User Interface Improvements?

Let me start by saying the game play and the main mechanics of the game I am enjoying immensely. The one glaring issue I can find with the PC version of the game is just how unfriendly the interface is. I am studying for a software engineering degree and user interface design is one of the caveats I am focusing on. Here are a few gripes I have with the interface as it stands now: there are at least three separate menu screens where there could be one, the map can be a nightmare to use, weapon comparison is abrasive, and the inventory is intuitive.

Here are some suggestions that I think might work to help improve the UI for the better:

• Remove double click functionality from the map. Since there is a confirmation log on fast traveling it is redundant to have two levels of confirmation to go through. The double click to drag is also redundant since a user can hold and drag the map to move around.
• Get rid of the radial menu unless the user has controller input enabled. Put the menus as tabs at the top of the character screen.
• Add a mouse-over functionality for weapon comparison and get rid of the current comparison view.
• Add a contextual menu for items in the inventory screen(i.e. when the user right clicks on an item a list of options appear, should include equip, salvage, add mod, etc.).

I have searched on the PC forums to see if there is a thread discussing these points, but I have not found one. So I am sorry if this is a thread that has been created numerous times.

Hrm, I guess the overall issue is that the game was designed with the console in mind to begin with, thus the radial and the lack of a mouse-over functionality. The double click thing though is really annoying.

There have been games that have been for both console and PC that have gotten around this issue. The main problem is that it takes away development time because you have a group on the dev team working on a completely new interface for just one of the game's audiences, but it would make the game so much more friendly to use.

Good suggestions. Agree.

They are working on chat and UI improvements but not sure that it goes as far as making the PC UI more friendly for PC users.

On last Friday's Twitch TV show, Wilson said that the Chat system has been rewritten. He also said that we are likely to see the new system in the patch that comes at the same time as DLC1.

I agree as well. The wheels is extremely annoying. If I hit Esc, I'd rather have a menu box pop up with buttons labeled with words to click on as opposed to a dial with symbols I have to guess at what is what.

Also, fast travel on the map is annoying sometimes. The vendors and fast travel option are at many times, to close together and it becomes a pain to get the "sweet spot" and quickly pull my mouse away in hopes that it stayed on fast travel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MacDeath

On last Friday's Twitch TV show, Wilson said that the Chat system has been rewritten. He also said that we are likely to see the new system in the patch that comes at the same time as DLC1.

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Good stuff. Did he go into specifics or just a general "we have a new system" spiel?

Added a contextual menu suggestion to the first post. And please guys think of some stuff you would like to see.

This topic has been discussed ad nauseam since the testing phase. Trion, however, chose to ignore most of the constructive feedback during that period hence the state this game is in.


I wouldn't hold my breath for any major revamps of any sort.

Well having the issue continuously brought up means Trion will see it eventually. I just thought I would ad my two cents as to how to improve the UI.

And who knows, if we come up with a laundry list suggestions then Trion might implement some of them.