Game's UI Suggestions

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Sorry, my comparison was meant in general, not you specific (as a OOTP user).

I think we can cap the discussion here and concentrate on gathering ideas to improve the GUI in future versions.

Originally Posted by AlpineSK

Seb, I don't want "everything like OOTP" you asked me to list 10 things that I liked from the OOTP UI that are not part of this UI, so I did. I could easily do the same for other games like Football Manager or even some of the older sports management games that are out there.

Also, I don't think you need to be a "hardcore" player or baseball fan or even American to realize how nicely OOTP plays because of its UI. I have even seen people post on this forum that they were picking up that game while waiting for this game for the first time and had a real appreciation for it even though they were not hardcore baseball fans. THAT is what you should strive for here.

I've played EHM, and I've seen the good points there.. I've played OOTP and I see the great points there.. I've played EA sports games and see their benefits. My point is, you need something better than what you have.. A LOT better.

[AlpineSK]

Then I probably won't be back to play until those future versions are released, unfortunately. Trying not to sound like a cry baby, but the game just isn't fun right now.

It's sad that it has taken just over a year to get to this point. The UI especially saw no improvements over the past year, and the game play, while there have been some improvements, is still lacking. If this is the type of things we should expect from a Version 1, I'll be staying away from the other future endeavors here. I guess I'll see you at around version 4 or 5.

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

Sorry, my comparison was meant in general, not you specific (as a OOTP user).

I think we can cap the discussion here and concentrate on gathering ideas to improve the GUI in future versions.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Whatever works best for you. Hope to see you back in a few years!

Originally Posted by AlpineSK

Then I probably won't be back to play until those future versions are released, unfortunately. Trying not to sound like a cry baby, but the game just isn't fun right now.

It's sad that it has taken just over a year to get to this point. The UI especially saw no improvements over the past year, and the game play, while there have been some improvements, is still lacking. If this is the type of things we should expect from a Version 1, I'll be staying away from the other future endeavors here. I guess I'll see you at around version 4 or 5.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Originally Posted by Puckhead

1) A side-by-side compare screen where you can compare two players (this player doesn't have to be on your team), to be able to find a good player to trade for etc. I really loved that feature of EHM 2007, there you could compare the ratings AND the size, weight etc. Pretty cool I think.

Yeah, I think that is more of a new feature then a GUI element but yes, it is a good idea. Maybe we have time to add it into the 2. part of the big patch.

Originally Posted by Puckhead

2) An easy-to-use search function (on top of the screen that it's accessible from anywhere ingame) to find players with free configurable filters like size, skill (shot, checking etc.), weight, position etc. anywhere in the world or in specific leagues or teams. I liked how they did this in EHM, too.

So basically you want a list of all player in the world that you can filter by whatever you want (e.g. age, position, nationality, attributes, ...)?

Originally Posted by Puckhead

3) It'd be great if the line-up screen could take some more space of the screen in the next version. It's good that it's possible to drag & drop now but it's sometimes a bit difficult because the position spots are very small.

We will move to a new (wide-screen) default minimum resolution, so we get more width anyway.

[AlpineSK]

Personally, I think you should do a survey. Throw a Survey Monkey together and ask the fans what they think of the game.. what they like what they dont like what they want to see improved etc.. I really think you are making a lot of assumptions about the so called "silent majority."

I understand what you mean.. People who don't like something are more vocal about it, but at the same time, people who don't like something just walk away from it and don't report their unhappiness. Here are some sample questions I think would be important:

How often do you play the game? (Daily, weekly, twice a week etc)

When was the last time you played the game? (last week, last month, last year, today etc)

What is your favorite part of the game? (In game, UI, free agency, training, scouting)

What part of the game do you feel needs the most work? (in game, UI, free agency, training, scouting)

Would you recommend FHM to a friend?

There are PLENTY more.. I think you would obtain A LOT of information from doing something like this

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

Whatever works best for you. Hope to see you back in a few years!

[Sebastian Palkowski]

I think we have that covered very well, thank you.

I guess we reached a dead end in our discussion and it makes no sense to continue it. You don't like the game, you don't think it goes into the right direction. I highly respect your opinion, we can't make everyone happy, time to move on.

If you have more ideas to improve the GUI/game I will gladly discuss it!

