Where are the Next-Gen Interfaces?
Since the announcement of the next-gen consoles, the talk of the town has been all about a handful of features. Horsepower tends to be high on that list, along with particle effects and how much geometry developers allow on-screen. While those are valid topics to be concerned with, one thing that hasn’t received anywhere near as much press time is the part of gaming that effectively controls our experience.
The interface.
Sure, you’ve heard developers talk about how their engine brings unparalleled realism to gamers around the globe – at this point in the console wars, it’s almost expected. I’d venture to say that if a developer doesn’t say that at least once describing their engine, they might end up fired. Yes, that was a joke, but I wouldn’t have brought up the topic without valid reason…
Think about it for a second. How many times have you seen an interface in a video game that leaves you speechless? Chances are that it doesn’t happen that often. Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with interfaces the way they are, so don’t take it as my complaining – it’s just that when hearing about how much the rest of the experience is being touched with things that were previously impossible, why hasn’t the interface issue ever been considered as a part of that whole?
Even in this new generation of video games, some gaming interfaces haven’t evolved one bit. Take for instance, NBA 2k7. A game that has been touted across the internet as having some of the best graphics seen on a gaming console, the interface seems kind of lacking, doesn’t it?
Some games have been stepping it up this generation, though. NBA Live and Fifa titles on next-gen consoles are practically the game, allowing you to practice your moves before selecting where you want to go. The Halo 3 Beta interface is clean, purposed, and blends right into the game experience — and Halo 3 won’t be released officially for another four months. Other than those notable exceptions, though, the vast majority of interfaces this generation have been strikingly similar to what we’ve become accustomed to from the last gen. Until now.
Just today on the Evil Avatar forums, forum member ‘gzsfrk‘ asked members about which gaming interfaces the members found to be “above and beyond” citing the Dirt demo as example (which reminded me to download it). After the wait for the download to complete, I started the demo and was amazed at what I saw.
Eschewing the regular text selection interface that gamers are so used to, I have to admit that the Dirt interface feels almost as incredible as playing the game. The first thing you see is an animation that feels like a pre-rendered video, but the destination is nothing of the sort. The interface is striking in 3D, with a subtle camera movement. You can see other menu elements floating in the distance, properly blurred as they aren’t the focus. When you make a selection, the screen chases down the next page in the floating menus.
Then there’s the subtle floating arrows at varying depths, and the 3D movement of everything when the camera moves. Even the controller config screen, which normally involves immediate changes on-screen, moves in 3D. Moving left and right bring previously unseen selectors flying onto the screen while your former selection moves away from you. Even while the game loads, various stats are animated onto the screen.
Speechless isn’t the word, because there were expletives flying, but these were awe driven.
Simply put, the DiRT interface is the most impressive interface system I’ve ever seen on a console. Honestly, I can’t think of one better anywhere else. It’s not because it’s “the next step in realism” or the particle system. It’s because it combines interface elements that we’re used to as gamers with something fresh and innovative that, at least to me, makes the interface just as much of an experience as the game itself.
I sincerely believe that DiRT’s interface should be viewed by other developers as a challenge to bring their interface up to the same level. Not by copying tough, as every game doesn’t need a 3D floating interface. This interface’s simplicity combined with it’s beauty have me convinced that this is what next-gen interfaces should strive to attempt. Drop your audience’s jaw as they turn on the game, and you have a happy and eager audience of gamers impatient to see the rest of the game.
That’s a first impression you can’t deny.
Don’t believe me? Go download the demo for yourself on Xbox Live Marketplace and give it a try. Even if you’re not a racing fan, I’d say to give it a try just to play around with the interface for a couple of minutes. I suspect you’ll end up racing at least once.
And with an interface like that? I couldn’t blame you one bit.
May 28th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Well the 360 Dashboard itself is a very innovative next-gen interface and I like the interface they have for some of the HD-DVDs, but I think developers don’t brag about interfaces much because they don’t put a lot of work into polishing them and because interfaces don’t usually sell games.
May 28th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Valid points, Intangible 360, but considering the 360 is Microsoft’s innovation, they’ve had more time and effort poured into thinking outside the box with the Dashboard.
The point, though, isn’t to sell a game based on it’s interface alone – it’s just the question of whether more developers will start utilizing the power that the next-gen consoles provide to make a COMPLETELY next-gen experience and trying out new things with the interfaces.
Currently, it seems we’re getting a lot of the next-gen gameplay with a last-gen interface, if I’m making myself a bit more clear. It’s not a bad place to be, but it COULD be a bit better – especially after seeing DiRT’s interface in action.
