We just unveiled our game interface and we need your input! Thread

Hi fellow IndieDB-ers

We are currently working on what we like to call a "indie dev simulation game". Basically it's a simulation game like Theme Hospital, Prison Architect, Roller Coaster Tycoon, etc. But with a touch of RPG to make the player feel a part of the game, and ultimately feel what it's like to be an indie game developer.

Interested? Go check out our About The Game page You can also hop onto our IndieDB page!

Today we publicly released a screenshot of our upcoming alpha's new interface that you can see right here:

Basically what we ask of you is some advice about the whole thing, design-wise, color-wise, etc.

Do you like it? Any idea on how to improve it?

We're totally open-minded about everything and we welcome you to share your opinions and suggestions with us!

Thanks a lot and have a nice weekend!

Edited by: tbergeron

Hey tbegeron,

First of all I would like to congratulate the team! The concept behind the game is very interesting, something I am sure loads of people, including myself will enjoy, so kudos to you. There have been a couple of attempts by various people to come up with something like this, but they have all failed. After reading your page on IndieDB, I realize that you are striving hard to come up with something different. Good luck with that!

Next, coming to your UI, based on the pic that you have posted above, I can say that the UI looks simple, neat and clean. The way everything is arranged on the screen seems to be great, though maybe the calendar could be made a bit smaller, it seems to be taking up a lot of space... maybe just the important events/dates could be displayed above, in the same bar that indicates the time. You could have a ticker that displays the events and stuff, in place of the calendar(maybe once I take a look at your public alpha release, I'll get a better idea of how things are).

That's all about the UI. Things look great right now, so keep up the good job! Good Luck!

Regards,
Celui

Wow! Thanks for such great comments!

We are definitively hard at work to make this game different because we think the current market is kinda boring a little. Don't get me wrong, I played a ton of GameDevStory on my iPhone but still it's a mobile game. I wanted to transpose what I'm currently living (dropped job, went for contracts, developing games, dark days, happy days, etc) in a game that would let anyone understand what it is to make game for a living and how hard it can be sometimes. (Still once you're over with all the beginning stuff you'll be able to get rich and very happy haha).

Thanks for the comment on the UI, I agree with you on the calendar size it's kinda big right now.

As for events, the bottom-center bar will act as a "notification center" where you'll be able to see your latest transactions, actions, random events, jobs, etc. For the top bar, I might add some more stuff into it later like "current project" and related infos.

One more time, thanks! Comments like yours are what drive us to continue, it's very appreciated!

Have a nice day

No problem! We are here to provide our help in every way possible. Being a dev myself, I understand how fun and difficult life can be. I wish you success!

celui wrote: No problem! We are here to provide our help in every way possible. Being a dev myself, I understand how fun and difficult life can be. I wish you success!

Thanks, very appreciated! I saw you came on the IRC channel, sorry I was absent. Come back one day

tbergeron wrote:

celui wrote: No problem! We are here to provide our help in every way possible. Being a dev myself, I understand how fun and difficult life can be. I wish you success!

Thanks, very appreciated! I saw you came on the IRC channel, sorry I was absent. Come back one day

Sure! In fact I've joined your Indie Game Story community.

That looks very nice! Would certainly play it.

Thanks grouchbag! Glad to see that you like it

Not bad, not the sort of game i would usually play (not enough guns etc -.- ) but yeah looking hot, love it!

I only have one thing to reflect on:
Is the calender and the log visible all the time? Considering how large they are they shouldn't be visible all the time

Thanks all! @Niteshade: You're not the first to report this, I'll make sure these are toggle-able ;-)

You're welcome,Tbergon! :D:D

Not bad, but I don't particularly like the blue bar at the top. It just gives me a sort of windows 95 feeling. Otherwise it's pretty nice, and I think it would work well for touchbased devices. I would recommend making the bottom bar completely connected or having the buttons vertical, but this is just personal preference I suppose, as I just don't like small gaps like that.

Interesting game idea, I hope to see some more from this:)