Ideas for Soldat Menu

[Akinaro]

I know that there is few Topic about Suggestions of Look for Soldat, but I thought It would be good if more people could show their ideas of how Soldat might look like.

And maybe more and more people could show their ideas here, so if you have time and even some basic graphic skills, it would be good if you post it here too. All that graphic took me maybe 4h so its nothing hard.

New version below
12th post

Ok. Now lets focus on graphic...
I didnt Prepared Anything HD-Ultra-Candy-Full Color images, because I don't think that Soldat need too much work on menu look.

I like Colors of main windows and simplicity of his blocky Buttons, so User focus on what he really need.
Also I didn't play with overall structure of menus, so you don't find anything amazing, its more like how soldat might look like, with only small work of changing some menus, putting Settings in main window and adding few options like Avatar of user profile and build in Tount Editor.

I didn't change Start Game and Join Game, because I didn't find anything wrong with it, and beside you don't change something that work, so I focused on Home Window and Options.


Lets start with Home Menu.
I think It would be cool to add Avatar like list of user profiles, and move some text at the bottom of window.



Next. Player Menu, Here I changed most. Added some menus and put some stuff from options so its more like place where you manage your character.
I didnt create all windows so here some main changes:

• Click on Avatar to choose image, you have option to choose your Gostek Image
• In Graphic Mod, you can chose Mod, just like in mod launcher AND custom background for menus(if you don't like classic color)

And here is Build in Tount Editor. Its small window and its simple like hell(I took example from Selfkill editor)





Now Time to Options menu, Only think I did here is putting setting from Setup.exe
I know its not so easy to put it in main window, but it would be cool to have everything here, not in separate File.




And last Image, sample of one of advances button. Here is Particles Menu:





I know that making more and more samples like this doesn't help dev's but maybe if we gather more ideas it would give overall image what people like and what they would add in the future, so Dev's could have small "boost" to work on this game :]

[Zakumy]

I think your pop-up windows is very hard to implement.
But I think the Setting section at the moment should be redesign, for easier to use.
But good job at the concepts

[Akinaro]

I just realize that wrote tounts not taunts..... [Facepalm]
I need to change it xD

EDIT:
Done

[darDar]

have a look here

[Akinaro]

I know, I checked most of this topic.
But I don't see anything wrong with current ones, its simple and fast, but its just need some new placing order and some small extras, like avatars for profiles and taunts editor.
And here I just showed my version :]

[ZdzichU]

Thats nice idea 

[Adam]

I'd prefer this Soldat Menu GUI in higher resolutions:(http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=39691.0)

The User Profile was actually a really nice idea. But, the Player Menu should be an implemented version of Anna's Gostek Viewer:
(http://forums.soldat.pl/index.php?topic=465.0)


your GUI was also nice and simple, but soldat needs a GUI enhancement that doesn't feel like were still in '06

[darDar]

your GUI was also nice and simple, but soldat needs a GUI enhancement that doesn't feel like were still in '06

02 * 

[jrgp]

Now Time to Options menu, Only think I did here is putting setting from Setup.exe
I know its not so easy to put it in main window, but it would be cool to have everything here, not in separate File.

Problem here is that the main Soldat.exe uses DirectX to render, and Config.exe does not, and those options in config.exe are directx related and can determine whether soldat.exe works or not. afaik this is part of the reason why it's a separate tool.

[Shoozza]

There are some nice ideas but generally i agree that this is still too complicated and ugly.


Options could be in soldat.exe in the future.
It would be nice if start and config are merged into soldat.

[nosejj]

I love your idea! Currently the GUI is simple and as Shoozza said kind of ugly.
A mash up of your ideas with the design provided L[0ne]R & Anna's Gostek Viewer as Adam mentioned up there.

This would be a nice big change that Soldat needs. No more Config.exe.

[Akinaro]

Of course I could make some HD 3D candy look, but my point was to stick to current Style, and give example of new placement for some of options.

The User Profile was actually a really nice idea. But, the Player Menu should be an implemented version of Anna's Gostek Viewer

Thats why there would be option to select gostek image as a avatar.
And you could use any graphic as a background, if you dont like one-color background

Beside, as I said, I wanted to stick to current style and I know that its a bit old in terms of look, but what would be the point of putting HD-candy menu to still old-classic style action game?
 It would be like: wow! nice menu, and then you load server and see old ctf_ash or some weird climb map made from few polygons... that would be awkward...

But maybe I spend few h to make new one... just for fun.

[Akinaro]

OK, so here is second version:

Something between old simple menu and new one.
I kept old buttons but now they are fitted in new background and menu style.

I'm working now on third version that would be based fully on new buttons, settings etc.


But for now, here is second samples:

Start Page



Home Page



Profile Page



Join Game



Game Options



Setting Page




PS If you have problems with big images here are links:
http://postimg.org/image/nm1rupbc5/
http://postimg.org/image/l5zygut9h/
http://postimg.org/image/95eig4lut/
http://postimg.org/image/l8ju3owx1/
http://postimg.org/image/6dzu39cpx/
http://postimg.org/image/x0cas8gx1/

[Adam]

I now prefer this over loner's GUI

[Dusty]

[Akinaro]

eeee... what?
WTF is this Dusty?

