Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: Technocrat on Tue 01/09/2009 21:00:16

Title: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Technocrat on Tue 01/09/2009 21:00:16
I'm trying to work with creating a GUI for a turn-based strategy section, and have been attempting to have a balance between detail and ease of use. It'd be hard (and dull) to have nothing but words in the buttons, so I attempt to use images to convey what each does - and wonder how illustrative it is.

On the buttons, I've opted for a spanner for "construction" and an atom for "research", but would like advice on how it could be clearer. When either are clicked on, they open the sub-menu appropriate (the big green one, not normally visible).

The Power/Money/Population sections are just labels, and next to that, I've gone for a clock motif for the "next turn" one. Unfortunately, the resolution's quite restrictive for detailed things without a lot of practice/trial and error.


(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o33/Nedraed/StratGUI.png)

Any and all suggestions welcome!
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Matti on Tue 01/09/2009 21:16:41
When it comes to research and construction I'd use symbols like these:

(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/recon.png)

x4
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/recon.png)

But they wouldn't fit your other buttons, who have more width and less height.

Edit: Other than that I think they're okay. I would make the font larger, that "asteroid" isn't easy on the eyes..
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Technocrat on Wed 02/09/2009 19:02:34
Hey Matti! I suppose you're qualified for this area, since you've got T.E.S.L.A. on the go as well.

I've made a few tweaks, opted to make larger buttons for the construction and research to better fit more descriptive icons, and gone for a clearer font (since I discovered the font making program this morning!)

(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o33/Nedraed/TOPBARDEMOAGAIN.png)
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Matti on Wed 02/09/2009 20:55:37
I really like the changes you've made, and your research symbol looks even better than my light bulb  ;).

Well, everything's clear and easy to read, so I don't have anything to criticize or suggest.. well, maybe the "focus on room" symbol could be more obvious. A magnifying glass would be a better symbol.
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Khris on Thu 03/09/2009 17:16:13
Here's my take on it. This was fun :)

(http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5079/expltec.png)

I reorganized the layout and separated the energy/money/people display from the buttons. It's supposed to go into the upper right corner of the screen while the GUI is at the bottom.
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: NsMn on Thu 03/09/2009 20:31:20
KhrisMUC, maybe you should replace the Euro-Sign with a Dollar-Sign  ;)

Looks great, in my opinion.
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Stee on Thu 03/09/2009 22:00:58
Quote from: NsMn on Thu 03/09/2009 20:31:20
KhrisMUC, maybe you should replace the Euro-Sign with a Dollar-Sign  ;)

Looks great, in my opinion.

Maybe you should replace it with a £ sign  ;)
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Wonkyth on Fri 04/09/2009 10:25:34
Or how about a nice generic coin... ;D
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Technocrat on Sat 05/09/2009 21:54:07
Quote from: KhrisMUC on Thu 03/09/2009 17:16:13
Here's my take on it. This was fun :)

(http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5079/expltec.png)

I reorganized the layout and separated the energy/money/people display from the buttons. It's supposed to go into the upper right corner of the screen while the GUI is at the bottom.


I *like* that, that's a nice take on it...maybe I'll split it and move the resources thing to the top and the bar to the bottom. I may do something to the buttons, too.


@ NsMn

The Euro sign is an integral part of the game - it's the currency the whole world is using in the year 2300!
Title: Re: GUI for turn-based environment...
Post by: Wonkyth on Sun 06/09/2009 14:01:09
Quote from: Technocrat on Sat 05/09/2009 21:54:07
The Euro sign is..... the currency the whole world is using in the year 2300!

*Shudders*