Thanks for the comment.
May 28th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Good post….interesting topic that most people do not think about.
I have a feeling or a glitter of hope….that Fable 2 will bring us a much more “next gen” type interface…..although I do have any links to show why I think this sadly. but there is a super 360 game video download for free you can check out…..
I think we are at the cusp of seeing what game developers can bring us in regards to utilizing the full power of the 360.
The games, graphics, interface, controls etc etc will only get better hopefully…..and we can one day say that Gears of War looks so “unpolished” lol
May 28th, 2007 at 8:46 am
lol…glad to see someone else actually cares.
I love how the Halo 3 UI blends seamlessly in with the guide. Have you ever looked at a friends profile while playing? It links to their stats and party and everything. But the thing I love about it is that it’s snappy. No one likes a slow , clunky UI that looks boring, or with colors that don’t contrast well. I know Deac used the NBA 2K series as an example, and it’s a great one at that. The blue background doesn’t really work well with anything else.
I know I cut my rant short, but I’m tired and don’t want to type more.
May 28th, 2007 at 8:47 am
edit: deejay, not deac
forgot to look
May 28th, 2007 at 9:07 am
yeah not me but i share the same sentiments. i love a well done menu in a game. Bullet Witch surprisingly had one..and then ofcourse DiRT. it’s the first thing that jumped out at me. their interface was excellent.
May 28th, 2007 at 9:28 am
If there were an Award for Advanced UIs DiRT would get it for sure. Not only that the interface is fabulously looking, it also provides the user with a clever menu of utmost controlability. Its simplicity and easy-to-use handling is uncomparable.
May 28th, 2007 at 9:41 am
NBA Live is junk what were you thinking?
I agree tho every online game should have a lobby with matchmaking and a Y button for FL and invites. Do you think Shadowrun will have this……lol. No MS games is tooi lazy to implement this!
May 28th, 2007 at 10:01 am
That’s a great point. I never thought that it was so important. But when I saw the 360′s dashboard I thought “Hey, that is pretty purdy”. I like it when things look good. I wonder what other creative things developers can think of in the future.
May 28th, 2007 at 10:49 am
I’m not a fan of racing games (because I suck at them), but DiRT’s menu system is great. I played the demo few times more than I otherwise would have just to see some of the stats get filled in while the game loads.
May 28th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
[quote comment="34763"]I’m not a fan of racing games (because I suck at them), but DiRT’s menu system is great. I played the demo few times more than I otherwise would have just to see some of the stats get filled in while the game loads.[/quote]
That’s exactly what I’m talking about!
Once you get past the normal, everyday thoughts of an interface and expand to something new and innovative, everything works together to form a more cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
I can’t wait to see what developers have in store for us – after they play around with DiRT for a couple minutes to see what an awesome interface looks like.
May 28th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I totally agree. The first time I started up the demo I was amazed.
May 28th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Funny, when I started reading your article, I automatically thought: DIRT. I wasn’t exactly blown away while playing it, but I did stop and think: This is pretty cool. Something that I would never do with an interface.
May 29th, 2007 at 8:30 am
I agree that the DIRT interface is phenomenal…
It’s quick. It’s intuitive. It’s sexy/simple.
I thought to myself this game is hot, I should go pick this one up. But then I played the game itself and didn’t enjoy the gameplay. I found the controls overly sensitive and I didn’t enjoy being “saved” back onto the track everytime I tried to make a spectacular crash. The graphics were beautiful, but the controls (while simple) weren’t great. I’ll have to rent the final copy now to see if that’s just a problem with the demo.
Aesthetics and good design principals are highly important to me, and I very much appreciate quality. If it hadn’t been for the UI in DIRT, I probably wouldn’t have bothered trying out the game after playing the demo, but because I’ve seen that they do have good design principals, and they are thinking creatively, I’ll give it a second chance.
Regarding the XBOX UI, I think its Above average, but not perfect. I like the recent improvments alot, and I appreciate that they’re trying to optimize it. If I have to pay for XBOX Live in order to get a better experience that’s fine with me. If I had to pay for a mediocre or lesser experience I’d have a problem.
May 31st, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Does anyone know what program was used and/or how it was created?
May 31st, 2007 at 7:08 pm
nope…i don’t know.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
[...] If so, how is the game? I know you’re loving the menu interface as Unscripted 360 was the first to praise its shine. .admincomment { color: #FFFFFF!important; background: #000000!important; border-style: [...]