Redesigning and Overhauling the interface.

[Zosi]

Looks like a flash game... Awful.

A Flash game would be an improvement over the train wreck that is the current FFXI interface. The suggestions are good, maybe not what I'd do if I had complete control, but definitely better than SE's.

[nitsuj]

I was doing some research recently into using windower hooks to try and recreate that above UI but there are just so many things that are major headaches that it's not a project I'd like to attempt.

My original idea was to hide the entire UI and overlay the new UI on top. You could hook into the HP/MP/TP/Chatlog and display all of the basic stuff on screen. We could also hook into the keyboard commands so that clicking the '-' key would open our NEW window. But with the UI hidden, I believe there's no way to target things with the mouse and I'm not sure how easy it would be to manually target using the tab key (although I'm sure we can get creatures in our field of view, I'm not sure how easy it would be to iterate through the ones on your horizon vector like SE does now).

If we were to take up this task of a complete overhaul, I just don't think we would get far enough to make it anything more than "hey man, check out what I can do.... now let me turn it off and go camp Fafnir).

As to the OP, I appreciate what you're trying to suggest here, but its too little too late. If we're going to invest any form of effort into a community UI, or if SE is going to invest in a new UI for 360/PC players, it needs to be a MUCH larger undertaking than just moving around menus. But that's just my opinion.

[Jkun]

Let me see my total Accuracy+ and my Automaton's MP so I don't have to keep opening the equipment menu every fucking time, kthx.

[Therin]

The "area" bar is gay, displaying the text name of a player's linkshell is gay (pearl color icon ftw), the naked-midget-version of your target in the bottom left is gay, the recast time window is gay, and telling me my name/job combo on the bottom of the screen is gay. I know what my name is and I know what my job/subjob is, so that just takes up space.

The best things about that UI: transparent windows, integrated targetting (meaning it's part of the bottom menu rather than popping up another block elsewhere the clutters shit up even more), and a movable chatlog.

Things that I'd like to see:

- Transparent windows (with an adjustable bar).
- A dual-targetting system similar to Warhammer Online for defensive spells: Keep Fafnir targetted to quick-hit that Sleep macro while curing your alliance and buffing people with defensive spells, since obviously you'll neither be casting Sleep on players nor Refresh on a dragon any time soon.
- A zoom-able minimap in the upper-right portion of the screen to display your location (with the option to turn it off when you're in zones like Dynamis that have no map so that it doesn't just display a big black box).
- Movable chatlog.
- Get rid of the bullshit "can't do this while this other window is open" thing, as other people have suggested.
- Remove the disappearing alliances bug.
- On-screen loot distribution pool that we can turn on/off as needed (on for Dynamis/Limbus, off for merits and long fights, etc.).
- Decent quest log. What we have now blows donkeyballs, I'd prefer a Oblivion/WAR-esque book that allows us to sort and keep up with quests better.
- Alliance MP and TP for party members.
- Visible RACC/RATT/Acc stats and the like in the equipment menu.
- Compass that isn't hidden. <_>

The problem with FFXI is that it has this "we don't want you to use the mouse at all" feature that basically means that you can only control one thing at a time, because your arrow keys and enter keys only operate whatever window is currently open and nothing else.

[Ruiner]

- A zoom-able minimap in the upper-right portion of the screen to display your location (with the option to turn it off when you're in zones like Dynamis that have no map so that it doesn't just display a big black box).

Sup ApRadar.

[Therin]

Did you seriously just compare something that I was suggesting for a new UI to a third-party program? Wow, you're really smart. . .

The whole idea behind an upgraded UI is so that you don't have to use third-party programs.

[Builttolast]

Did you seriously just compare something that I was suggesting for a new UI to a third-party program? Wow, you're really smart. . .

The whole idea behind an upgraded UI is so that you don't have to use third-party programs.

See EQ2. Sony adapts their UI to be more in line with the 3rd party UIs. It started off pretty average but has evolved. Unlike SE who doesn't seem to understand that evolution is not only possible but necessary.

