UI/Mana

So . . . Before I begin, this game will be for the iPad only, for this reason: You won't be able to use your abilities if it's on the iPod - the buttons would have to be a certain size so you can reliably hit them, and at that size, you'd maybe only be able to fit three or four ability/spell slots on-screen. No matter how much I'd like to have an iPod version . . . ah, I'll put some more thought into it, maybe I'd be able to get one out there.

So, I'd like to sketch the UI, but again . . . no hard drive yet. So I'll separate it by chunks - upper left, upper middle, upper right, lower left, lower middle, lower right. These are just kinda vague descriptions of the screen - when I start development, I'll get some actual images out (obviously).

In the upper left section is the mini-map of all five dimensions, extending only to the edges of the region you're in (Well, there's another post I've gotta do). The map will look like five lines, spaced out, one on top of the other, each with a color corresponding to its dimension - white for sky, red for fire, blue for ice, green for jungle, and black for abyss. The dots will be indicators - a dot that represents you, dots that represent settlements, NPCs, enemies (With a certain perk, probably), and other things like portals and dungeons.

In the upper middle screen will be a small, unobtrusive rectangle that says basically "Tap here to purchase extra packages." I've already said what the extra packages are, so no need to go into detail there.

In the upper right of the screen will be, near the corner, the menu button and the inventory/skills button (Which would lead to your skill grid and the skill grids you buy stuff from etc.).

In the lower left of the screen there will be the virtual joystick - left and right to move, up to jump. Maybe a sprint feature, but that would be accessed on the lower right section of the screen . . .

In the lower middle part of the screen there will be your health, stamina, and experience bars, as well as a gold counter and maybe a few other things that should be able to be seen at a glance.

In the lower right of the screen will be the "action buttons" In the corner is your strike button, which just makes you swing your weapon(s). Forming two arcs around the strike button will be some number of ability/spell slots, where you drag and drop your abilities to and from.


Well, that's the concept, anyway, Any suggestions, questions, concerns? Comment. I'll be glad to respond.


Oh, that's right, I'm not done. Stamina/mana. Right,

So, stamina will be the energy source of the game. It will fuel your abilities and spells. While slowly recharging over time, you'll be able to get items that increase your stamina bar (Though you can do that with experience points) and/or increase the recharge rate.

Well, that's about it! I'm going to post about the storyline and how game progression will work.