Feedback for Dirty Bomb UI
Build:13988 Release 18:00 23/11/2012
DX9
Below is my UI feedback for Dirty Bomb part 1. I need more experience in actual gameplay to give additional feedback concerning action UI. This is my opinion and I stand by it but hopefully it at least spawns (no pun intended) some discussion. It is human nature to point out things we don’t like over things we do like.
Priority=1 to 5 where 5 is most important to me.
OVERALL UI
Overall the UI is very similar to Brink. My impression is that SD is going for a clean, almost Apple device sort of look. Overall the UI is very pleasing to the eye although that concept clashes with the post “dirty bomb” scenario where I suspect things would be a little more hectic, dirty, and put together on the fly. I admit I do not have a full grasp of the story behind the action so maybe this is explained in the narrative. The game HUD appears to have been designed by someone used to playing games on a console or on a TV from a distance and not a PC with a much closer screen. Additionally, my initial observation is that the color palette is very grey which is in contrast to the color palette that was used in Brink; however, urban streets tend to be grey or black so… yeah. I still maintain that SD has the best artists in the business. I’m not sucking up. I really believe this and have since ETQW.
LIMBO MENU (Menu when you start the game and hit escape)
Quit Option
Priority:5
Why isn’t QUIT immediately visible in the menu at the top of the screen? Why is it in options?
Spawn Timer
Priority:5
This screen needs a spawn timer. A big, bold spawn timer.
Mouse position
Priority: 1
All of the options that I can choose are on the left side of the screen. My mouse cursor position should default over there as well and not in the middle of the screen with the model. Hell, the sucker should flash yellow to show me where it is so I know immediately where it is after hitting escape.
Field Ops Symbol
Priority: 1
To me, the field ops symbol looks like a radio symbol or sound coming out of a speaker in stereo. I do not understand how this implies FOPS. This symbol does not immediately tell me what this class does.
Color of Text/Menus
Priority:1
This comment comes from Brink and Shacknews comments. In short, SOME people (vocal minority) did not like Brink’s grey text on a white background in the main menu. I personally thought it was easy to see but I noticed you are going with white text again and I wanted to mention this. Really, it’s more to draw attention to the artists and menu designers to take a step back and think about if the text is easy to read.
CONTROLS MENU
Mouse Sensitivity Option
Priority :5
This is a big one guys. First, I would like to say that I LOVE the numbers on the slider bar when setting mouse sensitivity. I use a Razer DeathAdder Firmware 1.40 Driver 3.03, Polling rate 500Hz 900 dpi. In general, I’d say that Unreal 3 engine pretty much sucks the big balls in terms of nice mouse movement. My current setting is 5 on the slider bar. Now I know how to set sensitivity in the console or the config file assuming the developer doesn’t get crazy and lock those down. I also know that I can change the dpi in my mouse setup. I also know that I am not the only person that deals with this problem. I would really, really like more dynamic range on the low end of the scale. Perhaps a check box that switches the slider scale from 0-10 for people like myself.
Mouse Y-Axis
Priority:4
Because of the problems I have with mouse sensitivity, I would really like a slider or variable for the y-axis of my mouse (m_pitch). I have this set up in my mouse software but in game I really need to decrease the y-axis sensitivity even at mouse sensitivity 5.
Disable Tool Tips
Priority:4
I want an option to disable tool tips or hints if I haven’t missed it multiple times. They display in the middle of the screen and that isn’t cool.
Secondary Fire in Menu Options
Priority:3
Does this mean aim down sight(ADS)? Throw grenade? This description of “secondary fire” is not clear. Maybe it does multiple things.
Spaces in the List of Video and Control Binds
Priority:2
In the menus, there are spaces in the list of options. Are these place holders? It does not look clean to have spaces in the list of options.
Cannot Bind Backspace
Priority:1
You can think of me as a left handed player. In short, I use the keypad to the enter key. Having the backspace key stuck as “clear bind” limits a key I used in ETQW. However, there aren’t that many keys in Dirty Bomb and I can get by without binding backspace.
HUD
Spawn Timer
Priority:5
The HUD needs a spawn timer
Choose Class by F1-F4
Priority:5
I used the right side of the keyboard (keypad primarily). The keys to choose class need to be able to be rebound. Additionally the symbols upon death at the bottom of the screen with the keyboard shortcuts did not draw my attention until about the third death. I’m not saying it should fill the whole screen, but the choose class shortcuts could be more noticeable.
Vsays on Top of in Game Chat
Priority:5
WIP, I know.
Health Bar and Ability Bar
Priority:4
I like the bar at the bottom right which shows your med pack/ammo packs charging. However, there are two things in game I want to know at all times. My health and my ammo. Ammo is very clear but the health bar is as far away from the center of the screen as can be possible. Even with the bloodshot eye effect when taking damage, I want the health bar to be more noticeable. I will admit the HUD is it is very minimalistic and “competitive” in this respect. I’m NOT advocating going back to the Half Life:2 health and ammo indicators on the crosshairs. Ugh.
EDIT:Additionally I think the health bar needs a “+” or first aid symbol to let you know it’s the health bar. I didn’t realize that’s what it was at first.
Minimap in Lower Left Corner
Priority:3
WIP I know. Out of bounds areas need to be more clearly marked with brighter colors or more contrast. Could the paths of vehicles be marked on the map?
The blue circle in the middle of the minimap is confusing as I think there is a friendly right behind me.
Press F6 to Ready UP
Priority:2
This displays at the top of the screen in warmup. It SHOULD be it own line. What button is to UNREADY?