[dev1135] UI Adjustments (09/12/2011)

[Bayohne]

Yoshida made a comment about the upcoming classification of equipment using a color-coded system in the upcoming patch that I wanted to share with you all.

The best part about this new feature is that a "simplified universal language" for the player community will be established. MMORPGs have a real time aspect compared to stand alone RPGs for consoles, thus have more complex specs. If the MMORPG carries on for a long time, thousands of items may be implemented.

As the number of items increases, their names tend to become longer, and if the items can be upgraded, statuses will increase, so the whole situation becomes very complicated.

Players who are new to Eorzea will not know which items to choose out of the many possibilities when trying to equip gear to strengthen their characters. Especially for suggested gear, it is difficult to distinguish whether the gear is appropriate or not.

Therefore, new players may ask their fellow LS members or experienced players questions such as:
"Which gear should I equip?"
"I got this weapon during a quest, but is it strong?"

In this instance, it is very difficult to type in an item with a very long name or explain to a new player the effects of a weapon. We would like new players to simply enjoy Eorzea quickly, and learn the more complicated nuances over time.

It would be best to provide simple answers such as:
"Um, you should be fine if you equip items that are green to you! "
"When your gear becomes weak, it will turn grey, so you should look for new gear when that happens! "
"As long as you do that, in the early stages it is OK to select your gear based on appearance! "
"Items that have their name displayed in blue are very good, so don’t sell them or throw them away!"

MMORPGs are games that cannot function without the player community. I think that it is very important for these games to have a "concise universal language that is easy to understand."

Thus if we allow the option to turn this feature ON/OFF, a universal language will not be established. If this setting is not at least set to ON by default, there would be no purpose in implementing this.

The fact that all of you are playing Final Fantasy with passion and pride is very clear to us developers. We, the development team, and the operations team will continue to develop/operate the game with passion and pride.

We understand very well, that some players will have the opinion:
"I don’t want the aesthetic aspect of the game to be hindered by making the game too colorful!"

However, we believe that implementing this feature is necessary so that the "Final Fantasy MMORPG" is easier to understand and friendlier for the players.

I am sure that conversations similar to the ones I have posted will take place over chat following implementation. When that happens, I will be happy if you think back on this post.

[MeowyWowie]

In this instance, it is very difficult to type in an item with a very long name or explain to a new player the effects of a weapon.

Lol this made me giggle. If someone has trouble typing, what on earth are they doing playing an MMO in the first place?

Still, +1 to the post and thank you, Bayohne.

[Konachibi]

Lol this made me giggle. If someone has trouble typing, what on earth are they doing playing an MMO in the first place?

Still, +1 to the post and thank you, Bayohne.

Why kind of sword is he planning anyways?? The Fear Not For Whom The Bell Tolls It Tolls For Thee Sword?

[Naylia]

Why kind of sword is he planning anyways?? The Fear Not For Whom The Bell Tolls It Tolls For Thee Sword?

Yes, please! I'll take one!

[Zahak]

Why kind of sword is he planning anyways?? The Fear Not For Whom The Bell Tolls It Tolls For Thee Sword?

One does not simply walk into Mordhona Sword

[Zangetsu]

Why kind of sword is he planning anyways?? The Fear Not For Whom The Bell Tolls It Tolls For Thee Sword?

Obviously SAM is coming. Go look up names of GKT from XI. =P

[Estellios]

Lol this made me giggle. If someone has trouble typing, what on earth are they doing playing an MMO in the first place?

Still, +1 to the post and thank you, Bayohne.

I think the point is more along the lines of instead of answering that question with "At level X you should look into Items A, B, or C because (long-winded game mechanics)" (I have done this ) you can simply say "look for gear that is Green" without overwhelming newbies.

[MeowyWowie]

I think the point is more along the lines of instead of answering that question with "At level X you should look into Items A, B, or C because (long-winded game mechanics)" (I have done this ) you can simply say "look for gear that is Green" without overwhelming newbies.

Yea I understand the reason for the decision, but maybe I should have bolded the spelling long words part lol. Made me /facepalm for a minute xD

[Kraggy]

Lol this made me giggle. If someone has trouble typing, what on earth are they doing playing an MMO in the first place?

Still, +1 to the post and thank you, Bayohne.

Probably using a console where using the keyboard is a hindrance. Other games solves the 'long name' problem by allowing a simple click on an item in one's inventory or equipped gear pastes the item's name into the chatlog, from where other players can click the name and get the tooltip for the item.

I'm sure SE have seen this, presumably there's a reason they haven't bothered doing that.

[Finuve]

Thus if we allow the option to turn this feature ON/OFF, a universal language will not be established. If this setting is not at least set to ON by default, there would be no purpose in implementing this.

I dont remember anyone saying they wanted to disable the color coding feature, juse the XP popups that are being added