Phoenix client launcher app.

[Vidiot_X]

Hi,

 

Working on a client launch app that will function similar to Continuum's. I had to write my own button code as this is needed anyway for the Phoenix client window system and better cross platform compatibility. Here is an image of my progress.

 

I'll be placing a zone server list on the right side and spinning images of the ships where the two arrow buttons are. More to come.

 

- Rich -

 

http://www.phoenix.subspace.co/client_launch_app.png

[spidernl]

To be completely honest, it looks a little.. retro. Particularly the flaming logo, though.

 

Not that retro is bad, but I believe you'd stand a better chance to get healthy population by attracting a 'younger public', which will likely be put off by a look like this.

[»ZiGNoTZaG]

Just make it skin-able and all will be well.

[Vidiot_X]

Just make it skin-able and all will be well

I believe I will. I can make the buttons skinable as I already use an image for the buttons, I just overlay text on them. The background can be changed as well as the logo (I've been meaning to update logo). I suppose I could include a layout file that can be changed to rearrange the position and size of the buttons, ship view and zone list. This should be enough to customize it.

 

It's a little slow going as I'm having to write all of the interface code (buttons, windows and more) to be cross platform compatible, but it's worth it.

 

- Rich -

[»ZiGNoTZaG]

When its closer to maybe beta you could have a skin competition or something to be voted on by the players. The top few get included in the working release.

 

I made a skin or two for Cont UI and you define the areas of the screen that are buttons(where a specific mouse event will occur)

 

Its been awhile since I have looked at so my memory about it is not the clearest. But basically you define "hotspots" such as pixel position 300,300 to 320, 320 is the next ship button or whatever. Then you have different images for inactive/mouseover/active button events. More or less.

 

Its all configurable.

 

Do you need all that, not at first I would say, but something to consider down the road.

[Vidiot_X]

Hi,

 

I will probably use a text file that can be edited to adjust layout, similar as you describe above. But for now I'm just going to get it working.

 

Here is a little video that shows the button action. I'm feeling out the layout, but I'm thinking the right side will hold all the interface gadgets making it easy to use. For example clicking on Zone Servers will bring up the zone server list and supporting controls.

 

BTW the ship names are just in place to test.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PIMSuwFR3Y

[Lone Outlaw]

Saturn is retro also. They used to put saturn in all the sci fi comics and magazines in the 20's - 50's to signify science and space etc.

 

Most continuum skins you can actually change everything, button location, size, and even the size of the launcher. If you make it the same then it should be okay. Eventually later on someone will design something nice, or you can grab elements from a few designs, and make a more official launcher. (of course give them credit)

Edited December 20, 2012 by Lone Outlaw

[Vidiot_X]

Hi,

 

I must like retro.

 

I've added a 'listbox' style button list for servers. Working well. Lots more to add and tweak but coming together.

 

- Rich -

 

 

http://www.phoenix.subspace.co/client_launch_app_2.png

[Vidiot_X]

Hi,

 

One other consideration in designing this launch application is touchscreen devices. I have them firmly in my mind when designing the layout. The buttons for example are large enough and react similar to a touchscreen setup. Since I am custom writing all the code for Phoenix's internal windows, buttons and interface devices, flexibility is ensured and cross platform compatibility is greatly increased. This allows me to support many types of display and input devices (touchscreen or XBOX controller). So, the upshot here is that skinning the application will have to address the limitations and differences in touchscreen and other input devices, unless skins are broken into platforms which I dislike.

 

- Rich -

[Lone Outlaw]

Whats the percent of gaming done on phones or other touch screen devices? 1%? Not even. i don't know why everyone is designing things for mobile platforms. A laptop sucks, so would an iPad, so would a phone. Unless your game is designed like the games for the DS it won't fly anywhere except on PC or a gaming system.

 

But anyway it looks nice, add player count and lag/ping to server. Like the ship and it's name also.

Edited December 22, 2012 by Lone Outlaw

[Vidiot_X]

Looking better.

 

http://www.phoenix.subspace.co/client_launch_app_3.png

[spidernl]

Whats the percent of gaming done on phones or other touch screen devices? 1%? Not even.

 

Probably closer to 100% than it is to 1%, actually. Look at the number of times Angry Birds has been downloaded/bought.

[Vidiot_X]

Hi,

 

I would have to agree that there are a lot of IPad's and Android tablets out there, definitely worth designing for it now.

 

I've added a 'news feed' to the launch application that will download a file and display it as news when the application first opens. This will allow users to see events, new zones, new version downloads and more right from the launch application. I've also whipped up my own markup script so text and images can be placed and colored as well as font size and font type (bold, italic). This is something I've always wanted in Continuum and may be a way to slip in advertizing for revenue.

 

The button and layout is similar to a web page as each time you click on a button it will bring up the corresponding information and interface gadgets on the right (where the news is displayed). This should make it easy to use on a PC or a touch-pad device.

 

Happy Hollidays

- Rich -

 

http://www.phoenix.subspace.co/cla_3.jpg

[Lone Outlaw]

i would still prefer, a top bar and drop down menu system like continuum.

 

View, Resolution, Skin, Help (from continuum)

 

Are you really need.

Edited December 24, 2012 by Lone Outlaw

[Vidiot_X]

Hi,

 

I've got the zone server list working well. Slider works and will auto update player count and server ping. The listing breaks down to 'Ping | Player Count | Zone Name'. A server listed will also change button text color to reflect status (Ping -red not connected, Yellow high ping, green low ping). I may add a sort button for ping, player count and Zone name.

 

- Rich -

 

http://www.phoenix.subspace.co/cla_4.jpg