I'm a little worried about the interface, yes, because Oblivion's interface was rather consolized, by which I mean to say it was designed with console players in mind. The thing here is that TVs often have lower resolution than computer monitors, added to that, you'll usually sit farther away from your TV than you would from your computer monitor. So the oversized interface of Oblivion may have been needed in the console versions, but, having played the ame on the PC, I felt like something different would have worked much better for me, and considering that now, I always play with interface mods, I think I was right. And yet, despite Oblivion being criticized for this, Bethesda made no effort to improve it in Fallout 3, and while the only screenshot we've seen of Skyrim's interface is that one displaying the skill list, it doesn't really make me optimistic. Certainly, it LOOKS nice, but I'd gladly sacrifice the pretty stars for a list that makes all the information I need as easily accessable as possible. Now, I do like the sound of the 3D item view in the inventory, because I can see what an item that can't be equipped looks like without having to drop it, which wasn't possible for quest items, in Oblivion there were some items which presmably had a unique model, but I never got to see it because they were quite items and were given to me by someone or found in a container, rather than being placed where they're visible in the world. But it may be that it will take up space which could have been used to display additional information on items, though that depends on how it's handled. It could, for example, be made available through an option to examine an item, as well as drop it or equip it. This way, it doesn't take up additional space under normal circumstances, and players can potentially have more control over rotating or viewing the 3D view. Bethesda could also put a short description under the item's 3D view if this is done, which I've wanted in the series anyway, the description could tell us things like what the item is, where it comes from, how it's made and such, maybe then we could finally find out what kind of elves made elven armor or what it's made out of. But that aside, I do like the idea of making the HUD only visible when its needed. I don't share in the obssession with having no healthbars in games, yes, they're unrealistic, but I don't mind that, it's the kind of unrealistic feature that I like having because it makes my life easier when I'm playing the game. And the obssession with removing them kind of annoys me because the usual alternative way to indicate how much health you have is by adding blood to your screen, which not only doesn't give as clear a picture of how much health you have left as a health bar, but also makes it harder to see when you're wounded, which is often a time when you would not want to have a hard time seeing because you want to avoid further damage if possible. But as much as I like health bars, I really don't need them when my health is full and there's no threats to my health present, so not showing them when I don't need them sounds like a good idea. In this respect, even if the HUD is as oversized as in Oblivion, I think I'll like it better because it's only there to be intrusive when I'm fighting, during which I might not mind an unnecessarily big HUD that much because I'd want to be able to see how much health I have without needing to take my eyes off the enemy anyway. And in any case, that's just the HUD, even if I have no complaints with it, that doesn't mean I'll like how the interface is handled.

Of course, since the screenshots we've seen so far are all screenshots of the Xbox 360 version, I guess it's not impossible that the PC version will have an interface designed for PCs. But considering that people complained about the lack of it in Oblivion and still things didn't get better in Fallout 3, and Bethesda hasn't said they're doing anything differently in Skyrim, I don't really find it that likely that things will be better.

The Skyrim UI does not sound like a good console UI, just so we're clear here. This is not a console versus PC issue.

OK PEOPLE HAVE YOU ALREADY PLAYED THE SKYRIM INTERFACE? HOW CAN YOU KNOW IT svckS?! JUST BECAUSE IS DIFERENT FROM OBLIVION?

THOSE PEOPLE WHO HATES THE CHANGES JUS GO BACK TO OBLIVION

WE JUST HAVE A DESCRIPTION AND A SCREENSHOT! THE DESCRIPTION SOUND GOOD FOR ME, THE SYSTEM IS BASED IN USABILITY!

wikipedia: ISO defines usability as "The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use." Usability is a qualitative attribute that assesses how easy user interfaces are to use.

AND THE SCREENSHOT DIDNT LOOK COMPLEX OR ANYTHING BAD

I admit, the Skyrim UI may surprise me and turn out to be the awesomest thing ever. But, based on what we know, it sounds inferior to the Oblivion UI, making you do more work to accomplish the same tasks.

