♦ChocoMog’s List of Missing Features♦

[ChocoMog]

Hello all! We all have our opinions on how Eorzea could be enriched, but I have faith that Yoshi-P and his team are filling in the Quests, and Events, and Stories we so desperately crave •KUPO•

But I feel that the base improvements in a game, which is growing exponentially, should happen in the User Interface. The original design team had the difficult task of meeting the deadline for release, and creating a PS3 compatible interface. (I play with a hybrid of Controller and Keyboard) •KUPO•

One of the downsides of this design, is that so many lessons from other games (including its predasessor •KUPO•) have been missed. So this list is more of a ‘heads up’ on features which the game’s user interface could benefit from.

CHAT:

Linkable Items:

A modifier-key click (CTRL/ALT) on an item adds a mouseover link in chat containing the item information.

CONTROLS:

Non-Confirmation Target Mode:

A modifier-key click (CTRL/ALT) on an item adds a mouseover link in chat containing the item information.

Crosshair Targeting:

A targeting mode, where whatever target is within the focus of a crosshair is highlighted as the active target. Locking on diables target switching. While locked on in Crosshair Targeting mode, using the target switching keys will navigate to the next closest target.

Separated Targeting Keys (Advanced Controller Settings):

The menu navigation buttons (crosspad) buttons should have a separate setting from the target switching keys. The inability to switch targets via controller, while the main action menu is open is counter-productive.

INTERFACE ELEMENTS:

The Job/Class Screen

As FFXIV focuses almost specifically on the Class system, it should have its own interface. Each class in the game should be listed, with it’s skill menu, and its equipped Arm(s). Switching to a different job would therefore automatically equip the proper ARM.

The Job Wheel

An object similar to the Action bar, which allows the user to scroll through Jobs they have equipped arms for, and change to that job on the fly.

Level Map Overlay

An overlay element to the map which allows the user to see ‘level groupings’ of Vilekin on areas in the map.

Hide UI Elements

A ‘minimise’ button be added to each UI element. As long as it is clicked into the ‘on’ toggle position, the element will remain invisible.

Quick Sell

A Modifier-Key (SHIFT/CTRL) click on an item in the inventory, while a ‘sell’ interface is open automatically sells it.

Minor UI Element Toggle Menu

Any action togglable by a ‘/’ command (circa direct targeting) has a menu element in the settings menu in order to change it. A user should never be required to enter a chat command to change a setting.

Star for Market List

A star next to the name of a Market list, which contains the searched criteria.

Multiple Simultaneous Searches (Market)

Up to 5 searches can be done on the Market Wards at one time. Each gets a different color star.

Market Ward Item Search Resiliant UI

When a market search is performed, as long as the player is within the Market Wards, a UI frame containing the item they searched, and its star color is displayed. (per the Guild Leve UI)

Inventory Category Display while Sorted

When the sort feature is on, a list of categories should be displayed above the groupings of items.

Dragable Buttons/Skills/Macros/Items

Though the UI should be functional for controller users (Though I’ve never played a Console MMO without a keyboard plugged in) The base UI should be optimised for use by computer users. This begins with the allowing of gear, macros, skills, buttons, etc to be dragged to bars.

Multiple Skill Bars

There should be an ability to place, and size action bars around the user interface. These should have conditional options for appearing, and disappearing, and shortcut key assignment.

Expanded Macro Functionality

I respect the desire to prevent farmers, and automators from taking advantage of the game. But the protective measure of limiting macros is only hurting the community. The induction of Targeting Macros, Macros for Changing Settings, etc, would greatly increase the quality of base gameplay.

Abolition of AP System

I utilize the Macro system to cast skills. As such, the AP system is useless. All I have to do is add a line to equip a skill in the skill casting macro and it goes around the AP system. Those who don’t use macros are penalized by this system by way of limiting their skills.

OVERALL FEATURES:

Limitless Guild Leves

The Limitations on the Guild Leve quest make it so that players have a ‘reason not to play’ over a 24 hour period.

World Vilekin Reward Increase

6 Guild Leves (1 hour of content) provided the same experience and financial reward as 5 hours of world Vilekin killings (Grinding). This seems like a high imbalance for people who just like to explore.

Roaming NPCs/Non-Town shops

The Limitations on the Guild Leve quest make it so that players have a ‘reason not to play’ over a 24 hour period.

Shop Keeper Floating Icon

Over the heads of shop keepers there should be an icon {SHOP} which floats above their name.

Mail System

Pretty self explanatory. A system to send mail to other users, including item slots, is a must for any self respecting MMO.

More Interactive Objects

In Ul’dah there is a lovely fountain you can sit around. In Gridania, there is a bench downstairs in the hub that can be sat upon. There should be a whole slew of chairs, benches, and interactivities which can be sat upon, played with, and posed around.

Company Retainers

(This one is assuming the introduction of the Company-Guild system) There should be a retainer which, pending guild permissions, a company member has access to store items and or sell them.

Temporary Retainer Summoning

When a retainer is summoned to another point (outside the markets) this action should be temporary. Summing them should not remove the retainer from its place within the market wards.

Forget Guild Leves

The ability to cancel/forget a Leve Quest, removing it from the interface.

Limitless Guild Leves

Use of a skill from another Class/Job, while out of combat automatically switches to the Arm in the ‘Class Interface’.