some usability issues
stvsteve
Join Date: 2010-11-24 Member: 75258Members
Join Date: 2010-11-24 Member: 75258Members
<div class="IPBDescription">some minor changes can improve the user experience</div>Hi there
I noticed that there are some issues in the usability of your menus and stuff like that.
1. I managed to bind the 'console' to my left mouse button (by accident). It took me about half an hour to fix that (because everytime I tried to rebind the function the console popped up). I was used to doubleclicking for a new keybinding. You could fix that by either making it possible to use this menu with the keyboard alone (direction keys and enter) or by making it impossible to bind the console to the left mousebutton or by opening a dialogue to make the user doublecheck his decision or implement every one of these fixes.
2. It should be possible to exit any menu by pressing the escape button. Gamers are used to that (afaik).
3. Every menu should be usable also with the keyboard. Some people like shortcuts.
4. Make some tutorials. For starters it does not have to be fancy with videos or tutorial levels, text with images will do. Less experienced gamers will have problems finding their way to this truly great game. The hints during the game are a great start, but there are people who like to read through everything before they start playing.
- For the final game I recommend a tutorial video or - even better - a tutorial level where you see or try every function of the in-game experience.
- Detailled tooltips of powers, upgrades, buildings etc. can help a newbee get into the game. But make it possible to disable them for the pros if they might get in the way of anything.
5. Make it possible to give anonymous feedback (by pressing f1). In my case the linking to my google mail account did not work, others might be afraid to reveal their identity. (warning! this might increase the feedback significantly. It will also add a lot of spam to the feedback, so only do this if you can handle that mass of information)
I hope this helped a little.
I noticed that there are some issues in the usability of your menus and stuff like that.
1. I managed to bind the 'console' to my left mouse button (by accident). It took me about half an hour to fix that (because everytime I tried to rebind the function the console popped up). I was used to doubleclicking for a new keybinding. You could fix that by either making it possible to use this menu with the keyboard alone (direction keys and enter) or by making it impossible to bind the console to the left mousebutton or by opening a dialogue to make the user doublecheck his decision or implement every one of these fixes.
2. It should be possible to exit any menu by pressing the escape button. Gamers are used to that (afaik).
3. Every menu should be usable also with the keyboard. Some people like shortcuts.
4. Make some tutorials. For starters it does not have to be fancy with videos or tutorial levels, text with images will do. Less experienced gamers will have problems finding their way to this truly great game. The hints during the game are a great start, but there are people who like to read through everything before they start playing.
- For the final game I recommend a tutorial video or - even better - a tutorial level where you see or try every function of the in-game experience.
- Detailled tooltips of powers, upgrades, buildings etc. can help a newbee get into the game. But make it possible to disable them for the pros if they might get in the way of anything.
5. Make it possible to give anonymous feedback (by pressing f1). In my case the linking to my google mail account did not work, others might be afraid to reveal their identity. (warning! this might increase the feedback significantly. It will also add a lot of spam to the feedback, so only do this if you can handle that mass of information)
I hope this helped a little.