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[Column] Elder Scrolls Online: The UI - Has It Won You Over?
SBFord
Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
The MMO community is a weird one. We demand that games take a chance and do something new and innovative, yet we get upset when those new things aren’t what we’re used to. The Elder Scrolls Online received a lot of this attention even before the game was being released. ESO’s User Interface (UI) is minimalist. If you asked me my opinions of it two years ago, I would have told you it sucked. However looking at it now, almost a year after it’s been released, I think it is a great UI. But it could be slightly better.
Read more of Ryan Getchell's Elder Scrolls Online: The UI - Has It Won You Over?
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Comments
I'm really starting to get excited to play ESO on XB1.
I love the B2P model, I'm used to the initial investment of $60 and like that after that I get to choose to spend more if I want to, but rarely need to.
And unlike F2P, I don't feel constantly nickle and dimed or locked out of essential content.
I like the minimalist UI - I've always tried for / used as minimal of a UI as I can get away with in games - it really does heighten immersion.
I like the 3rd/1st person options - I always played ES games 1st person, and probably will for ESO, but I like that the option is there and not just a tacked on part of the game.
The completion junky in me loves the implementation of the veteran rank content - having 3/3 of the content available on one character versus 1/3 only is a huge plus.
I like the more "open" class system - like it is skill/use based to an extent. Like you can use any weapon. Fits well with the limited action bar.
I honestly like that the game has been out for a year/over a year by the console launch, plenty of time and new content and feedback etc. to make a better game than it was at launch for PC.
Finally, I don't really have a PC-playing group of friends anymore, we're all on console games - so I have a lot more opportunity for group/guild play with friends on the console version than I would on PC.
Well, ESO is minimalist considering it was planned to be adapted to something else as well. That something else is very obvious, so i won't even need to point it out.
Either way, i always prefer a modifiable UI for those seeking something else.
since coming back to ESO a month and a half ago, I have really enjoyed it. it is WAY better than when I left (played 2 months at start).
I really like the UI and I think it has become the best mmorpg currently out there.
anyway, I think it is fun.
Sz
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ESO's UI is perfect the way it is, for me. I hate clutter. The UI is very clean.....
Way to go! Only mentioning more or less positive things?
You just forgot the potion wheel?
Must be the worst piece of UI in any game ever made.
So bad I refuse to use it.
I never really had any big issues with it, except maybe the difficulty of navigating the inventory windows (inventory, bank etc.) with lots of items while searching for a specific item.
Combat UI was fine, only thing it really lacked (and could be easily fixed with an addon) was the buff / debuff icons.
Personally, I am not a fan of an overly simplistic/minimalist UI.
I prefer to be able to move UI elements around and re-size them as I see fit. I like my target indicators, mini-map, chat window, hotbar(s), etc in specific locations on my display.
Granted, I have been somewhat spoiled by the level of UI customizability offered by the EQ mmos in which players are granted near complete control of UI element placement, size and volume without necessity of 3rd party add-ons.
Being locked into a UI framework feels extremely limiting and forces me to adjust my play-style and comfort / emmersion level to what the the game designers 'think' should be playable for the majority of players.
That's me though. I'm sure the greater majority would disgree.
Personally, I am not a fan of an overly simplistic/minimalist UI.
I prefer to be able to move UI elements around and re-size them as I see fit. I like my target indicators, mini-map, chat window, hotbar(s), etc in specific locations on my display.
Granted, I have been somewhat spoiled by the level of UI customizability offered by the EQ mmos in which players are granted near complete control of UI element placement, size and volume without necessity of 3rd party add-ons.
Being locked into a UI framework feels extremely limiting and forces me to adjust my play-style and comfort / emmersion level to what the the game designers 'think' should be playable for the majority of players.
That's me though. I'm sure the greater majority would disgree.
I find it a bit cumbersome to use the quickslot wheel so I basically just use the one thing I put there the heal .I would have liked to use the magicka or stamina potion but alas every time I try to use it I am so busy fighting the wheel I am almost killed. The rest of the UI I have gotten used to.
I do not mind limited action bars in Everquest when I started in 1999 there were only 8 slots for spells and you had to decide which spells to put in there depending on which dungeon you were going to.
I also grows on you and I find myself avoiding MODs that add too much to the existing UI. It really is a thing of beauty in how minimalistic it is.