[jrgp]

eeee... what?
WTF is this Dusty?

I think he's comparing your color scheme to that of windows classic high contrast #2 or whatever that's called, something intended for people who have a hard time discerning colors and need something ridiculous to use the computer.

[Dusty]

To save myself from being completely offtopic, I made a quick draft of how I've always seen the menu in the future versions in Soldat. Basically a simple structure (from pre-CS:GO/Dota2 Valve era), some neat but not too flashy background image(s) that suits the theme (this image was stolen fron deviantart from an artist whom I don't remember anymore), perhaps some background musics and that's it. Cbf to make any sub-menus but they could either use the free space at some point or then just work like in this video. I love the menu of P2.

[L[0ne]R]

Nice ideas here. Personally, I'm thinking of something along old-school designs from games like Doom & Quake, where it was just a list of buttons in the center:



Soldat is "old-school" in many ways - from visuals to the weapon choices and game mechanics and modes. Also this kind of design is gamepad- and low-resolution-friendly, which Shoozza said it should be. That was a long time ago, so I don't know if he's still sticking to that rule.

[Akinaro]

change current color of soldat window to black and you get the same result. I dont see anything wrong using black background  and framed buttons


Beside, as I said: Making HD-candy like Menu for such game as soldat(old/classic/small) is a bit idiotic.
Ok, we gonna have HD "oh-ah" Menu and then you enter game and see old ctf_ash or climb map made from few polygons... awkward.
If you think that would be good, imagine crysis menu with 3d background and then play soldat: most idiotic idea ever.


We should stick to game style, not  on "what other game have".

• Simple
• No candy colors
• static(not animated background etc)
• good for window mode

And for god sake, no menu background music... Soldat is small action game, that probably most people play in window mode(i play in 1024x600 windowed) and spend in menu less than 1min.
It dont need massive menu. Keep it simple

[Bistoufly]

change current color of soldat window to black and you get the same result. I dont see anything wrong using black background  and framed buttons


Beside, as I said: Making HD-candy like Menu for such game as soldat(old/classic/small) is a bit idiotic.
Ok, we gonna have HD "oh-ah" Menu and then you enter game and see old ctf_ash or climb map made from few polygons... awkward.
If you think that would be good, imagine crysis menu with 3d background and then play soldat: most idiotic idea ever.


We should stick to game style, not  on "what other game have".

• Simple
• No candy colors
• static(not animated background etc)
• good for window mode

And for god sake, no menu background music... Soldat is small action game, that probably most people play in window mode(i play in 1024x600 windowed) and spend in menu less than 1min.
It dont need massive menu. Keep it simple

Agreed. The new GUI not only has to be good looking and practical. But it also needs to fit the game.

[Dusty]

Indeed I agree with Akinaro, my suggestion is for the distant future where Soldat could be seen as something other than that game everyone has tried back in 200X. This of course requires a complete remake of the game but hey, dreams of today might be the reality of tomorrow.

However for now I believe there are more important things to worry about than a poor GUI. A nice GUI won't attract new players and the current one isn't the cause of the decline in Soldat's popularity.

[Akinaro]

But I'm a bit bored anyway(don't have mood for maps) so I still gonna finish last project.
However this time its gonna be based more on new graphic that I think could be easily putt to soldat, even current version.
Because for now all that images were based on current soldat menu structure. So it was 2-4h work time for it.

I know its not gonna help dev's, but hell, I have fun making it and maybe someone could use some ideas in the future...

[Shoozza]

Dustys version is a step in the right direction.
The gui should make people notice that it is soldat but a fresh new version of it.
So using the same colors / fonts as in the original gui would be good.

Also making sure it can be used with mouse and/or keyboard is a plus.

[Akinaro]

OK. I think I have First Beta of third project...
For now only Homepage, Join Game and Profile. And for now classic select menu(text only) because I need new idea for it :/

I'm not gonna discover America again, so I'm gonna stick to classic game menu(text on the left). Its quick and focus on what user actually need.


And I was thinking about backgrounds, and currently I'm working on very light animated background of blurred  map, something like half-life 2 or minecraft.
For now I use this modified soldat logo with new Text style.


But for now here is first version:
HOMEPAGE


JOIN GAME


PROFILE



PS. I'm gonna add some 3D effect for Soldat logo, so character on the left would "shoot it", so I would add some bullet holes and bullet trail
 

[Dusty]

Much better, though I'd prefer the text aligned to left instead of center. Also I think it's not necessary to have "free multiplayer action game" in the game itself.

[Akinaro]

With text centered?

And As I said its first beta. i'm gonna add some bullet holes and trails near the Soldat text so its get better look.


PS any idea of "select" graphic of menu? I should make it simple(line small border) or maybe something more candy(glow etc)
I'm trying keep it simple as possible without useless addons so nothing extreme because I thinking about animated background(really slow blurred map that move really gently) xD

[Dusty]

Sorry language barrier

[Shoozza]

I'm not a big fan of background images in menus.
There are a few problems with them:
1) They aren't resolution independent
2) They disctact from the content (if not dimmed)
3) They take space

I prefer menus which keep the colors of original soldat but make it work with keybaord and mouse.
It should show less unnecessary content.

