I don't have any problems with the controls on keyboard. I am much like the second poster with large hands that can easily allow me to move camera and run/walk. I use the Macros efficently and can easily switch from one set to the next. I love how the keys are used for typing, this eliminates me having to press and extra button to talk.
I think the layout of all the boxes is great, if you think that the group box is too small perhaps you should lower your resolution or invest in a larger monitor.
Just remember, although this is a MMORPG it is not like all MMORPGs because it is cross platform, you must respect SE for doing something this grand that brings so many people together and IT ACTUALLY WORKS WELL!
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Great game, BAD user interface!Follow
"I didn't say they couldn't just that a lot of them use auto follow in battle and refuse to do otherwise. In addition I've found that those who use the arrow keys still don't manuver as well as somone using a controller. Keyboarders tend to have trouble crossing crowded rooms without drawing agro because they don't have the benefit of dual stick control (one to move one to pan the camera) nor do they have analog directional control. So while the controller players are effortlessly manuvering around the mobs keeping an eye on them as they move with the camera control stick the keyboarder is going "move, stop, look, turn, move, stop, look, turn" Or worse, he's just autofollwing somone else. In either case he invariably gets spotted and draws agro. "
It's the same thing for me with the keybaord. I use ESDF to move and the arrow keys to use the camera, both at the same time, just like the two analog sticks. I have no problem weaving my way in and out of crowded spaces. It all comes to down to preference as one person said, but people talking about the keyboard with false information isnt right.
It's the same thing for me with the keybaord. I use ESDF to move and the arrow keys to use the camera, both at the same time, just like the two analog sticks. I have no problem weaving my way in and out of crowded spaces. It all comes to down to preference as one person said, but people talking about the keyboard with false information isnt right.
Scholar
38 posts
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Just pointing out that there is a window resizing feature... outside the game. You can resize both your graphics and the overlay to differnt sizes if you look in your Start menu. :)
Yes, I know how to change the screen resolution, however this doesn't change the fact you cannot resize or move the group/party window. At 1600x1200 its pretty small and in the bottom of the screen. I'd like to move it somewhere more visible to me when I play. Instead of stairing down at the bottom of the screen I could see part of the battle at least if I moved it to the middle left or right of the screen.
Before you get too frustrated with the UI, you should really play the game with a PS2 controller - the game was designed with a controller in mind and it shows. PC controllers are OK, but -make sure- it has the same number, type, and layout of buttons as a PS2, and that it works well in general (the market is flooded with horrible PC game controllers). The only few people I've heard that didn't like playing with a controller were using ones with fewer buttons, or otherwise crappy controllers.
While certain actions may require more button presses than a keyboard (Macros, for example) - the controller has the sheer speed to make up for it. As anyone who's played a console game for any period of time can tell you - you learn navigation through the game and menus like the back of your hand. I can navigate through pretty much all of the UI menus before they even have a chance to fully appear on screen. And with a decent macro setup, you can fire off macros just as fast as keyboard users.
Pretty much the only drawback to using a controller, is that you have to put it down to type. A problem if you're the chatterbox type, but really a non-issue for most people. Most chatting is usually done in down-time, where it doesn't matter if your hand is on the control or not.
While certain actions may require more button presses than a keyboard (Macros, for example) - the controller has the sheer speed to make up for it. As anyone who's played a console game for any period of time can tell you - you learn navigation through the game and menus like the back of your hand. I can navigate through pretty much all of the UI menus before they even have a chance to fully appear on screen. And with a decent macro setup, you can fire off macros just as fast as keyboard users.
Pretty much the only drawback to using a controller, is that you have to put it down to type. A problem if you're the chatterbox type, but really a non-issue for most people. Most chatting is usually done in down-time, where it doesn't matter if your hand is on the control or not.
I am slowly learning the ins and outs of what, yes, is a bit of a clunky PC interface (relative to what I am used to) .. but .. I am sure I will get there eventually. Every day I learn a new 'trick' and I expect that will continue for some time to come.
My biggest issue right now is that I too often seem to connect the ALT and TAB keys simultaneously - which, of course, boots me out of the game. I am not sure how to get around that either, except with practice and extreme caution - since my macros are on the CTRL and ALT keys (as we all use). CTRL is not an issue (so far - although I know that CTRL and ESC could do the same).
