I agree in general, but even games concerned with optimized efficiency for multiplayer, like DotA, LoL and Starcraft 2, still use solid UIs. The implication elsewhere in the thread that P:E is hanging on to an outdated design sensibility while everyone else has moved on just isn't true.
Hmm, interesting. Your examples all differ from the original P:E interface by using varying heights. The latter interface just looks like a solid bar across the screen. Your examples also add a lot more color, which tends to blend in with the game window. I wonder if those factors have any impact on the perceived changes to the aspect ratio?
@rjshae - Your comment about colors made me think (and this may have been said already) about how cool it would be if the UI itself changed its appearance based on the current environment. That would definitely make the game feel a lot more immersive imo.
@centurionofprix - I don't argue that those games use effectively visually themed UI's, and I think it's honestly a difference in personal preference at that point. I use the "movie quality" argument again as my own preference for a boxed in game play window as opposed to modular UI frames. For instance, SC2 it has a sense that the UI is a part of the world, as opposed to BG 2 where it looks more like the UI is window through which I see the world.
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a visually dynamic UI based on the environment. Apologies if this has already been talked about, as I haven't gone through the whole thread yet.
I agree in general, but even games concerned with optimized efficiency for multiplayer, like DotA, LoL and Starcraft 2, still use solid UIs. The implication elsewhere in the thread that P:E is hanging on to an outdated design sensibility while everyone else has moved on just isn't true. Hmm, interesting. Your examples all differ from the original P:E interface by using varying heights. The latter interface just looks like a solid bar across the screen. Your examples also add a lot more color, which tends to blend in with the game window. I wonder if those factors have any impact on the perceived changes to the aspect ratio? @rjshae - Your comment about colors made me think (and this may have been said already) about how cool it would be if the UI itself changed its appearance based on the current environment. That would definitely make the game feel a lot more immersive imo. @centurionofprix - I don't argue that those games use effectively visually themed UI's, and I think it's honestly a difference in personal preference at that point. I use the "movie quality" argument again as my own preference for a boxed in game play window as opposed to modular UI frames. For instance, SC2 it has a sense that the UI is a part of the world, as opposed to BG 2 where it looks more like the UI is window through which I see the world. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a visually dynamic UI based on the environment. Apologies if this has already been talked about, as I haven't gone through the whole thread yet.
