I would really like to see the Crowns and Energy return to their original positions much like the old User Interface (UI). This is my main gripe with the newUI so far.

Additionally, from the image that Three Rings Released, and from testing the content in-game, I strongly feel the PLAYER health should decrease FROM right (Full health) TO left (Empty/No Health) and not decrease from left to right. Otherwise it looks really strange.

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Reviews of the new enemies are soon to come. I have yet to write a decent review. I will edit this post when the time comes.

Sorry, I want to clarify, I meant to say Player health. Not enemy health. Stealth edited my previous post.

It's one oddity I strongly felt was really strange.

guys. What do you think of the enemy healthbars(if they are there)?

Im personally a big fan of no healthbars and keeping it a mystery cuz it keeps the game more intense

Also what do you guys think of being spoonfed about enemy weaknesses? Also the shield bar

thanks in advance

Would eliminating CR / CE display on new HUD encourages third party mod that allow these information to be displayed?

This sounds like a two edged sword to me because it actually happened to one of the MMOs I played before. The gamerbase was in disagreement with the development on the the lack of vital information displayed in the default HUD, so a few people created a mod to allow these information to be displayed.

Results? More people get interested in reverse engineering the game and not all of their intention are benign.

Isn't advancement pretty much linear unless you buy CE though?

I mean, you beat the missions up to a hall of heroes, and then get stuck. I asked people what it was like to get stuck behind the hall of heroes, and that was what was keeping most of them there- that they got stuck and had to grind for crowns (to turn into CE) to get past the wall. This indicates to me that the only real measure of progression in the game is in fact linearly crowns. It's pretty much always been that way- I had to grind to get my stuff in the beginning, before I had enough to just craft stuff and have a good time messing around.

I somehow doubt that not telling people how much money they have is going to make it so that they don't focus on it.

"Also, regarding crowns not appearing on the HUD at all times, we've come to believe that displaying currencies on the HUD creates a very linear mindset regarding advancement within the game. So, currencies now show up when you need them or are viewable at all times within the arsenal, along with the rest of your possessions."

Wow, good job not listening to anybody that plays your game. You've now made everyone angry.

Why do you think people grind FSC everyday, all day? For money. You realize this game has nothing to offer but getting money and buying new gear? There are hardly ever any new bosses or REAL updates (sorry but accessories and the like don't count). So actually you are wrong, because hiding the crowns and energy does nothing to help advancement within this game.

Also, regarding crowns not appearing on the HUD at all times, we've come to believe that displaying currencies on the HUD creates a very linear mindset regarding advancement within the game.

?!?

Doesn't the game already do that? So assuming that just this one thing actually fooled people's brains into thinking in a non-linear way (which it doesn't), shouldn't you be looking to achieve that with actual gameplay instead of trying to use a UI trick? Then to outright say you're using a psychological ploy, doesn't that work against it's effectiveness?

What this is actually going to do for sure is annoy me, as I have to do an extra step every time I want to just glance at some frequently used information. Why not stuff the health bars into a menu too, that way you can add "excitement and tension" to the play experience!

-_-

Make the levels and gameplay itself more random, including the boss levels. That's something that will make me think in a less linear way.

Yea nick. You'd think the people who created the game know it better than anyone. Correct me if i'm wrong, but it seems like you guys are trying to remedy a core element of the game. The queston that raises then is, why have you built the game like that in the first place then? If ya don't want people to play like that, it'd make more sense to change the core.

I'm with Djawed about the health bars for monsters they make fighting feel a bit boring. Sometimes when I hit enemies the the bar shows empty but really still has a VERY small amount left and get annoyed.
Seeing the monsters weakness is kind of lame, I remember when I first started I always had the wiki up checking monsters weaknesses which I think in the end was better since I would end up learning more than just what to hit them with.

The UI oh my gawd... I honestly thought it was a April Fools joke! I told everyone that there is no way Three Rings would ever make something so ***** looking. The picture you guys posted on Facebook looked like some Photoshop'd nonsense that was trying to show SK if it was a traditional MMO.
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? What was the point in changing it at all? Maybe I just have nostalgia goggles on but I seriously hate it. Streamlined UIs in a MMO always brings a tear to my eyes and SK always had the BEST one I've seen from many games. It gave SK a nice clean look saying "I don't have to be fancy to get the job done, I am what I am." It was unique, organized, and beautifully colored.
What's the point in seeing my character in the top right and knowing my rank? Just put that in the character status window. Having the health bars up there to is bad as well it takes my eyes away from the action. In the middle bottom it was nice and simple to take a quick gander at everything you needed to know (besides the health of your shield) was easy to see. The shield bar is if-y I personally like it. I would always hate pressing spacebar to see if my shield was ready to go, while running away from a pack of Mecha Knights in the arenas. Maybe make it a noticeable icon that shows a fixed shield when it's ready to go, kinda dented one when it nears the end, and a broken in half one to show that I shouldn't be using it. Or take it out completely.
The new art for the vials and pills feel out of place they feel (or "look" for you other people) too real to me. I could maybe see the pills if it wasn't shaded to give it that third dimensional feel. The vials are the worse I wouldn't want to go into battle lugging around those things they look cumbersome.
The energy and mist counter need to come back. @Nick Did you guys do any kind of survey to figure out if people actually thought about it like that?
If you guys insist on not bringing it back then at least make it a real part of the inventory menu and not hanging all out like it wants to be some bad boy/girl. (I know it pokes out when you die but you guys could just show that in the box that asks if you want to revive.)
The maps compass look looks really nice I still would like to expand it more, it looks really small on bigger screens. I like seeing the enimies on the map hopefully I don't get to see enimies that hide like the Chromalisks and Ghostmane Stalkers. The chat is WAY better scrolls bars are great for when I need to look up and see if something someone said contradicts what they said earlier. *wink*
All the shading and bevel added really makes it look tacky, like it's trying to be something its not.

