in there, but atm we can only see attack and defense and that's a bit annoying. Would be lovely if we could see other stats as well. Attack, Accuracy, Defense, Ranged Attack, Ranged Accuracy, Magic Attack, Magic Accuracy and uhm... Magic Defense? Evasion too maybe.
Would be really lovely!

And also, why not updating the way Job Traits get listed?
If you have, say, Store TP V, you only see "Store TP" in the list. Why not making it listed as "Store TP V" instead? That way it would be easier to understand exactely when you get a new tier, instead of having people find it out with silly tests. I'm sure there's a lot of stuff not discovered there yet...

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Originally Posted by Rukkirii

Great feedback in regards to the UI! I forwarded it to the dev. team so that they can consider these options while they look into the UI revamp. ^____^

Just in case some of you didn't know, Tanaka himself did reply to players feedback in regards to the UI in November. You can find it here if you haven't read it yet. It may hold some information that you might be interested in.

If you have already read it, disregard that last paragraph. :p

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Would you like some of these proposed changes to the PC UI? Or are you one of those users that crash all the time in VW?

just not more, cleaner fine but not more, the last thing I want is more things taking up my screen

Yes, Thank you! Pages (for anything) make it a bit confusing...just have one list to scroll down :) And I also agree with the names thing. Either just everyone elses' on with yours off, or none at all. My name is on my HP bar anyways, and is displayed when I select my character, trust that I won't lose it ;)
............
............Wait, who am I again? j/k!!! :o

wait what.... I don't recall seeing this one on the list:

Atma of the Horny Kitty.


WTF??!!!

Also, while I am thinking about it...How about....

"YOU gain 543 experience points."
"YOU obtain 190 cruor/gil."
"YOU were defeated by Tiamat."
"YOUR X skill raises by 0.3 points."
"YOU use a Forbidden key on the treasure chest and open the lock!"
"Fuzzball casts Raise III on YOU."
"YOUR attack staggers the fiend!" (this one may be there already but I'm not sure)
'"YOUR body emits a faint pearlescent light!"
"YOU cast Reraise."
"YOU gain the effect of Reraise."
(This same idea is already there in Visitant status time remaining stats in the log. Such as in "YOUR Visitant status has been extended by X minutes." Just sayin'.)

:o

P.S.....
"This area is affected by the Super Kupowers: "Blood of the Vampyr", "Thrifty Transit", and "Swift Shoes!!"

would be shorter than:

This area is affected by the Super Kupower: "Blood of the Vampyr"!
This area is affected by the Super Kupower: "Thrifty Transit"!
This area is affected by the Super Kupower: "Swift Shoes"!

Shorter and to the point. Less text to read is better.
^_^

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Originally Posted by Krashport

I was thinking Simple. This might even work with DOM OPs.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...t/DoneUI07.png
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...ma_Windows.png

Atma Infusionist: I find that having to press the Next page button, While changing your Atmas frustrating, Maybe have it that we don't need the Next page button altogether. I also would like to request having the ability to just turn the Username off and have other players and non-players names on. I promise I will not forget my name! :)

/Names <all> /Names <me>

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What would be super handy is if hovering over an atma showed you it's stats, like when you hover over a gear item. clicking on 1,000 atmas and then canceling, to find the one that does that one special thing that you never use, but you need it just this once for this one annoying NM is sooooo slow.

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Originally Posted by FrankReynolds

What would be super handy is if hovering over an atma showed you it's stats, like when you hover over a gear item. clicking on 1,000 atmas and then canceling, to find the one that does that one special thing that you never use, but you need it just this once for this one annoying NM is sooooo slow.

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Or at the very least, let us see the stats somehow when we view them in our KI lists...so we can look it up beforehand without having to use the wiki....seems like that site just gets slower every other week.

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Originally Posted by RAIST

Or at the very least, let us see the stats somehow when we view them in our KI lists...so we can look it up beforehand without having to use the wiki....seems like that site just gets slower every other week.

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Yeah, that might be easier to add. That would be super handy.