Since I hold down the ALT key to see / use my heal macros in mid-fight and then have to select someone to heal (and am not yet fast at using the F-keys), my inclination is to reach for the TAB key (or occasionally, I just 'miss' what I am reaching for) .. and bye bye me - mid-fight - leaving my partner to fend for his little, very fragile, BLM self, while obviously still in need of a heal.
Perhaps I will try moving my heal spells to a secondary bank of CTRL macros - and switch pages back and forth rather than using the ALT bank at all. I just don't have room, even at level 9, for all my macros on one page with only one key unfortunately.
Oh well .. maybe that will teach him not to play with me too often. (joke)
I am a bit sorry to hear that people don't think SE has/will have any intention/inclination to improve this PC interface. I kwow I will get used to it all in time, mind you. I won't let it interfere with my enjoyment of the game (which I love!), but, it will probably be a long time before I feel confident enough to group outside my immediate set of 3 friends.
My biggest issue right now is that I too often seem to connect the ALT and TAB keys simultaneously - which, of course, boots me out of the game. I am not sure how to get around that either, except with practice and extreme caution - since my macros are on the CTRL and ALT keys (as we all use). CTRL is not an issue (so far - although I know that CTRL and ESC could do the same).
Since I hold down the ALT key to see / use my heal macros in mid-fight and then have to select someone to heal (and am not yet fast at using the F-keys), my inclination is to reach for the TAB key (or occasionally, I just 'miss' what I am reaching for) .. and bye bye me - mid-fight - leaving my partner to fend for his little, very fragile, BLM self, while obviously still in need of a heal.
Perhaps I will try moving my heal spells to a secondary bank of CTRL macros - and switch pages back and forth rather than using the ALT bank at all. I just don't have room, even at level 9, for all my macros on one page with only one key unfortunately.
Oh well .. maybe that will teach him not to play with me too often. (joke)
I am a bit sorry to hear that people don't think SE has/will have any intention/inclination to improve this PC interface. I kwow I will get used to it all in time, mind you. I won't let it interfere with my enjoyment of the game (which I love!), but, it will probably be a long time before I feel confident enough to group outside my immediate set of 3 friends.
Edited, Thu Jan 15 09:33:34 2004 by ZianWarrior
Winks wrote:
boohoo
And I hope this is the response you always get in life when you have a problem with something.
Now. As someone stated earlier trying to keep game as close to PS2 interface as being desirable I totally disagree with. SE screwed up with both the POL system and UI. It may work for PS2, but I know people who wont even give the game a chance because of the UI. Offering increased options even if its different then PS2 UI only improves the community as far as I see it by allowing people to explore how to best play their toons. Everybody loves the EQ UI because of its versitility. You optimize game play with something like that. If they scrapped current log in system for PC users and made a more logical UI based on what PC users of other games are used to I would give this game a 10. Otherwise, have to give it an 8.5 because of things. Yes, Ive become adept at using current UI and for most part have eliminated half the login/logout problems by just alt+tab when Im done playing. But I still want a UI with movable windows that I can feel totally comfortable with in all circumstances.
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As for all those config keys someone was talkin about.. hmm lets see F8 for nearest object TAB to cycle objects from left to right by position on the screen, then Shift Tab to go the other way.
The controler to me seems to be more of a problem in itself. What do you do, push a button to pull up the macro list, then push left or right to get to a macro, then press another button to execute it? Instead of the quick and simple Alt-8 or whatever ur favorite key is.
The controler to me seems to be more of a problem in itself. What do you do, push a button to pull up the macro list, then push left or right to get to a macro, then press another button to execute it? Instead of the quick and simple Alt-8 or whatever ur favorite key is.
Shoulder key brings it up, action key activates it. You can scroll left and right with the dpad. Or I can just use the keyboard that's sitting in front of me on the desk.
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Okay so it's not "Dual Stick" control, you can do the same thing with the keyboard. I use the compact controls so I move with WSAD. I can look around either using the mouse, or the left and right arrows while I'm still moving.
It just takes coordination, and the knowledge of your controls, just like any other game. I bet I could move just as smoothly as someone with a controler. Why? Because I know how to use my keys.
No, you can't. Every keyboarder says that, and I'm sure that they believe that. But if you watch them move around it's painfully obvious that they're a keyboarder. They're using 8 directional control and it shows in the way they move.
Final Fantasy XI 12-14-11 Update wrote:
Adjust the resolution of menus.