The new area I love it and I'm always happy to see them. The new monsters on the other hand.. are a bit boring. When Three Rings posted the first in-game pics of them a grim smile popped up on my face, but it was a grim smile of joy. "Swarming type enimies!" I thought "Oh this will be fun!" I finally see one in action slash at it once and cry to myself. I want to use my bombs on these things but it seems it would be inefficient to do so, beef them up!
The Dust Bunnies glitched up for me their whiskers were black wobbly squares.

That's about all I can think of for now hopefully the UI is all a very slow April Fools joke and we can laugh at how ugly it is later.
Hopfully all that made sense since this is the first I've ever actually gave feedback during a test I was invited too.

TL:DR
I support Djawed, Spadeax, and Glacies points.
UI is fugly.
New Area is cool.
New mobs are too weak.

I would LOVE the health bar on mobs to be toggle-able in the options setting, as well the shield bar under the health bar to be refined and perhaps smaller and smoother. Love it so far though!

"I don't have access to the testing, but removing energy/crowns from the hud is more of a marketing move, than a player mindset move. I'll stress that players not familiar with how fast or how far energy can tour them through the game, are more likely to use it up at a faster rate without a constant reminder to help them ration what they have."

/agree

I feel that's the only logical reason for it. The other stuff about non-linear experience is just a nonsensical PR statement.

I took a year or so off from playing, and I come back to see it's still pretty much a currency shell game. A couple of new mission maps, and the rest mostly player aesthetics.

Log In Screen:

Under Activities - Add option to go to Guild Hall, if member of a guild. You shouldn't have to hunt for this activity.
It would also be a nice feature to pick which part of Haven you appear in from here, rather then having to navigate extra screens or defaulting to the last place you were. Heck - it may accidentally cause some people to find this place called "Arcade". :P

Options --> Prompts

Please provide a toggle under prompts to "Turn on/off" the Event Hub on log in. You can make it default on for new players, but I don't always want my first in game option to be to turn it off, nor do I really care which one of my peeps is this week's Level King.

Display monster health toggle = good (and works in game).

In Haven - Display:

Will echo others - would like to be able to see crowns and energy without having to interface with a market to spend them.
Suggest either (a) - make this automatically come up any time you are in Haven or a clockworks level where you can use crowns or energy.
(b) make this another prompt option and let players choose. Set it to default "off" if this aligns with the "vision".
(c) replace the health / shields bar with a crown / energy bar when in towns. (Not like you need to know your health or shields here!)
(d) at the very least - your Mist energy should be visible all the time, as you should know what energy you have one running the clockworks.
Add it as another "radial" around the Knight portrait?

Knight Portrait - why is rank value there? It doesn't serve any purpose and is actually kind of unattractive.
@Nick: "displaying currencies on the HUD creates a very linear mindset regarding advancement within the game".
I think displaying the rank level does much the same and what is the point of displaying it, once your reach top rank?
Make it go away or give me us option to not look at it.

Commands / Short Cuts: Where did the toggle go for looking at the Gate Map? Probably not as relevant with I'm guessing majority of players play missions rather than clockworks, but I'm old school - and like being able to know its worth waiting a couple of minutes to get a level of choice.

Level Design:
- there should be more plants, that give you a chance to gain back hearts. They are notably missing here (i.e. plant vs. bush ratio).

- trap / level elements - good mixture of new things here, none are particularly challenging - however - could be fun if you got attacked half way through some of them.

- color palette - very "one" dimensional in some cases - almost too much saturation of one specific color. It kind of clashes with a lot of the other level designs.

New Swarms (running T2 solo):
- a lot of sword swinging is required to make progress. Hoping sprites help enough to make this less of a mouse mashing exercise.

- hope the intent of these levels is they'll appear like other random levels (gremlin grounds, candlesticks) etc as part of the regular rotation - I had to stop after 5 of these because it was just becoming boring.

Other Stuff:

- weapon toggle scroll wheel - don't love it, don't hate it. Now that you've upgraded the potions and vitas in game - the weapon icons look out of place now. :P

- potions - can only get info on them when you have the HUD unlocked. Not so much of a problem for veteran players - newer players may not know which potion is what. Compare this to telling me that rock is a "Small Moonstone" - not sure if I need to know that but you're telling me anyways.

