I suggest the default HUD should be replaced with a more minimal, and more practical one. In my opinion, the current HUD looks rather messy even if it fits the menu theme nicely. Also I think there is room to improve the usability of it for beginners; ie making the timer and health and ammo more prominent.
I've not come up with an appriate HUD myself, but take these ones as examples of what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv5MS0DHF2M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtbdDrAdVtM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leMVrAM8F3Y (I like this one especially, kind like what I use. Though of course adding weapon list etc.)
Of course these are VoD configs, but I hope you get an idea of what I mean by minimal.
It is a bit late for features to make it into 0.8, but the game already includes a "minimal" HUD config, accessible with the following command:
exec hud_luminos_minimal.cfg
The current HUD isn't terrible, but the ideal behind it is that you customize it to your liking in the editor, as it shows by default the most important information while also appearing "pretty".
I agree. Hence I'm working on a new HUD theme called Luma.
It won't be included in 0.8, but you can check it out with the sev/luma branch in Git.
It will be an alternative to the current theme, with the goal to remove clutter and highlight relevant information.
http://i.imgur.com/7t3O2CB.png
Nice new gfx's! Though I think it would be better to have bigger timer and health elements. Then moving the weapon list to the ammo spot and moving ammo to left or right. Having the elements as close to the crosshair makes it easier to see your current status without actually "watching" the bars and numbers.
(01-02-2015, 02:44 AM)sev Wrote: [ -> ]I agree. Hence I'm working on a new HUD theme called Luma.
It won't be included in 0.8, but you can check it out with the sev/luma branch in Git.
It will be an alternative to the current theme, with the goal to remove clutter and highlight relevant information.
http://i.imgur.com/K81kztM.png
Very nice work! I checked out the branch and will start to use it now :o)
I think a lot of people think "but you can change it". Well, yes you can, but beginners don't, and they need any assistence they can get (that includes sane default keybinds too, perhaps a bit lowered music and athmospheric sounds). I know and have gotten a lot of newbies trying out Xonotic, and configuring it is really low on the list when they start it up, which is probably OK if they go intro single player but that's rarely the case.
The HUD is also something that will come up in un-edited videos and in screenshots, so its something a lot of people who thinking of downloading it will see, so if it's stylish and gives a nice presentation it won't really hurt the game.
As Mario said, it is too late to change this for 0.8. We'll look into it for the next point release (which will NOT be another year).