I've said this before, and I'll say it again and again.
Almost all games in a specific genre have similar interfaces. RPGs, MMOs, FPS, RTS, etc. Compare DOOM with Duke Nukem, Half-life, and Halo. Every one of those games has a slight twist on the general UI.
If an MMORPG decided to go down a different path and conjure up a completely unique UI it would be disasterous. Why? Because people like things they are used to. DOOM or Wolfenstein had their HP and AMMO at the bottom of the screen so you could watch it constantly. If another game tried to put HP in the top corner, that's fine. If a game put the HP on the pause menu, though? Bad move. What if there was no hp meter, or perhaps there was a "You're dead or almost dead" text pop up that? Bad move.
When I log on the first time playing Warhammer I want to see a familiar interface. I want an action bar, and you know what? I was the numbers 1 - 0 to be the already assigned button commands. I want to see my HP/Mana in the top corner, and I want it to be clear. I also want an overhead map so I know where the hell I am. Why? Because relearning how to spot important information in a game which caters to a hobby I already enjoy is stupid. I want to get right into combat/grinding and I don't want to spend ten minutes going "I WONDER HOW TO SHOT WEB!?"
WoW is also not the first MMORPG to use an action bar, overhead map, and many other features. Check out Asheron's Call.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again and again.
Almost all games in a specific genre have similar interfaces. RPGs, MMOs, FPS, RTS, etc. Compare DOOM with Duke Nukem, Half-life, and Halo. Every one of those games has a slight twist on the general UI.
If an MMORPG decided to go down a different path and conjure up a completely unique UI it would be disasterous. Why? Because people like things they are used to. DOOM or Wolfenstein had their HP and AMMO at the bottom of the screen so you could watch it constantly. If another game tried to put HP in the top corner, that's fine. If a game put the HP on the pause menu, though? Bad move. What if there was no hp meter, or perhaps there was a "You're dead or almost dead" text pop up that? Bad move.
When I log on the first time playing Warhammer I want to see a familiar interface. I want an action bar, and you know what? I was the numbers 1 - 0 to be the already assigned button commands. I want to see my HP/Mana in the top corner, and I want it to be clear. I also want an overhead map so I know where the hell I am. Why? Because relearning how to spot important information in a game which caters to a hobby I already enjoy is stupid. I want to get right into combat/grinding and I don't want to spend ten minutes going "I WONDER HOW TO SHOT WEB!?"
WoW is also not the first MMORPG to use an action bar, overhead map, and many other features. Check out Asheron's Call.
I agree with this completely. Aside from confusing MMO players with radical changes to the UI, the current layout of UI works quite well. WoW's interface is a product of a decade of evolutionary refinement of the system. Creating an all new UI would be the same as trying to reinvent the wheel, just to build a cart.
Of course, there's always room for improvement. If the complainers are up to the challenge, maybe they should design a new UI for MMOs. Remember, you'll need a chat window, a protrait with character info, group information, a toolbar for abilities, a minimap, and loot bags. Let's see what you can come up with, since you're so much more innovative and creative than the game developers.
Seriously. It's Are'el. This forum doesn't allow apostrophes in usernames.
Comments
Almost all games in a specific genre have similar interfaces. RPGs, MMOs, FPS, RTS, etc. Compare DOOM with Duke Nukem, Half-life, and Halo. Every one of those games has a slight twist on the general UI.
If an MMORPG decided to go down a different path and conjure up a completely unique UI it would be disasterous. Why? Because people like things they are used to. DOOM or Wolfenstein had their HP and AMMO at the bottom of the screen so you could watch it constantly. If another game tried to put HP in the top corner, that's fine. If a game put the HP on the pause menu, though? Bad move. What if there was no hp meter, or perhaps there was a "You're dead or almost dead" text pop up that? Bad move.
When I log on the first time playing Warhammer I want to see a familiar interface. I want an action bar, and you know what? I was the numbers 1 - 0 to be the already assigned button commands. I want to see my HP/Mana in the top corner, and I want it to be clear. I also want an overhead map so I know where the hell I am. Why? Because relearning how to spot important information in a game which caters to a hobby I already enjoy is stupid. I want to get right into combat/grinding and I don't want to spend ten minutes going "I WONDER HOW TO SHOT WEB!?"
WoW is also not the first MMORPG to use an action bar, overhead map, and many other features. Check out Asheron's Call.
See anything familiar?
Doktar - 70 Troll Priest - Perenolde
I agree with this completely. Aside from confusing MMO players with radical changes to the UI, the current layout of UI works quite well. WoW's interface is a product of a decade of evolutionary refinement of the system. Creating an all new UI would be the same as trying to reinvent the wheel, just to build a cart.
Of course, there's always room for improvement. If the complainers are up to the challenge, maybe they should design a new UI for MMOs. Remember, you'll need a chat window, a protrait with character info, group information, a toolbar for abilities, a minimap, and loot bags. Let's see what you can come up with, since you're so much more innovative and creative than the game developers.
Seriously.
It's Are'el. This forum doesn't allow apostrophes in usernames.