How I would change the menu

[samiam]

Nexuiz is an excellent game. I think that a lot of people who just want to quickly play a game are put off by the many options visible in the main menu.

I'd like to see the main menu streamlined and made easier to use:

• It should be easy to save and load campaigns. Maybe have a "save campaign" dialog after each map in the campaign is finished. Or just have Nexuiz automatically remember the last map of the campaign that you've sucessfully finished whenever you quit Nexuiz.
• The "Join" interface is pretty straightforward as-is. It looks like Nexuiz contacts a central server to get a list of currently active maps and lists those maps, after broadcasting to find local servers. Maybe have separate lists for local and non-local Nexuiz servers.
• "Create" needs an overhaul. I would have a big "select game type" with a drop-down menu for each of the game types ("Classic Deathmatch", "Team Deathmatch", "Runes", "Domination", "Capture the Flag", etc.). Once a game type is selected (it will default to "classic deathmatch"); then the maps for that game type are displayed. The "number of bots" interface should have arrows that allows the user to change the number of bots with just mouse clicks. The bot difficulty level should be a drop-down list. The map list should be a drag-and-drop interface; if the user doesn't select the "map list" tab, then creating a server should just play one map and then return the user back to the create menu when the map is done.
• Game settings: I think the only game settings that really need to be changed are the time limit and the frag limit. This would be on the main create menu. Other settings can be changed by editing text files or by typing in commands at the console.
• Video and effects settings: I would completely remove this and replace it with a single "video quality" slider; "Low" would be "exec low.cfg"; "Medium" would be "exec medium.cfg" and so on. More fine-tuned video settings should be done with console commands.
• Player name: The player name would default to the host name of the machine running Nexuiz or a random string; either that or make the "name not selected" alert one where you can quickly and easily type in a name.
• Gui: I would have real buttons, text entry boxes, pull down menus, drag-and-drop, etc. in the interface.

Another change I would make: I would have the bots, at lower "noob" settings, run around less and, at the ultra-noob setting, be as dumb as monsters in a Doom or Quake map.

Since these suggestions are not accompanied by patches, take them or leave them as you wish. Since no one is getting paid for Nexuiz, and since making Nexuiz more newbie-friendly will increase the support strain and the number of trolls, it may or may not make sense to incorporate these kinds of changes.

[Ed]

Video and effects settings: I would completely remove this and replace it with a single "video quality" slider; "Low" would be "exec low.cfg"; "Medium" would be "exec medium.cfg" and so on. More fine-tuned video settings should be done with console commands.

I wouldn't do that. Different hardware needs different settings and it's not a linear thing.

[tChr]

It should be easy to save and load campaigns. Maybe have a "save campaign" dialog after each map in the campaign is finished. Or just have Nexuiz automatically remember the last map of the campaign that you've sucessfully finished whenever you quit Nexuiz.

This allready happens, after a map is completed, you have the option to select it when you start the campaign again.

The "Join" interface is pretty straightforward as-is. It looks like Nexuiz contacts a central server to get a list of currently active maps and lists those maps, after broadcasting to find local servers. Maybe have separate lists for local and non-local Nexuiz servers.

That is what happens, yes.. there are four nexuiz master servers spread all over the world. It also scans local netowrk (local segment) for any computers with udp 26000 open and then fetches info from them. Local servers running on different ports will not be listed. However if the local server is public (public 1) and it is reachable from the outside, it will be listed also as a network server, even if not running on 26000.

"Create" needs an overhaul. I would have a big "select game type" with a drop-down menu for each of the game types ("Classic Deathmatch", "Team Deathmatch", "Runes", "Domination", "Capture the Flag", etc.). Once a game type is selected (it will default to "classic deathmatch"); then the maps for that game type are displayed. The "number of bots" interface should have arrows that allows the user to change the number of bots with just mouse clicks. The bot difficulty level should be a drop-down list. The map list should be a drag-and-drop interface; if the user doesn't select the "map list" tab, then creating a server should just play one map and then return the user back to the create menu when the map is done.

