More UI: Menu, Console, and Command Buttons
Greetings, fellow Xyzzyans!
As we journey through the creation of Xyzzya, I wanted to share our latest leap in the game's UI development. It's been a fascinating adventure, delving deep into the heart of our game's interface, and today's work has truly enchanted the way players will interact with the world of Xyzzya.
Sidebar Menu
I am thrilled to introduce a sleek new sidebar, a feature that significantly enhances navigation and accessibility in Xyzzya. This modern, intuitive sidebar is adorned with RPG Awesome icons, each representing and leading to different essential sections of the game. Players can now seamlessly toggle between their Character Profile, Skills & Spells, Inventory & Equipment, Quest Log, and Settings, all from this elegantly designed sidebar. As a bonus, the status/progress bars at the top now “stick” to the top of the screen, even if the player scrolls down, which is a necessary part of the mobile experience.
Screenshot: “Sticky” Sidebar and Status/Progress Bars
Command Buttons
Our focus today was to breathe life into our command buttons, which serve as mystical keys for players to unlock and explore the wonders of Xyzzya. These buttons, now gleaming with purpose on our UI, are not just mere static elements but the conduits for your commands to travel through the veins of the game. When pressed, they echo your intentions into the console, manifesting your will within the realm. Each button press sends a ripple through the fabric of Xyzzya, submitting your command as if spoken by your character's own voice.
The Console
The console, a trusty scroll of sorts, now collects and displays the history of your commands and the game's responses. With each button press, you'll see the command emerge in the console, followed by the narrative outcome of your choice. But you can also type your own custom messages directly into the console. Literally any command you can imagine can be sent to the game, and you may be surprised with how the game handles whatever you throw at it!
Screenshot: Working Command Buttons and Console
Conversations
And now for some tweaks I've made to the conversation screen in Xyzzya. It's a step forward, but I'm still working out the kinks to get it just right. Now, when you send messages in the game, they pop up in blue, making it easier to see your part in the chat. The responses from the game are in a light brown, which gives it a bit of an old-school, parchment feel. The conversation command buttons work now too!
Screenshot: Improved Conversation UI
Quest Log Improvements
In my latest UI revamp for the Quest Log screen, I focused on enhancing both its functionality and visual appeal. I've added details such as quest level, experience rewards, and specific item and gold rewards to each quest. This makes the quests more engaging and helps you assess their value more effectively. Additionally, I've improved the styling to ensure a seamless and attractive interface at all widths. It's still a work in progress, but I'm excited to share these advancements with you.
Screenshot: Improved Quest Log UI
Behind the Scenes
The magic doesn't stop with what meets the eye. Today's sorcery also included scripting the button interactions, ensuring the console stays scrolled to the latest tale, replaying previous commands with the press of the up arrow key, and making the console contents data-driven.
The Journey Continues
As Xyzzya's development continues to unfold, we remain committed to transparency and sharing our progress. Your input has been the guiding star, and we eagerly look forward to more of your insights. Stay tuned for our next update, where we'll continue to build and improve the UI.
Until next time!
—Timothy Kanski
Grand Architect of Virtual Shenanigans in Xyzzya 🌿✨
