Assembly Hall

Nine years have past since Eve Online first originated, and (just my opinion here) the Overview is becoming a bit archaic - don't kill me yet, let me explain.

The Overview is useful. In fact, it's the single most useful interface in Eve Online. However, all of that information all pooled into one readout is just added to the dreaded screen clutter. Neocom on the left, controls on the bottom, information on the top-left and overview on the right; pretty soon all of the graphics updates we're getting aren't going to be visible. Thereby, here's a compiled list of ideas and suggestions, both old and new.

Before we go on I would like to make it very clear that all of these things should be -OPTIONAL-, and not forced (like that pesky unified inventory debacle).

1.) Holographic Overlay GUI - We see it in the trailers, we heard that we might be getting it at fanfest (like so many other things in the past). So what is it that we honestly -NEED- to see on the overlay that will be functional, clear up the current UI clutter, -and- look nice?

1.a Things you normally see on the overview like Ship Name, Pilot Name, Ship Class, Alliance, etc. Now, obviously, we don't want to take any of these things away from the overview; but it should be optimized so that this information can be received on the fly just by clicking on them in said Overview without having to sort through a bunch of tabs. A handy, bright and shiny display box that points toward the ship you've selected that displays all of this information to streamline things.

1.b Some other information, and this is purely up for debate as some may view it over-powered, are more helpful things like showing armaments, Shield/Armor/Hull percentages, and transversal velocity. We don't want to show the armaments right down to the meta-level, but with unique turret/missile renders we can identify these things by memory; so simply showing "Heavy Neutron Blaster" (note that it does not show tech/meta level) it makes it a bit easier to get an idea of what they're fielding on the fly. Transversal velocity is already available in the overview, but it couldn't hurt to show it here either.

1.c Further information -beyond- the scope of what is provided. Things like color-coding the display itself based on standings. You select a target, it shows the readout of all the information listed above, and it's got a nifty little orange tint to it to tell you "hey mate, these ain't your friends here".

1.d Information that could be consider -too much-, but could be implemented if restricted. Things like showing the ammunition type on the gun (not meta level/tech level). Some of you avid Amarr pilots can readily identify what type of ammo they're using by the colorful flash of light. I personally don't think we should implement this, but figured I'd provide it as an option for those interested.

2.) A more comprehensible combat log. This was suggested in the past and is commonly brought up, but I felt that it could be mentioned here as well.

2.a Giving damage notifications locations. Showing a damage counter over the top of the turret/missile module at the bottom of the screen so it's not dead in the center, mixed in with -all the other damage notifications-. Here's a screen shot from a previous thread that suggested this: http://i18.tinypic.com/4360qie.jpg

2.b We could use the example above and apply it to the drone-readout beneath the overview (or wherever you put it) to extend to the left, or right, of the drones themselves; showing how much damage each one is individually doing.

2.c Damage notifications from enemies. These should be capable of moving around instead of popping up in the center of the screen by default.

3.) A few other things that could be up for debate. Feel free to discuss in depth.

3.a One thing that was mentioned in the past is an "AFK" symbol that would show on your portrait. Now, this -COULD- be shown universally in all the chat boxes, but I'd imagine some of you AFK Cloakers would disagree; so I'll propose that we could add this in specifically for the fleet window so that FC's can just boot you when you've got the symbol and they're about to roll out.

3.b The Unified Inventory. We should be able to open a window that is pinned to the side of the inventory readout. This would make moving things about a bit easier, and still maintain what it is in and of itself - a unified inventory. It's not a separate window, just something that is linked to the main one and highlights the particular ship/container that is being opened.

3.c Autolink mini-windows. This was also mentioned previously in a separate thread. Hovering over the auto-link in the chat box to show a brief idea of what it is. Here's some screens from the previous thread: http://go-dl1.eve-files.com/media/corp/BrotherBenthor/eve_pilot_tooltip%5B1%5D.jpg

3.d Asteroid Scanner Redux. This is more a module change/suggestion than a UI improvement, but it could tie in with the Holographic Overlay GUI mentioned earlier. Instead of showing a readout of one particular asteroid, show the mineral yields of all the asteroids within, say, a 5km radius!

That's it. Sorry for the long read. Hope this catches some attention ^_^