Game settings: I think the only game settings that really need to be changed are the time limit and the frag limit. This would be on the main create menu. Other settings can be changed by editing text files or by typing in commands at the console.

Disagree.. There is lots of different game modes and other stuff.. Only the "important" stuff is in the menu.. Take a look at the server cfg examples to see (a few) more options, but not even all there However if the previsous post is implementer, i dont diagree very much

Video and effects settings: I would completely remove this and replace it with a single "video quality" slider; "Low" would be "exec low.cfg"; "Medium" would be "exec medium.cfg" and so on. More fine-tuned video settings should be done with console commands.

I dont agree to remove the current, however, implemeting somethign like this and in addition an "advanced settings" button could and would be smart.

Player name: The player name would default to the host name of the machine running Nexuiz or a random string; either that or make the "name not selected" alert one where you can quickly and easily type in a name.

that would be smart.. both the first and last option.. especcialy the last one..

[Zico]

[*]Video and effects settings: I would completely remove this and replace it with a single "video quality" slider; "Low" would be "exec low.cfg"; "Medium" would be "exec medium.cfg" and so on. More fine-tuned video settings should be done with console commands.

I disagree with that. Usually I use high.cfg. Plays pretty nice in online matches. But I also like to play with bots and they still need a small bit of performance so I turn off Deluxemapping to get the last kick to get out 20 FPS more on my system. The menu allows me to do that even within a running match. I guess with your suggestion I would need to leave the game and edit the INI.
No Thanks.

Also I think there are several users with systems that can do more than a specified setting in one cfg file but not good enough for the next higher one. So you currently have the possibility to turn on/off every little thing. Probaby some ppl also prefer special effects eating much power. In that case they can disable effects they do not care about. That is just great. Very scalable and fitting to everyone's taste

[obi_wan]

Well, even if imho the menu ergonomy is bad for users that really need to be guided, i think you want to make it too simple.
But a reorganisation and unification of the menu navigation system (users are generally looking for back buttons in the menu for example) could be really great .
But really, i agree that his menu can diserve Nexuiz for certain users.

[Toddd]

The bot difficulty level should be a drop-down list. The map list should be a drag-and-drop interface;

The current system is very good. Having the maps also displayed as a drop-down list could be an improvement. Or handle it like quake 3 (with a map gallery).

[*]Game settings: I think the only game settings that really need to be changed are the time limit and the frag limit. This would be on the main create menu. Other settings can be changed by editing text files or by typing in commands at the console.

NO NO NO, please, NO!
Having everything in the console will just make more people come to the forum and ask questions like "how can I change xxx?"
The current system with a lot of options available in the menu is a lot more clear than having to remember 100 console options.

[*]Video and effects settings: I would completely remove this and replace it with a single "video quality" slider; "Low" would be "exec low.cfg"; "Medium" would be "exec medium.cfg" and so on. More fine-tuned video settings should be done with console commands.

NO NO NO, please, NO! HELP!!!

Another change I would make: I would have the bots, at lower "noob" settings, run around less and, at the ultra-noob setting, be as dumb as monsters in a Doom or Quake map.

Bots should at least try to act like real players, and players run around a lot. That's why I liked the Quake3 bots a lot more than the UT bots - the Q3 bots ran around a lot while the UT bots kept standing even under heavy fire. It just did not feel realistic when playing against the UT bots...

[Kaz]

I started a big assed thread in the previous nexuiz forums that never went any further than some concepts morphed, myself, and a few others made. I attempted to edit the menu files at one point, but found it to be a really daunting task to get anything significant done. Unless someone with alot of time is willing to tackle it, I doubt it's going to change very much.

[obi_wan]

I attempted to edit the menu files at one point, but found it to be a really daunting task to get anything significant done...

I did too, but really except setting some margins and modifying graphics, i couldn't do a lot.
Really i wish there are some big improvements for the menu, and if developpers want (and plan to modify the menu) i'm ready to prepare a professional solid ergonomy project...