Originally Posted by AlpineSK

Personally, I think you should do a survey. Throw a Survey Monkey together and ask the fans what they think of the game.. what they like what they dont like what they want to see improved etc.. I really think you are making a lot of assumptions about the so called "silent majority."

I understand what you mean.. People who don't like something are more vocal about it, but at the same time, people who don't like something just walk away from it and don't report their unhappiness. Here are some sample questions I think would be important:

How often do you play the game? (Daily, weekly, twice a week etc)

When was the last time you played the game? (last week, last month, last year, today etc)

What is your favorite part of the game? (In game, UI, free agency, training, scouting)

What part of the game do you feel needs the most work? (in game, UI, free agency, training, scouting)

Would you recommend FHM to a friend?

There are PLENTY more.. I think you would obtain A LOT of information from doing something like this

[AlpineSK]

Well okay then.

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

I think we have that covered very well, thank you.

I guess we reached a dead end in our discussion and it makes no sense to continue it. You don't like the game, you don't think it goes into the right direction. I highly respect your opinion, we can't make everyone happy, time to move on.

If you have more ideas to improve the GUI/game I will gladly discuss it!

[BlackIce]

Here's a few things that's been burning my arse so far but still a great game indeed....


- I'd like to see the game save point itself in a sense that when I'm looking at UFA's and Personnel to hire, I can click on they're names and when I hit the back button I don't have to rifle throughout all the people again to where I was on the list.

- Fighting in the game... *sigh* Cory Perry vs Brain McGrattan really ? This needs to stop.. The ducks have a capable Tim Jackman or Pat Maroon who handles those duties. This is what the fighters do not agitating scorers or agitators altogether.

- Being able to hire a Coach who coaches the team and watches over the general game play, while I watch over the general duties of the team like signings, trades, demotes, promotes etc....

[pens66]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

So basically you want a list of all player in the world that you can filter by whatever you want (e.g. age, position, nationality, attributes, ...)?

You still haven't gotten that into your head that people want to have this?
That's a day one suggestion...

Edit: Sorry, if that sounds harsh. But actually, it is meant to sound harsh.

Moderator Edit: Tone it down. There is no need to continually be this abrasive - thank you

[Sebastian Palkowski]

The user made a nice suggestion, I just asked him friendly to go into a bit more detail so we can make it right, once we start on something like this (because the groundwork is already in the game, just not as detailed as he/other want it). Most user here are friendly, want to make the game better, give feedback, want to talk about the game.

Originally Posted by pens66

You still haven't gotten that into your head that people want to have this?
That's a day one suggestion...

Edit: Sorry, if that sounds harsh. But actually, it is meant to sound harsh.

[Puckhead]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

Yeah, I think that is more of a new feature then a GUI element but yes, it is a good idea. Maybe we have time to add it into the 2. part of the big patch.

Awesome, really the biggest thing I'm missing other than the overhaul of the line-up screen
As I said, I'm coming from EHM and I really love what they did with the line-up screen (with the star ratings of how the players play together etc.). The set-up on how the individual lines playing style is pretty cool, too:


Speaking about the compare screen, this is what I meant in EHM (the next screen would be a side-by-side comparision of each players ratings, I couldn't find a picture of this though):

So basically you want a list of all player in the world that you can filter by whatever you want (e.g. age, position, nationality, attributes, ...)?

Yep, it would just be great to search specifically after certain players or role players (for example a very big left winger for your fourth line) also in other leagues to take a shot at signing them.

We will move to a new (wide-screen) default minimum resolution, so we get more width anyway.

Great

Originally Posted by pens66

You still haven't gotten that into your head that people want to have this?
That's a day one suggestion...

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

The user made a nice suggestion, I just asked him friendly to go into a bit more detail so we can make it right, once we start on something like this (because the groundwork is already in the game, just not as detailed as he/other want it). Most user here are friendly, want to make the game better, give feedback, want to talk about the game.

