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  1. #1
    St. Fiat
    THE TIME FOR QUESTIONS
    HAS PASSED

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    On Clarity: A Salute to the FFXI Interface. - Alleya 07.31.08

    Though FFXI is often full of downtime, when the time for action arrives, speed and accuracy are key. To this end, the FFXI development team has slaved tirelessly on creating a UI that is unparalleled in the MMO world. This month, I'd like to salute their hard work on creating one of the best UI I have ever seen.


    The number one goal of any UI is to communicate as much information as possible to the user without taking up too much space. FFXI's status bar takes care of this with a series of icons that tell you every thing you need to know about what effects are on you- good and bad. Let's look at a few examples. Take, for instance, barspells:


    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon1.png


    With just a glance, the player knows that Barthunder is active, and not any of the other 12 barspells, shielding them from a monster's devastating elemental attacks. Moving on:


    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon1.png
    This one is obvious. The impenetrable protection of Phalanx is breathtakingly rendered.



    Gaze ye now upon the glorious radiance of Ballad:


    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon4.png
    And minuet!
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon4.png
    Let's not forget the potent DoT of Requiem:
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon4.png


    Let's look at some offensive buffs. Respectively: Berserk, Counterstance, Divine Seal, and War Cry, each unique effect masterfully rendered in icon form:


    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon2.pnghttp://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon2.pnghttp://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon2.pnghttp://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon2.png


    Practically works of art! Hey. Let's play a game. I'll show you an icon, you tell me what buff it is. Ok? Here we go:


    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/icon4.png


    Almost too easy, huh? I'm sure you know what it is so I won't insult you by spelling it out!


    By now it should be clear just how much work went into making the status bar as concise and communicative as possible. So let's look at other examples of SE's fantastic UI.


    Information about your character's stats are practically what the game revolves around. Again SE provides us with an at-a-glance interface to get all the relevant information in just seconds.




    Awesome. (Not pictured: Accuracy, ranged accuracy, ranged attack, haste, dps, enmity, recast timers, evasion, spell interruption rate, +/- HP mod, +/- MP mod)


    When it comes time to actually fight, information is once again key. When a dangerous HNM pops and all the LSs of the server must race down to Dragon's Aery to get claim on the fearsome Fafnir, creating an alliance quickly and accurately is very important. That's why SE created the Party List menu, to give you instant access to all the relevant information pertaining to your current party setup.




    During a hectic fight, communication is key. Knowing the MP of, TP of, and status effects on other party members, especially those in the other parties of the alliance, is key. The party list to the right of the screen will tell you all you need to know!




    Some HNMs require that those performing melee damage be able to disengage at a moment's notice, often in a panic after a powerful attack has rent a tank asunder! Luckily, a button to instantly disengage from the target monster is provided right on the battle menu. No confirmation is necessary, it just goes!




    I hope that my overview of the FFXI UI has given you a whole new perspective on what a...something... it is! See you next month!


    Here are the things we wiped to this month:


    Bahamut!
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/bahamut.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/bahamut2.jpg


    2x Bahamuts Staff
    1x Bahamuts Hose

    4x Bahamuts Mask


    Sky!

    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sky1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sky2.jpg


    Odin! Are you sure he drops oldworld abjurations?
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ein1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ein2.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/odin1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/odin2.jpg


    Dynamis! I'm pretty sure we did more than just kill 1 eft, though. /glare

    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/dyna1.jpg





    Omega!

    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/omega1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/omega2.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/omega3.jpg


    Sandworm!
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sandworm1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sandworm2.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sandworm3.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sandworm4.jpg

    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sandworm5.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sandworm6.jpg


    3x Avalon Breastplate
    2x Zahaks Mail

    1xVelocious Belt
    2xAvalon Shield
    2xWhite Tathlum
    2xBlack Tathlum
    1xFragarach

    1xOily Trousers



    Ixion!
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ixion1.jpg

    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ixion2.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ixion3.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ixion4.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ixion5.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ixion6.jpg


    4xIxion Cape
    6xHermes Sandles

    5xAzoth
    3xIxion Cloak


    And now for loot!



    Aeri and Cei are really excided about their Ixion cloaks. Also, Suzaku's scythe and cleric's cap/cleric's mitts.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/aeri1.jpg


    I rather enjoy my Azoth, White Tathlum, Black Tathlum, and Ixion Cloak. They call me king of WotG.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/alleya1.jpg


    Atumre's taru smashing will go even better with Bard's Cannions, Enkidu's Subligar, and Beast Slayer.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/atumre1.jpg


    Ceiyne attempts to recapture his lootwhore glory days with Azoth, Ixion Cloak, Summoner's Pigaches, and Zahak's Mail.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ceiyne1.jpg


    Drewbixcube's only puzzle is how he manages to not burn his own retinas looking in a mirror. Grats an Aurum Gauntlets and Oily Trousers.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/drewbixcube1.jpg


    I want to say something mean about Gizmosan but I've held out this far so I wont. Grats on Avalon Breastplate, Hermes Sandles, Black Tathlum, and Melee Crown.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/gizmo1.jpg


    If you're wondering, yes, Kazen does hate your fragile mind. Grats on Duelist's Boots, Hermes Sandles, Velocious Belt, and Valor Surcoat. I guess.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/gayzen.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/kazen2.jpg


    It's ok guys, Kuno has stoneskin and Terra Staff. Grats on Ixion Cape, Avalon Shield(lol?), and Hofud. Also grats on leading the way to a bright new future with Thunder Grip.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/kuno1.jpg