The main screen resolution for "FINAL FANTASY XI" is dependent on the "Overlay Graphics Resolution" setting.
If the Overlay Graphics Resolution is set higher than the Menu Resolution, menus will be automatically resized.
The main screen resolution for "FINAL FANTASY XI" is dependent on the "Overlay Graphics Resolution" setting.
If the Overlay Graphics Resolution is set higher than the Menu Resolution, menus will be automatically resized.
I thought of it first:
http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=10&mid=130073657654872218#20
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No, you can't. Every keyboarder says that, and I'm sure that they believe that. But if you watch them move around it's painfully obvious that they're a keyboarder. They're using 8 directional control and it shows in the way they move.
I can. I can do anything any of you listed above, dodge mobs while moving the camera at the same time, or any of that other stuff. I am a keyboard user and I can do these things. You wouldn't be able to tell the difference with my configuration.
Aww, I'm sorry, I don't have a pressure sensitive keyboard. What more do you want from static keys, press left turn left. Oh wait I press left I can STILL be moving the same direction because I move my camera at the same time. Or I stay running the same direction because of auto-run. Lets see.. I turn to fast and jaggy while running, thats an easy fix. When you start running, keep holding forward, and push the 'toggle run' button and it smooths ur turning, wow by that it looks like im playing with a pressure sensitive joystick... Like I said, It's all about knowing your keys. Any questions?
I agree, this is a GREAT game, but i'll be leaving at the end of my free month because of 2 reasons, the bad interface, and the limited chat window. The bad interface has been discussed here, and i have used a PS2 controller, and it helps the game tremendously... until you group, and actually need to communicate with your group or linkshell often. Having to put aside my controller everytime i wanted to type something blows.
Second is the chat window. 8 lines of text is just not enough. You should be able to have multiple windows, with each window having a specific filter. When i'm in a group, and i'm a maintank, i can't see what the hell is going on in the text window because i just get so much spam. Spam from my attack, spam from me being attacked, spam from others calling Renkei chains, spam from others provoking, spam from healers as they call out heals, and spam from chat and linkshell.
Another issue i want to add to the interface is the targetting, which is just a pain in the ***. I don't know how i'm suppose to do this, but if i'm a Paladin and tanking something, and i need to toss a heal on a party member, it's not as easy as just targetting and casting a cure. I've read some advice on specific macros and such, but even they don't seem to work 100% of the time.
As a console game, i suppose this game and the interface would be the best out there... but i didn't buy this expecting this to be a console game. How difficult could it be to fit a interface more specific for a PC?
Second is the chat window. 8 lines of text is just not enough. You should be able to have multiple windows, with each window having a specific filter. When i'm in a group, and i'm a maintank, i can't see what the hell is going on in the text window because i just get so much spam. Spam from my attack, spam from me being attacked, spam from others calling Renkei chains, spam from others provoking, spam from healers as they call out heals, and spam from chat and linkshell.
Another issue i want to add to the interface is the targetting, which is just a pain in the ***. I don't know how i'm suppose to do this, but if i'm a Paladin and tanking something, and i need to toss a heal on a party member, it's not as easy as just targetting and casting a cure. I've read some advice on specific macros and such, but even they don't seem to work 100% of the time.
As a console game, i suppose this game and the interface would be the best out there... but i didn't buy this expecting this to be a console game. How difficult could it be to fit a interface more specific for a PC?
Hmm... Guess I've been playing the game for all the wrong reasons. I was playing it for fun, meet new ppl... all that sort of stuff.
Almost every forum I read ppl complain about the UI and sometimes the POL Viewer. Guess I have to look for a UI just like all the other games which i'm used too.. only then will the game be fun...
Come on Guys? You REALLY think the UI is that bad? Personally I love it. It's as easy as hell, and with the right macroes it' just simpliefies things. It took me 10 mins an I knew exactly what was going on, cept for the macroes.
I know I'm gonna get shot down for this, but if guys really hate the interface that much... why not just get a game that you will be happy with?
Sorry I just get tired of all these complaints :/
Almost every forum I read ppl complain about the UI and sometimes the POL Viewer. Guess I have to look for a UI just like all the other games which i'm used too.. only then will the game be fun...
Come on Guys? You REALLY think the UI is that bad? Personally I love it. It's as easy as hell, and with the right macroes it' just simpliefies things. It took me 10 mins an I knew exactly what was going on, cept for the macroes.