The curernt menu item should be highlighted (in color and font)

Don't limit your ideas to what you think would possible. It's inspiring to see nice designs
Make sure the resolution works in 640x480 as well as in full HD or 3k 4k
It would be great to integrate the config exe stuff without making it look ugly.

Screenshots from existing games could help to find a nice solution.
Keep going!

[Fryer]

OK. I think I have First Beta of third project...
For now only Homepage, Join Game and Profile. And for now classic select menu(text only) because I need new idea for it :/

I'm not gonna discover America again, so I'm gonna stick to classic game menu(text on the left). Its quick and focus on what user actually need.


And I was thinking about backgrounds, and currently I'm working on very light animated background of blurred  map, something like half-life 2 or minecraft.
For now I use this modified soldat logo with new Text style.


But for now here is first version:
*stuff* 

I love everything about this. I agree with Dusty about the text alignment though. Keep the good work up!

I'm not a big fan of background images in menus.
There are a few problems with them:
1) They aren't resolution independent
2) They disctact from the content (if not dimmed)
3) They take space

1) With a large enough image to fit the highest resolution acceptable, I don't see how it would be a problem.
2) Depends on the image used really, ofc using a messy image with a lot of contrast would be bad.
3) A perfectly acceptable tradeoff for a better looking game if you ask me.

I prefer menus which keep the colors of original soldat but make it work with keybaord and mouse.

Meh, it will never be good with those colors. :/

[Akinaro]

Dont get me wrong, but in one way you want New style like current games have(and they have loots of graphic and fancy windows), and in other way you want plain colors of old soldat(so why new menu?)...



Currently there are few types of menu for games, maybe you could choose one and everybody would stick to it in future concepts:

Most common for action games.

• Simple and fast, text menu on left, well known graphic from game on the right.
• When you chose menu window show up covering graphic so you focus on window.
• You can resize and move windows.

Most common for indie games, classic like hell.

• List Menu.
• When you chose something, you get new window that cover main menu and you need to use ugly [X]/back button.

Mix of new one and old one, I used it.

• Good for window mode.
• You get simple list menu on left.
• And window on right that cover graphic.
• You can't move this windows so less work on it. and it take max space for content.

Menu for Kids full of crappy animations and ugly texts

• Big buttons everywhere With ugly font.
• Animated, everything.
• Full of annoying sounds.

Simple menu good for games with nice graphics.

• Long Menu, when you click it window pop up.
• Good for panoramic screens.
• Every menu usually have his own background.
• Game console style.

HI TECH menu style.

• Change depend on user action.
• 3D-like effect when moving menu.
• One, max two color style.
• Game console style.

And Background:
1. One colored. Like current soldat.
2. Simple graphic that is on the opposite side of menu, when you click menu, window cover it
3. Blurred Background, something like minecraft and HL2 load screen have.


I was thinking about third. With random soldat map that are blurred:







PS. about logo, I've added some bullet holes and bullet traces:

[Drax]

I like your last picture Akinaro, I wish we could have: Join server, create server, profile, options, exit on this last picture...

[Sipar]

throw grunge away
get inspired by clean flat ui and combine it with oldschool soldat look, which is kind of flat already

http://bashooka.com/inspiration/flat-web-ui-design/

enjoy

[homerofgods]

Wasteland 2 has look looking gui/menu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYtc5Y96coM

[Bistoufly]

Wasteland 2 has look looking gui/menu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYtc5Y96coM

Red Boots DLC
Only $49.95!


 

[nosejj]

I still like L[0ne]R's menu the most. He kept the simple spirit of the current design, and just made it's graphics way nicer.

[Blacksheepboy]

I'm not a fan of dark grey, or dark blue. For some reason, I don't like dark colors like that, similar to one of the versions of Photoshop's colors.

That's just me. But I did like the elements of Loner's design, though having images of blurred maps in the background was kinda spiffy, though not sure how fluent or easy that would be, especially if it worked out and you got some ugly map.

[Mittsu]

Loner's design looks good and all, but it reminds me of a webpage more than a game menu

[Petterkowski]

just viewing the old topics. this is awesome, so many cool ideas that can be implemented into current look. bumping in case someone wants to continue this work.. Someone really needs to come up with a better technical solution that fits devs expectations? there are so many things that can be done to make this game look so much better.

Also here, here, here, here and perhaps many other great projects that were stopped at some point for some reason.

[jrgp]

Also here, here, here, here and perhaps many other great projects that were stopped at some point for some reason.

Those were more ideas and playing with photoshop to make mockups than actual projects/code/work towards implementation though.

[duz]

Petterkowski:

Easy question. There's devs and players. Players are showing their ideas and devs are asking them for perfect sketches.

Players can't do everything. As I did with some ingame visuals... I'm not a product designer or photoshop expert.
I was just showing my ideas but they need a perfect mockup to start anything. Players can't do this.

Throw your ideas to Storm2D. It worth