[Ruiner]

Did you seriously just compare something that I was suggesting for a new UI to a third-party program? Wow, you're really smart. . .

The whole idea behind an upgraded UI is so that you don't have to use third-party programs.

At least it's available. There's nothing you can do about other shit, like "You cannot do this with that window open," locked chatlog, and invisible stats.

[Thistle]

The "area" bar is gay, displaying the text name of a player's linkshell is gay (pearl color icon ftw), the naked-midget-version of your target in the bottom left is gay, the recast time window is gay, and telling me my name/job combo on the bottom of the screen is gay. I know what my name is and I know what my job/subjob is, so that just takes up space.

I disagree with every single thing in that paragraph, including your use of the word "gay".

Unless of course you mean that you believe that those elements have genders and are currently having sex with other elements of the same gender. If that's the case, I'd like to hear more about your interface ideas!

[Colenzo]

Only thing that I find that fake interface is missing is a TP gauge on the bottom and wheres the party list?

[Lexa]

I kinda like having the Trade option available from the main menu as well as the little menu. >.>; It doesn't happen often, but every once in a blue moon, I need to be traded something in battle. I'm one of those awful "just in case" people.

The dream-version of someone's UI looks sweet in that the transparent windows and the font looks clean and crisp. I hate the little naked character thingy, and I don't want ls names displayed. Also, the little floating box with recast timers look weird.

[Siralin]

I kinda like having the Trade option available from the main menu as well as the little menu. >.>; It doesn't happen often, but every once in a blue moon, I need to be traded something in battle. I'm one of those awful "just in case" people.

I wish there was something you could type to initialize trade with someone.

[_chuchu]

I wish there was something you could type to initialize trade with someone.

^

[BRP]

The only thing that really bothered me was playing with controllers/console(Xbox360): Like I give a shit about a button that lets me log out. Give me a tab-key button and a button I can set to open magic menu. If I plugged a controller to my PC I would have no problems really.

I have this wild belief that every single button for every single game for every single platform should be 100% customizable. Gaming industry, agree with me.

[ShiggidySchwah]

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m...f0fd5ffgg3.jpg

i liked it until i noticed that thunder 3 is in his recasts

also why are there arrows in two places on the ui

[Spira]

its not a bad mock up really. visually very appealing cos of the clever use of transparencies but overall poorly thought out in terms of execution.

Not fond of the naked midget myself. I'd think the face of the character would suffice, preferably with it updating according to whatever equipment you're wearing. Otherwise, it doesn't have to be there at all.

Choice of fonts are good. Plain and clear white, with black outlines (no outlines just make it look horrible imo, see other MMOs like WoW for eg)

I dont think any thought was put into how the pet, NPC as well as party and alliance member info would be represented.

basically what this looks to me is what FFXI would look like if the apple osx guy designed the GUI, but the microsoft vista guy implemented it. mostly fluff..

[Cutriss]

I kinda like having the Trade option available from the main menu as well as the little menu. >.>; It doesn't happen often, but every once in a blue moon, I need to be traded something in battle. I'm one of those awful "just in case" people.

I was under the impression that engaging in battle immediately canceled any trade requests or trades in progress. Salvage makes this grossly apparent, as I'm trying to trade a cell to a melee who won't just buy it from my bazaar.

[Lexa]

Engaging in battle cancels trade requests, but not if you're already engaged. It's good for longer-type fights, but quite honestly, hardly ever happens.

People who refuse to buy cells from bazaars and needs, needs, needs them traded during Salvage needs kicked in the head.

[happydude]

but i want to keep my 1gil ;( w

[Starr]

See EQ2. Sony adapts their UI to be more in line with the 3rd party UIs. It started off pretty average but has evolved. Unlike SE who doesn't seem to understand that evolution is not only possible but necessary.

Didn't you hear? PS2 has limitations.