I know I'm gonna get shot down for this, but if guys really hate the interface that much... why not just get a game that you will be happy with?
Sorry I just get tired of all these complaints :/
You must have some High Quality Values to look up to... Quiting a game cuz of the UI? Be glad it has as many options as it does. Alot of games say here, this is what you have to look at, deal with it. The UI is just fine for me, I haven't played all those other games so IMO this UI is great, does everything I need it to, I don't have 'expectations' of what it 'should' or 'shouldnt' have.
And if its a issue of SPAM then use the filters. They are there, learn em, use em and quit being lazy about it. If youre that lazy I dont want to play with you in the first place. Harsh maybe, but truthful. If you are gonna whine about somethin you can fix yourself ingame then I dont even wanna bother with you.
And if its a issue of SPAM then use the filters. They are there, learn em, use em and quit being lazy about it. If youre that lazy I dont want to play with you in the first place. Harsh maybe, but truthful. If you are gonna whine about somethin you can fix yourself ingame then I dont even wanna bother with you.
eh... I love the UI...
reminds me of my MU* days. Sometimes when I get bored soloing I do everything by command instead of using menus.
reminds me of my MU* days. Sometimes when I get bored soloing I do everything by command instead of using menus.
Take a look at a UI like Anarchy Online's, you wont know how good something can be unless youve seen better.
-Sent
-Sent
I was a beta tester for AO. Unless they've fixed it a lot... I like this a lot better.
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I know I'm gonna get shot down for this, but if guys really hate the interface that much... why not just get a game that you will be happy with?
Because it's not the game they're unhappy with. I mean, the game is great, and we wanna keep playing, which is why we try to figure out what needs improving, so we can make a great game even better.
It's annoying mostly because it's something that shouldn't really be a problem. Creating a useful UI isn't all that hard, since games have been doing it right for years now. This is just a thorn that should be easily removed, but is still sticking there. But on the plus side, because it is so easy to fix, I imagine at some point we will indeed see a fix. And it will be that much better, when compared to what we have now.
Thought for the masses. They could be working on this as we speak... Will you ever know? Not really... Unless someone can link me to the playonline/squarenix message stating they are doing NOTHING for the UI then theres no proof that they aren't.
"I was a beta tester for AO. Unless they've fixed it a lot... I like this a lot better."
BETA! AO has changed so much since then, I havent played the beta but I know how bad it was back then, I dont expect you to buy it and play or anything though. They actually now have two UIs with Shadowlands.
BETA! AO has changed so much since then, I havent played the beta but I know how bad it was back then, I dont expect you to buy it and play or anything though. They actually now have two UIs with Shadowlands.
It irks me to see the number of people complaining User Interface in the context of the input devices. It is completly and 100% possiable to become as accurate with the keyboard as you are with the mouse given enough time, practice, and effort.
However, it takes FAR more effort and energy to do this than it would be if there were a mouse.
Anyway, just clearing up the disinformation regarding the incapability of the interface vs the users incabability.
However, it takes FAR more effort and energy to do this than it would be if there were a mouse.
Anyway, just clearing up the disinformation regarding the incapability of the interface vs the users incabability.
Yes I agree, I am very adept with the keyboard and it didnt take any time for me to get used to it really. I can move and use the camera like it's nothing. Of course I would still like to see a few changes.
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To add to my above post.
Game controlers are only more effective in one situation, and that is if you cannot use a keyboard proficiently.
The only other reason to use a game controller is if you want to be an 'uber 1337 d00d'
Game controlers are only more effective in one situation, and that is if you cannot use a keyboard proficiently.
The only other reason to use a game controller is if you want to be an 'uber 1337 d00d'
Edited, Thu Jan 15 09:34:20 2004 by ZianWarrior
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Its not the end of the world. and IMHO if someone is going to stop playing the game because they think the INterface is bad. Then stop playing and stop posting on this forum.
Now if you had actually read a post or two you would have noticed exactly why we post:
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Because it's not the game they're unhappy with. I mean, the game is great, and we wanna keep playing, which is why we try to figure out what needs improving, so we can make a great game even better.
Now if you have a problem with people speaking their ideas to better something then come back, ok? It's hard to explain what is better, if this is your very first MMORPG or first PC game then it'll be hard for you to understand if you have never seen what the hell we are talking about.
-Sent
Edited, Thu Jan 15 09:08:35 2004 by Sentouki
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