There was no offense taken on my side

I think Sebastian has it right when he says 'You are too used to playing X game'

I spent too many hours on EHM and Football Manager 2008 - both similar looking games, then I first went to OOTP Baseball, and hated it. I hated it so much because I couldn't navigate the way my mind was trying to do automatically because 'it's a text sim too so it should be like EHM/FM08! but it wasn't so I bought it, didn't play it and was mad. Then one day I loaded it up and spent about two hours just clicking around seeing what took me here and there until I got used to some of the more popular pages, roster, trades, standings and all that and I could find them pretty quickly. OOTP still confuses me years later, especially the Assignment screen when you have an injured player and you have to pick what to do with him

My suggestion to the thread is the Personnel Screen, yes I keep mentioning it but It bugs me how its set up right now.

My other thought is, and don't hate me Sebastian! Maybe it's a German thing? having all the clicks to get to places? From playing other German made sims they all have a similar pattern

Originally Posted by Garethw87

My other thought is, and don't hate me Sebastian! Maybe it's a German thing? having all the clicks to get to places? From playing other German made sims they all have a similar pattern

Garethw, without Germans we wouldn't have the most statistically detailed baseball manager in the universe, OOTP. And just look at FIFA Manager -- they have put there everything!

[pens66]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

The user made a nice suggestion, I just asked him friendly to go into a bit more detail so we can make it right, once we start on something like this (because the groundwork is already in the game, just not as detailed as he/other want it). Most user here are friendly, want to make the game better, give feedback, want to talk about the game.

Oh, excuse me. About this search/filter function was talked multiple times in these forums within the last 12 months (e.g. by me). It was suggested various times (e.g. by me). But this is the first time anyone of the dev team bothered to reply.
I often feel like an idiot whenever you finally post here, honestly. Not communicating for weeks upon weeks was one thing. But then coming here and giving the impression you hear something the first time (which is how it came across to me, sorry if read too much into it) is just... I don't even know.

Thanks to the mod for the warning, by the way. That was my first in 15+ years in the internet.

Originally Posted by dmytron

Garethw, without Germans we wouldn't have the most statistically detailed baseball manager in the universe, OOTP. And just look at FIFA Manager -- they have put there everything!

Please don't think it was any kind of 'hate' comment! It was a bit of a joke post because as you say, Germans make great sim games they just tend have a very different approach to interfaces then the other countries

[thepete]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

No, but if you use one system a long time, then it becomes natural to you. I play OOTP since version 3, I'm a long-time FM player but never really got used to the EHM GUI (after loving the freeware version). I don't know how often I hit my head on the table in frustration about not having drag & drop on the lines screen, I'm used of it in every other game I play. Same with Right-Click menus, they seem natural for me, having all options for e.g. a player in one place.

Again, I know the FHM GUI is not perfect, especially navigation between leagues, teams and your "work screens" (e.g. lines, tactics) is much harder then it needs to be. OOTP itself is centered around one major league, FHM has 20+ playable leagues that are more or less equal, so we will change the GUI to account for it at some point.

Don't make this into an FHM vs OOTP-thing. I want to do as little clicking and dragging as possible. Having to go back and forth to select whomever I want to insert into the line-up is tedious and annoying, much more so than having a player selected and just clicking the lines/situations he'll be playing.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Originally Posted by thepete

Don't make this into an FHM vs OOTP-thing. I want to do as little clicking and dragging as possible. Having to go back and forth to select whomever I want to insert into the line-up is tedious and annoying, much more so than having a player selected and just clicking the lines/situations he'll be playing.

Where did I make it into a FHM vs. OOTP thing? The line screen works like the lineup screen in OOTP: you drag & drop player into the spots you want them to be. Thats how it ever was in OOTP and thats how I like it the best.

[Puckhead]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

Where did I make it into a FHM vs. OOTP thing? The line screen works like the lineup screen in OOTP: you drag & drop player into the spots you want them to be. Thats how it ever was in OOTP and thats how I like it the best.

Agree, the drag & drop function is great and when the resolution will be a bit lower, it'll work. But a polished screen would work wonders because this is really the screen where (as someone else here in this thread posted) the most users are spending the majority of their time.

[Sebastian Palkowski]

Originally Posted by Puckhead

Agree, the drag & drop function is great and when the resolution will be a bit lower, it'll work. But a polished screen would work wonders because this is really the screen where (as someone else here in this thread posted) the most users are spending the majority of their time.

Thats a good point.

[Puckhead]

Originally Posted by Sebastian Palkowski

Thats a good point.

Was that sarcasm or not?