Pumpkins
09-03-2008, 02:47 PM
Darkfall Interface (work in progress)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INTERFACE ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED TO SHOW FUNCTIONALITY, NOT TO LOOK GOOD.
The interface is still a bit rough looking, so we'll be making a few cosmetic changes before release, but it's fully functional and pretty much completed.
We wanted to have an interface that the players would notice as little as possible, a daunting task in itself, since Darkfall has so many menu-driven features. We also wanted it to feel familiar to players so they didn't have to spend hours learning to use it. We adopted most of the functionality our players are used to from the Windows operating system. Resizing of windows, dragging and dropping windows freely around, minimizing windows, setting and adjusting the transparency of individual windows, opening and closing, overlapping windows, etc. - it's all in there.
Backpack
The backpack does not use slots; items can be moved around freely. Going this route was a tough decision to make, as it took a lot more time to make the inventory freely placeable than to implement the traditional item slot system most other games use.
It took a lot of extra work, but we are very happy about spending the time and resources on getting it the way it was designed in the first place, instead of cutting corners.
Paperdoll
The Darkfall paperdoll is pretty straightforward. Drag and drop items you want to equip from your backpack onto it. What the screenshots don't show is a 3D moving representation of your character behind the equipment icons. This will function as a mirror of your character, so you can admire how it looks and moves in newly crafted mithril dwarven platemail and matching helmet. This feature will be implemented soon.
Six rings can be equipped, and when equipping a two-handed weapon, the shield icon is grayed out to illustrate that both hands are busy. Cape and robe can be worn at the same time, and over armor if so desired.
Hotbar
The row of icons in the top left corner is what we call the hotbar. You can drag spells and skills here, for easier access.
Mini-Map
The mini-map displays where you are at the moment. You are always in the center of the map. We will add the name of the area you are in, and your coordinates as well.
Current Effects
The small icons on top of the screen are just placeholders for now, but this is where we will list the current spell or skill effects on your character.
System & Chat Windows
We went for two different text windows - one for system messages and one for chatting. The system window will spam information during fights, so two different windows make it easier to keep track of important messages and conversations.
Darkfall Browser
It's our very own in-game web browser, a very cool feature that we are really excited about. The browser is used for in-game message boards, in-game trade boards, in-game clan sites, statistics, in-game books and more. As you can see from the screenshots, transparency can be set for the browser too.
Interface 1 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120101.jpg)
Interface 2 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120102.jpg)
Interface 3 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120104.jpg)
Interface 4 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120103.jpg)
Original:
IGN Rpg Vault (http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/442/442426p1.html)
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INTERFACE ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED TO SHOW FUNCTIONALITY, NOT TO LOOK GOOD.
The interface is still a bit rough looking, so we'll be making a few cosmetic changes before release, but it's fully functional and pretty much completed.
We wanted to have an interface that the players would notice as little as possible, a daunting task in itself, since Darkfall has so many menu-driven features. We also wanted it to feel familiar to players so they didn't have to spend hours learning to use it. We adopted most of the functionality our players are used to from the Windows operating system. Resizing of windows, dragging and dropping windows freely around, minimizing windows, setting and adjusting the transparency of individual windows, opening and closing, overlapping windows, etc. - it's all in there.
Backpack
The backpack does not use slots; items can be moved around freely. Going this route was a tough decision to make, as it took a lot more time to make the inventory freely placeable than to implement the traditional item slot system most other games use.
It took a lot of extra work, but we are very happy about spending the time and resources on getting it the way it was designed in the first place, instead of cutting corners.
Paperdoll
The Darkfall paperdoll is pretty straightforward. Drag and drop items you want to equip from your backpack onto it. What the screenshots don't show is a 3D moving representation of your character behind the equipment icons. This will function as a mirror of your character, so you can admire how it looks and moves in newly crafted mithril dwarven platemail and matching helmet. This feature will be implemented soon.
Six rings can be equipped, and when equipping a two-handed weapon, the shield icon is grayed out to illustrate that both hands are busy. Cape and robe can be worn at the same time, and over armor if so desired.
Hotbar
The row of icons in the top left corner is what we call the hotbar. You can drag spells and skills here, for easier access.
Mini-Map
The mini-map displays where you are at the moment. You are always in the center of the map. We will add the name of the area you are in, and your coordinates as well.
Current Effects
The small icons on top of the screen are just placeholders for now, but this is where we will list the current spell or skill effects on your character.
System & Chat Windows
We went for two different text windows - one for system messages and one for chatting. The system window will spam information during fights, so two different windows make it easier to keep track of important messages and conversations.
Darkfall Browser
It's our very own in-game web browser, a very cool feature that we are really excited about. The browser is used for in-game message boards, in-game trade boards, in-game clan sites, statistics, in-game books and more. As you can see from the screenshots, transparency can be set for the browser too.
Interface 1 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120101.jpg)
Interface 2 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120102.jpg)
Interface 3 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120104.jpg)
Interface 4 (http://vaultmedia.ign.com/rpgvault/image/darkfall120103.jpg)
Original:
IGN Rpg Vault (http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/442/442426p1.html)