    The bellyshirt is Nikkei's fault. Grats Marius on Azoth and Summoner's Pigaches.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/marius1.jpg


    Not even Maxxan can stand to look at himself. Grats on Goliard Clogs and Enkidu's Subligar.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/max1.jpg


    I wonder who will win? Grats Nikkei on Avalon Breastplate.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/nikkei1.jpg


    Trust me, Nirokun will just keep asking you to go to his mog house until you do it. Grats on Ixion Cape, Shadow Trews, White Tathlum, Fragarach, Summoner's Bracers +1, and Monster Gloves.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/niro1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/niro2.jpg


    Septimus is probably deciding if he loves me or hates me for this update. Grats on Hermes Sandles, and grats to the floor of his mog house on Monster Trousers.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sept1.jpg


    Sonomaa is probably just glad I haven't said any swear words in this update. Grats on Hermes Sandles, Bahamut's Mask, Saotome Kabuto, Melee Hose, and Homam Corazza.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sonomaa1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/sonomaa2.jpg


    This is Toecutter/Barada. He got a Zahak's Mail and Duelist's Chapeau. The Night Rider knows who he is.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/toecutter1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/barada.jpg

    I almost forgot to put Tsukasaz in the update. These things happen. Grats on Ixion Cloak, Azoth, Adaman Sollerets, Hecatomb Leggings, Byakko's Axe, and Bahamut's Mask.
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/tsuk1.jpg

    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/tsuk2.jpg


    And whose UI was straightforward enough to bring in the most loot?


    It's a Ryphen! Grats on Black Tathlum, Avalon Breastplate, Ixion Cape, Byakko's Haidate, Suzaku Sune-ate, and Hecatomb Leggings.

    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ryph1.jpg
    http://www.bluegartr.com/img/073108/ryph2.jpg



    I wanted to make the humour in this update so impenatrible and esoteric that only 10 people on EARTH would get it, but I decided not to. You're welcome.

  2. #2
    Salvage Bans
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    Bismarck

    ahahaha oh man I laughed my ass off at the interface icons, probably because it's so true. Grats on your stuff guys, keep kickin' ass.

  3. #3
    Smells like Onions
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    Oh gawd...I laughed so hard reading this update. Good work, Alleya!!!!

  4. #4

    Bad Horse Posse wins the frontpage by far! Keep it up!

  5. #5
    The God Damn Kuno
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    Quote Originally Posted by NotGreyheim View Post
    Bad Horse Posse wins the frontpage by far! Keep it up!
    Ty (*'-')/

  6. #6
    Dice and rum
    Not necessarily in that order

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    Odin

    *dies at Bad Horse's singers* That's too funny. XD

  7. #7
    Salvage Bans
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    Silvermoon

    nikkei riding the sandworm was winar for me by far

  8. #8
    Champion of the House of Weave
    Sweaty Dick Punching Enthusiast

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    Sylph

    Awesome update! :D

    Also, the new Xavier header is neat.

    Edit: Answer to the quiz.

    The icon is clearly for March. That was almost too easy.

  9. #9
    E. Body
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    Arathor

    Quote Originally Posted by Tomiko View Post
    Awesome update! :D

    Also, the new Xavier header is neat.

    Edit: Answer to the quiz.

    The icon is clearly for March. That was almost too easy.

    That's not march that's Minne if I ever saw it! Gawd.

  10. #10
    Paging Dr. Nat
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    amazing!!

    awesome work haha

  11. #11
    ٩๏̯͡๏)۶

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    Hopefully SE takes a look and goes "By golly they're right".

    I mean as ossom as the in game icons for items are, I'd love for them to just recolour march/min etc so we know the differences between them, PS2 / XB players would probably be equally as happy to get them.

  12. #12
    Yoshi P
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    Leviathan

    I thought I noticed a new icon today in Campaign for Defense Down. It was something that a Shadoweye Gnat did.

    Is this new, or am I just dumb?:

    http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7...5183646md4.png

    *EDIT* Actually I guess it was just the icon for being afflicted by a Dance?

  13. #13
    The Once and Future Wamoura
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    Yes it was. Gnats transfer their debuffs to you via Pandemic Nip iirc

  14. #14
    The 69th Donor
    Pens win! Pens Win!!! PENS WIN!!!!!

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    Kil'jaeden

    Quote Originally Posted by Keria View Post
    nikkei riding the sandworm was winar for me by far
    I too enjoyed that pic.

  15. #15
    Relic Horn
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    I am glad this wasn't a koolaid-drinking honest to god praise of the FFXI Interface.

  16. #16
    Ridill
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dezzimal View Post
    I am glad this wasn't a koolaid-drinking honest to god praise of the FFXI Interface.
    I guess someone is new to our front page updates.

  17. #17
    Cerberus
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    A little late to comment on this, but the front page reminded me how my BRD friend was telling me that after Pianissimo was released he started using it to cast random spells on specific people, when they were not paying attention, to fuck with their Parse.

  18. #18

    Is that a carrot on Sonomaa's ass in the dynamis pic lol?

  19. #19
    Cookiez n Leechez
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    Quote Originally Posted by Afrohatch View Post
    Is that a carrot on Sonomaa's ass in the dynamis pic lol?
    No, that's a tail ribbon making Sonomaa's tail look like a carrot at that angle. Would explain why the efts kept chasing him around.

  20. #20
    Relic Horn
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    Quote Originally Posted by Septimus View Post
    I guess someone is new to our front page updates.
    Hey at least I know about the front page.

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