I'm not really worried about the differences in display. I am worried about how the menus will be controlled. There were some tasks in Oblivion which were easier on the Xbox 360 becuase it was driven by the thumbstick (or d-pad I think) and buttons. On the PC the came visual interface was driven with a mouse. It only really worked better for the map page. I've mentioned before the trouble picking up books. On the console you open the book and then hit the button assigned to the take command. On the PC it is clumsy to do more than one or two becuase after opening the book you have move the pointer from the center of the screen where it always starts when it appears down to the take button on the screen every single time.

Whatever interface is used for a given platform needs to be designed with that platforms controls in mind. They are different between PC (mouse and keyboard usualy) and the consloles (a controller of some sort). If the differerencs are not taken into account, one or the other will be at the very least dissapointing and complained about if not a complete disaster.

I'm deeply worried about the new UI and i've voiced my concerns many times. However, the whole "Apple UI" never really caught my attention.

One thing about Apple UI, is its fully interactive through motion and touch. If Bethesda can justify putting minimalist menus in, at least make them kinect compatible.

Oblivion's item system wasn't bad, Fallout 3's was much worse but Morrowind's scalable window sizes made it prime for PC.

I know Bethesda moved one of their marketing artists to work on UI, and shes done Fallout 3 so far. Im curious to know if shes working on Skyrim.

I'm jus gonna put this out there: Judge how much info we get on each of these UIs

TES 3: http://www.google.dk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tomshw.it/guides/gaming/game/20060408/images/Morrowindmenu.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tomshw.it/game.php%3Fguide%3D20060408%26page%3Doblivion-06&usg=__bMKBbtpUbJFt_qS4-EeQ3r-bXAg=&h=768&w=1024&sz=240&hl=da&start=75&zoom=1&tbnid=w0MLCIIV02-YMM:&tbnh=146&tbnw=195&ei=7tZWTY-HOMjqOce9wKsF&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmorrowind%2Bmenu%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dda%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1C1AVSX_enDK404DK404%26biw%3D1680%26bih%3D949%26tbs%3Disch:1,isz:l0,1100&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=183&oei=5dZWTdWRBsPtOYe6sO0E&page=3&ndsp=37&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:75&tx=91&ty=23&biw=1680&bih=949

Tes 4: http://www.google.dk/imgres?imgurl=http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a307/Collllin/Oblivion/Menu.jpg&imgrefurl=http://segastream.informe.com/forum/oblivion-elder-scrolls-iv-for-xbox360-ps3-and-pc-dt195.html&usg=__DwVGTnQ4loCofbRPMI4frkZdcmM=&h=720&w=1280&sz=112&hl=da&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=HOF4c7kIe4SnHM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=196&ei=DddWTZrAI8_oOd7v7esE&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doblivion%2Bmenu%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dda%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1C1AVSX_enDK404DK404%26biw%3D1680%26bih%3D949%26tbs%3Disch:1,isz:l&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=514&vpy=129&dur=556&hovh=168&hovw=300&tx=179&ty=70&oei=DddWTZrAI8_oOd7v7esE&page=1&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0

Tes 5 : http://www.google.dk/imgres?imgurl=http://nonsensegamer.com/wp-content/uploads/192997-header.jpg&imgrefurl=http://nonsensegamer.com/skyrims-menu-system-detailed/&usg=__ABmsKknuiR8jyrGNYUkGpy5uUjo=&h=350&w=620&sz=49&hl=da&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=nYn6MCGtUroVrM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=211&ei=HtdWTcXHIMGCOszHyPgE&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dskyrim%2Bmenu%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dda%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1AVSX_enDK404DK404%26biw%3D1680%26bih%3D949%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=255&oei=HtdWTcXHIMGCOszHyPgE&page=1&ndsp=36&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0&tx=63&ty=33


Now to me it seems clear that TES 3 had a much more information rich UI where as the 4 and 5 display about the same amount, it appears as if we are forced to scroll back and forth in TES 5, possibly making it even worse

*sigh* So I guess I'm the only one who thought the interface looked nice?
I mean, don't get me wrong, I like lists, but every once in a while it's nice for devs to try something different.
If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Until I've played the game or received much more info on the UI, I can't make an educated verdict and neither can any of you.
/end

more work??! how ??

i see much less work

Does the interface look nice?
If you like Apple, then sure. I for one can't stand Apple or their UI's, so I think it looks a bit too flashy.

