Comparing Equipment

[aztec]

The new way of comparing equipment seems more counter-intuitive compared to the old way. It's a good idea on paper, but in-game I find myself manually scrolling over to the equipped piece and the piece I want to replace it. I think it's just displaying too much information and especially with more complicated pieces of equipment it gets really busy. If people like the new way, perhaps adding an option in-game to turn it on and off? I do like the way Level-Up screen is set up now though.

Example:

[Grey]

I find it confusing too - much easier to scroll over the two separate pieces to compare. I preferred the old system of showing both boxes.

[Susramanian]

Different formatting might also help. Quite a few words could be eliminated, and the numbers could be lined up nicely along the left. Rough example:

Code: Select all

temporal rough leather gloves of
attack 
Crafted by a master
Powered by arcane forces
0 defense                                        
1 armor                                            
When wielded/worn:
10 accuracy                                   
5% temporal resist                            
3% temporal damage
When used to modify unarmed attacks:
6 to 6.6 base power (physical)
damage modifier(s):
40% dex, 40% cun, 40% str 
7 accuracy
1 armor penetration
4 physical crit
60% attack speed
4 temporal damage on strike

Using this format, lining comparison numbers along the right seems natural, though you'd have to include the stats that the starting item doesn't have (left out in my sample, but included in the OP's screenshot).

The new unarmed attack info on gloves is particularly messy. Maybe that whole section could be replaced by a line that reads "Hold SHIFT to display unarmed attack info."

[tiger_eye]

Perhaps something like this, Sus?

tooltip_compare2.png (26.76 KiB) Viewed 4447 times

[Susramanian]

tiger_eye, yes, that's a significant improvement. Though I would like to see the comparison numbers separated from the current numbers; having them crammed together like that is always going to look like a mess, I think. It might be simpler and cleaner to either go back to two tooltips, or have wider tooltips with two columns. The right column (or tooltip) could display net change. Or perhaps the right tooltip could default to the worn item, but show net change when ctrl is held.

[tiger_eye]

Thanks for the input, Sus: constructive feedback gives constructive progress

So, how's this iteration look?

tooltip_compare3.png (13.18 KiB) Viewed 4428 times

It's kinda like the old compare system, but with direct side by side comparison of like stats and categories.

[Grey]

That's a far more awesome way of comparing.

[tiger_eye]

drquicksilver suggested the following changes: dashes for non-existent modifiers and attribute descriptions only in the middle.

tooltip_compare4.png (12.61 KiB) Viewed 4410 times

I would be happy with using this formatting or the previous formatting for tooltip comparisons in the game. The aforementioned are mock-ups done in a word processor, however, so they still need to be coded up...

[Grey]

The latest is the best. Very snazzy. Just need to get it working in the game now :)

[madmonk]

Yes that looks smart and clean!

[marvalis]

last one is obviously better
an alternative would be both tool tips next to each other (the one in your inventory and the one equipped in the appropriate equipment slot)

[Final Master]

The only thing is ... I don't know which is which when referring to sides. Is the left side the one that I am currently using? And, in actuallity ... I don't know what it's saying. For example, the base power values ... is the red number red because it is lower than the number on the left? And, is it 6 v 5 or 6 v 1 [meaning five less]?

[Hedrachi]

Solution: Add a title of "Equipped" and something like "Comparing to..." at the top of each column. Red means the comparison item is worse at something, green means better. Unless you're colourblind, then it's kinda irrelevant which colour they are. If there are colourblind players, it might be nice if there was a (better) or (worse) after the numerical comparison.

[aztec]

I like the last one, but what would satisfy me would be returning it to two separate boxes. Maybe I'm just too use to it being that way and it's clouding my judgement.

[tiger_eye]

Aesthetics is partially subjective, so it is expected for people to have different preferences, but it is still possible to have an intelligent conversation on the matter. It is not clear to me which option would be the best: (1) old way, two separate tooltips, (2) combined tooltip with descriptors in both columns, or (3) combined tooltip with descriptors only in the middle.

(1) Separate tooltips
Advantages:
a) Single tooltip and comparison tooltips are the same.
b) Easy to know exactly what each item does, since there is no intermingling of descriptors or data.

Disadvantages:
A) Uses more space on the screen.
B) More difficult to directly compare like stats and effects, because they will be disparate from each other and not visually aligned, nor will it be visually indicated which is better.


(2) Combined tooltip, descriptors in both colums
Advantages:
a) Single tooltip and comparison tooltips are very similar, and single tooltip is very sharp, because numbers and descriptors are very close together.
b) Easy to compare stats and effects, because they are visually aligned and color coded.
c) Easy to know what each item does, because descriptors are not shared. For example, it is very clear at a glance to see which item has temporal effects and which item has lightning effects.
d) Two column format with descriptors is most similar to two separate tooltips, so there's little need to learn the single tooltip format as well as the comparison tooltip format.

Disadvantages:
A) Larger tooltip than (3), because descriptors in second colums
B) Descriptors are duplicated if both items have the same effect. This may be visually unappealing to some people, but it's an important feature for (2c)--easy to see what each item does.


(3) Combined tooltip, descriptor in middle
Advantages:
a) Smallest comparison tooltip, which gives it a sharp look.
b) Easy to directly compare stats and effects, because they are visually aligned and color coded.

Disadvantages:
A) More difficult than (1) or (2) to know exactly what each item does, because descriptors are shared. For example, it is very likely for an item not to need a given descriptor.
B) Either: least similar to single tooltip, or single tooltip not as sharp as it could be (due to the descriptors being aligned in the middle, which makes the comparison tooltip look so nice)


Anyway, hopefully these images will give you an idea what I'm trying to say about the single-item tooltip style.

(2)

tooltip_compare2.png (8.05 KiB) Viewed 4345 times

(3)

tooltip_compare3.png (8.14 KiB) Viewed 4345 times

One last thought: "When used to modify unarmed attacks" could be simplified to "When attacking unarmed" or "When used for unarmed attacks" or "Unarmed attack modifiers" or what have you.

As always, others are encouraged to chime in.