3 replies to this topic

[Aaren Kai]

I like to think there is never just one solution to a problem. Call it my UX background or whatever but I want to ask, can we define the problem, provide solutions to consider, then find the one that fits the needs of all Personas?

Issue 1: 3PV is needed to help new users learn how to control a mech

Solution One: Create a tutorial that explains what these things are!


Solution Two: Add in game graphics that help users BETTER understand the Hud

Option 1 - Beginner Direction Overlay that is toggled like hints


Option 2 - Military Style Iconography (That works!)



Issue 1: 3PV is needed to show off skins!

Solution One: Why not have a 'hero' start up sequence that starts as a camera on the ground and shows your mech entering battle. Ideas could be drop pods that fall from the sky and break open on impact, your mech takes a few strides and turns its torso, then switches to cockpit. Or your mech and teammates are shown exiting a hanger bay with the doors closing behind it.

Solution Two:
End of match you get a 'hero' pose of your mech on the field camera slowly going around the mech.

Solution Three:
Game has a five second playback recorded from 3PV for each kill that is presented as an option to the user to watch or save at the end of the match with an 'MVP' mech selected from your team to also showcase... maybe it is the entire game so you can replay it and see your performance!


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Anyways, take a moment to throw out some ideas. Maybe it is too late for 3PV but maybe we can be a community that helps provide ideas instead of just bickers and trolls people

[dario03]

The overlay and icon (like you posted) is something that I've suggested before and think it could work better than 3pv. 3pv doesn't always let you see your feet but a icon and overlay could always tell you which way you are going. I would simply add in a rotating 3d-ish arrow like they have on gps and in some car games. The arrow could sit right above the hud and point in the direction your feet are moving. If you are looking in the same direction as your feet then the arrow simply points forward (and slightly up so you can see it), if you are looking north and moving east then the arrow would point to the right.
And when you aren't torso twisted so far that you can't see where you are going there could be a colored line that gets overlayed over the ground in front of you. They could make that line similar to how some racing games have them but instead of changing color to tell you where to brake, it could change color to show you how much of a angle a hill is. Heading toward flat ground the overlay there is green, but when it gets to a 50% grade hill it turns dark red and you know you can't go straight up it. The color of the line would vary by color based on % of grade and how well your mech can climb. Both of those could be toggle options and would help out new players.

Edited by dario03, 02 August 2013 - 11:02 AM.

[Shae Starfyre]

I would love to see the following:

1.) Do not split Queues
2.) stop calling it third person view
3.) make it a piece of equipment with real in depth synergy

[Aaren Kai]

dario03, on 02 August 2013 - 11:00 AM, said:

The overlay and icon (like you posted) is something that I've suggested before and think it could work better than 3pv. 3pv doesn't always let you see your feet but a icon and overlay could always tell you which way you are going. I would simply add in a rotating 3d-ish arrow like they have on gps and in some car games. The arrow could sit right above the hud and point in the direction your feet are moving. If you are looking in the same direction as your feet then the arrow simply points forward (and slightly up so you can see it), if you are looking north and moving east then the arrow would point to the right.
And when you aren't torso twisted so far that you can't see where you are going there could be a colored line that gets overlayed over the ground in front of you. They could make that line similar to how some racing games have them but instead of changing color to tell you where to brake, it could change color to show you how much of a angle a hill is. Heading toward flat ground the overlay there is green, but when it gets to a 50% grade hill it turns dark red and you know you can't go straight up it. The color of the line would vary by color based on % of grade and how well your mech can climb. Both of those could be toggle options and would help out new players.

I like the slope guide you suggested, be helpful for new players indeed.