That's it for this round.

i honestly dont see a lot of improvement on the new UI. i get a bit of hard time to get used to it. the only good think i would say its the scroll bar for the chat that people was asking for for a long time.

maye it just me but i liked the new weapon change display.

one question nick: What its the reason that you and co decided to add a big KNIGHT portrait in the HUD? cuz i really want to know the reason to have something like that (which its useless) its get worse when you get full party.

every knight with a moderate knight portrait blocking your left side vision... which isnt good. i prefer the previous party health display because was smaller and didnt blocked the left side of your screen.

I agree with the fact that i'm a little disappointed that i cant see my CE/Mist or Crowns in game unless i need them. How else will you gloat to your friends or give out charity when you don't know how much you actually have? Currency plays a big role in this game and i really hope that they bring the display back.

Also i never got to see the creature name or display that "supposedly" pops up when you damage a creature. It just never appeared for me, granted i could be ignorant of the options menu but i'm pretty sure that everything was on by default. So is it a Glitch or Bug?

>inb4 you have to pay real money to get the old UI back

Going to add to points to prove that this new UI loses spending of crowns.

Scenario 1:

A few times in SK, I have bee tired, and not thinking straight. I see I have lots of crowns and think: "Hey, I should try to get CTR VH blitz :::DDDD."

600k cr later, nothing good, but it was all started by me seeing my wopping 600k cr on screen. I didn't pay to get that money, but if I wanted more, I would be more likely to buy it in this scenario as I'm more likely to spend it.

Scenario 2:

I am still tired, and bored, so I go the AH. I never think of rolling UV's as I dont see how much money I have and so end up keeping 600k cr for something useful. I will spend even less money here.

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the new UI for you health should be incorporated with the vial icons at the bottom of the screen

1. get rid of the heat icon and use the players portrait backround as the new heat icon . would look awesome :P
2. get rid of the shield bar and have just a shield icon with a percentage amount, could change color if its maxxed or depleted

also the BOSS character's health should be at the top left i guess because having health bar for vana is pointless...
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as for currency why not make an extra tab below ACTIVITIES for just currency > CE / CR / mist ?

shouldn't a CE market icon be added to activities ?

the tab to the bottom left would be great at the bottom right which would allow for larger chat area :)

My thoughts on the new hud:
-The placement of buttons-
Lower right and left corner, not a huge fan of it as I have a rather sizeable screen and I play in almost fullscreen. Used to be much easier to open item menus etc. from the top of the screen without having to drag the mouse all around the screen. I guess I'll have to learn the hotkeys to avoid carpel tunnel :/
-The health bars on enemies-
As a gunslinger I can't see the healthbars most of the time unless I let my enemies come really close which is counter-intuitive and dumb. That should definitely be fixed - preferrably the same way you can toggle names on players (hover/distance/always)
-The knight hp/shield bar-
I like how accurately you are able to see your hitpoints now. Not really sure that the top right corner is the best place though. From what I've seen I don't really have the time to turn my attention up there in the heat of the battle whereas before the hp bar was located below the knight so it was usually in peripheral vision. The shield bar is nice but it's shape is a bit rough and it ends so suddenly in a straight line whereas most of the hud is all nice, round and polished
-The currencies-
Should be toggleable at least if you don't want to force them on anyone. I've set goals of fortune behind me but I still would like to see the amount of crowns & CE I have at any time
-The vials & pills-
The models are nice and high quality although the tier 3 health pill is gigantic and could use some downscaling. The freeze vial is pure white and I've heard poison and sleep can be easily confused. Maybe a little status symbol indicator could help to make these more readable?
-The elevator screens-
Brilliant.
-The zoom in haven-
Very nice. I can appreciate the little details much more. Some of the speech bubbles appear really low-res though when zoomed in. Not sure what can be done about it
-The names above knights-
I liked the personal color in names but I can live with this. The rank should be off by default, it's not really relevant information. And the button to toggle this should be in the interface tab of the options menu, not the chat tab

Keep up the good work guys!

Honestly, I'm not sure I like the new enemy health bars. Especially on bosses, it loses a bit of intensity.

The new, precise health bars are good, but I liked it better when your allies' health was shown in bars instead of a single linear bar, if that makes sense. Basically, how it was before. And having it at the bottom was a bit nicer too.

Also, it's now impossible to drop Vitapods, which is a little disappointing.

I don't mind the shield bar, but I could take it or leave it. The shield's color indicated its remaining strength just fine before.

Last thing, then I'll end this scatterbrained comment. I much preferred having the crowns and energy visible at all times, especially energy. Having the energy invisible without your backpack blocking a good bit of the screen makes budgeting energy usage a bit more difficult.

Guys, I doubt Nick is paying attention to this Topic since it has outdated information. I understand that the UI is horrible as I agree on all these views but this is for Testing Feedback about New Sub-Mobs/Minis and the UI.

I'd suggest moving anything about that to the Suggestion Subforum.

As for myself, I'll have a new Topic up sometime tonight about the updated Sub-Mobs.