[dev1059] & [dev1037] Concerning the UI

[Midorikaze]

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.

[RAIST]

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

[RAIST]

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:

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.

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

[Krashport]

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

[RAIST]

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

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:

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

[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.

[FrankReynolds]

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.

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

[Tavien]

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 ; ;