Does it look like it will be easy to use considering practicality?
Not in the slightest. If anything, it appears to be more cumbersome than Oblivion's UI. And I really didn't think that was possible.

Am I worried?
You better believe it.



I think Bethesda got the wrong message when we said we wanted a better UI. Instead of more functionality, they thought we meant better looking.

All in all, I really hope the PC's UI gets tweaked on a lot more and is different from what we've seen and heard so far. Otherwise, I'll be waiting for DarN to save us again if he's able to.

i for one am 100% completely NOT worried about the UI. everything in terms of skills, inventory, maps, and spells will be just as if not more accessible than in oblivion and morrowind. i don't see what you're complaining about.

No they never said taht was "better looking" in fact todd said this:

In a game as large as the open world RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, comprehensive menus are a necessary evil. Though they may not be pretty, players need a way to easily manage items, review skills, and map out directions to their next dungeon crawls.

This whole thing baffles me really. They said they were inspired by Apple's interfaces and how intuitive they are. My understanding is the new interface is in place to help keep you immersed in the game world, so rather than dragging you out of the game into a list interface your character looks up to sky of the world he is in and can see his stats written in the stars! I think people are over worrying about something they are yet to see in action.

The UI looks too sci-fi...

Yes, point taken. However, the part of your previous post I was referring to was this one (I tried to emphasize it and turned it bold/italics): "it was to complex, we need A LOT of time to undersatand it".

I mean, Oblivion's UI may not be the most efficient one, as you pointed out above, but it's certainly a simple one. Four tabs Stats/Items/Magic/Quests further divided into another self-explanatory layer of tabs - it doesn't get much simpler. Hence you putting "we" into "we need A LOT of time to understand it" made me... wonder

Anyway, let's hope Beth puts A LOT of their time into Skyrim's story, atmosphere and characters (and dialogues) so that some of us won't need to wonder where did the Elder Scrolls' wonder fade away between console ports and UI tweaks (and possibly a handful of last year's word of the year: streamlining).

So, no, I'm not worried about the UI, IMHO.

box/grid ui > oblivion's lame list

How many console games require a 720p (or better) TV display? Unless they're going to make that a requirement, the UI does have to work on a TV from the '80s.

Until we see more screenshots or even a gameplay video showing how it works, im not bothered by it, I happily used Oblivions interface and morrowinds, I don't get angry over the cumbersome issue or anything of the sort and I love the new look, all down to personal preference as well as that was the console version you have yet to know how the PC version is. And it will be different due to todd in an interview said that they are catering for their PC fanbase so don't loose hope just yet.

most console games run at only 600-720p, which results a pretty large UI for PC version that can run extremely high rez (cough oblivion)


I simply hope BSG take note from BIOWARE who actually fix their UI for PC - in both size and usability.

Three Things:

1) THEY HAVE SAID THEY ARE MODIFYING/TAKING CARE OF THE PC UI

2) THEY HAVE SAID THEY ARE MODIFYING/TAKING CARE OF THE PC UI

3) THEY HAVE SAID THEY ARE MODIFYING/TAKING CARE OF THE PC UI

We don't know anymore than that as this point, apart from it's more than they did for Oblivion. Let's wait and see.

Either way they decide to do it in Skyrim, I am still down to purchase the game!

Is new UI still based on XML?
If so we can modify UI to different ways, DarN DarNified UI and interface addons by theNiceOne and Kyoma greatly improve UI of Oblivion for me.
Thats how must look true PC game UI.

I hope go for more functionality when they release on PC -- if we worshiped at the altar of Jobs, we'd be playing the game on a Mac, wouldn't we?

Another thing that bothers me about this skill list is that you cannot easily compare the skills like you could if they were arranged vertically. Vertically, they appear as a histograph -- much easier to compare and determine which skill is falling behind, and how close you were to levelling the skill.

I'd also like to see the progress bar in a different color such as red -- it's hardly noticeable as it is -- almost like they just threw it in for style.