ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

It's probably too late at this point as we are in beta, but I'm not a fan of the icon changes. I typically don't pass judgement on graphics because I don't really care that much about them, but in playing beta I'm constantly distracted by the bright spots on talent bar, and distracting UI bothers me.

For instance:



Every time I look at something on the lower part of the map, this icon stands out like a sore thumb, in contrast to everything else on the screen. This lens flare effect doesn't belong on elements of the UI (because it's distracting).

There's a trend towards making the center of the icon bright, which makes the contrast between the light and dark parts of the icon too big, and this is distracting:









This type of effect just strains the eyes and doesn't make the icon look better:





Whoever is working on this, please consider the primary purpose of what you are creating - it's not about the cool effects, it's about being clear about what the icon represents and not being distracting to the player. Good icons are simple in design and easy to recognize and differentiate - they are not pictures.

I was going to comment on this but completely forgot. Sustaining a talent puts a bright yellow shade over the icon, letting you know that it's being sustained. Before, this made it easy to tell whether it was sustained or not. Black = not sustained; bright yellow = sustained. Now some icons just have bright backgrounds all the time (Chronomancy/Energy is the main example I'm thinking of, made even worse by the fact that it's yellow) and this makes it very difficult to tell if it's being sustained. I don't even mind distractions but when an indicator graphic is unable to indicate something, that's more than just an aesthetic preference; it's a functional failure. Icon backgrounds need to be kept stark black.

Thanks for the feedback. I've been worrying about overdoing the glowy stuff a bit and hadn't done all that much playing on the beta. Anyway it's better to hear something like this early. Going to go over the Archmage and paradox stuff and tone it down a bit.

Good icons are simple in design and easy to recognize and differentiate - they are not pictures.

They have a dual function, I'd say, at least in entertainment and when not running nuclear power plants.

jotwebe wrote:

Good icons are simple in design and easy to recognize and differentiate - they are not pictures.

They have a dual function, I'd say, at least in entertainment and when not running nuclear power plants.

I haven't played the beta yet, but I agree with supermini. I think the entertainment aspect should take a back seat (way, way back) to other considerations. Anyone with poor eyesight like myself will thank you for it, or at the very least won't curse you. The UI is not the place to get fancy if it's at all departmental to clarity. Developers have to remember that not everyone has the same cut-off point. I think the smart approach is not to get as complicated as you think you can get away with, but to leave a wide margin for others.

As a reference point, those bottom two images in the first post are how I see unfiltered icons. Those two give me a headache as my eyes and brain try to correct for something that can't be removed.

I agree that simplicity for ability icons is key. Perhaps an option to switch between the new/old icons would be nice.

The new direction does remind me of over saturated games with excessive lens flare, or 420 montages. Although I do like the Ashes icons.

Just finished redoing the archmage ones. Examples: Better, or still too busy?

Looks nicer to me. Thanks!

Really dig those new ones, thanks for all your effort, looks great!

That looks good to me.

Much better, thank you!

I think that's much better. My preference would be to have them even crisper, but that's more personal taste at this point, I would say.

The re-redone ones are great.