"If I offended you, you needed it" -Corey Taylor
All Time Favorites: EQ1, WoW, EvE, GW1
Playing Now: WoW, ESO, GW2
Same here. I haven't played ESO a while, and I doubt I will, but the entire UI is something I profoundly dislike about the game. I always have the feeling I don't get the info I want to have at a given moment. I prefer more "classic" MMO UIs. EQ2 used to have a good one, GW2 currently has quite a good one, too.
Sorry, but ESO UI looks totally amateureish, like from the early MMO stoneage.
One of the things which aggravates me about the ESO devs was right away, how they have "their" vision, and then it's eat or die. I just prefer a game which adapts to my playstyle, not the other way around. There are so many comfort things in a good MMO. Like the GW2 AH: I can be at the depth of the dungeon, but if my bags are full, 2 minutes and I put it all quickly on the AH, and the dungeon run can go on. In that way I fight the actual MOBS not the UI or the system. Or nameplates: Sorry, but I can not memorize people in ESO just from the looks. Without nameplates, I never remember people at all. I could go on, but overall, I want a UI and system with options to play as I want, not as someone else wants me to play.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
The UI is terrible. Some call it "minimalist" but its actually LACKING ( i guess minimalist is nicer word for it?). I can make other games UI look like ESO. Just turn off everything. Ta - da. Not to mention various menues. And guild traders? Dont get me started on THAT one.
GW2 UI is minimalist.
And yes, i can TURN OFF namplates in GW2. But i CANT TURN them ON in ESO. In what universe is THAT better option? People still attack me in dungeons/open world and im pushing vet levels lol. THATS how good UI is.
And you are absolutely right, players interact with UI almost constantly. THATS why its most important to be EASILY customizible, and not need 10-15 various addons (hope that somebody actually made addon and is updating it) to just make it into something not terrible. Thats addons that do BASIC stuff, nothing fancy like foundry stuff.
Its definitely NOT one size fits all element.
Thats really not an exuse. They could have good UI and option "Elder Scrolls UI" that just turns of everything.
And what makes you think people liked ES UI on PC? Theres tons of mods for that one too, and are most popular ones iirc.
As a GW2 player I'm pretty surprised that a Staff Elementalist is speaking of how GW2 players lack useful rotations in comparison to ESO. Just some of the basics that are useful in situations we see on the screenshot above:
F4+2+F1+2 = 4 stacks of Might on surrounding players
F4+2+F2+4 = Frost Aura
F4+2+F2+3 or 5 = Regeneration
Also you have the option to use alternate blast finishers (in case you have F4 on cooldown) in the above example rotations with the Evasive Arcana Trait as you dodge roll and blast into fields while also debuffing and bombing a specific area besides the beneficial effects. You can have a lot of dodge rolls with various Ele builds.
Freecasting from a wall in Fire Attunement while all the other more useful Attunements are up is just not a smart move regardless of you're squishy or not since you can't benefit from buffs and condi removals while you're away from the others. I assume it was for the sake of making a screenshot though. But still you can bomb your commander tag to support the front line.
Also *Food Reminder*
Just turn off enemy and friendly player name plates in the options menu and feel free to not see weak points of the enemy team while fighting against zergs. It's just not a good idea to do so but still it's optional.
I'm not sure I can name a "B2P" title that doesn't have a cash shop.
Guild Wars 2 - Cash shop
Secret World - Cash Shop
Come to think of it, many mmo's have cash shops regardless.
on topic:
As far as the UI goes, I've always loved the minimal ui.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Yeh I thought the comment of:
"Guild Wars 2 hosts a limited action bar, but it doesn’t come close to the way ESO implemented it. ESO has so many more options available to the player that the amounts of combinations and rotations that can be created are tenfold in comparison to Guild Wars 2."
was kind of out of touch and laced with to much emotional attachment to the game he is currently playing to realize how silly that sounds.
I would love to see someone counter what you said by actually explaining what Ryan means about ESO having more options. I think they will be stumped when they try.
"If I offended you, you needed it" -Corey Taylor
oh wait, I did forget about that. Yeah, that part is atrocious.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
The UI is fine for ESO. I like it.
Inventory management sucks. Lack of storage space, sucks.
Rodigo you have to agree there are many more options for skill set up than in GW2.