The World of ShipAntics Windows, Mac, Flash, Web, iPhone, iPad, Android game

0 comments by StudioPOWWOW on Mar 21st, 2013

ShipAntics HUD
 

ShipAntics Verb Icons

Some concepts for the UI. I’m definitely torn between the form and function balance with regards to UI. It has to be clear, non intrusive and elegant. But I’m tempted to stick starfish and barnacles and seaweed everywhere, to make it fun and give it a bit more character. Classic games like Lucasarts’ Full Throttle, and Monkey Island gave a cool spin to the old verb coin interface. A simple solution where all the interface functionality was stripped down into 3 basic choices. A hand, to grab, pick up, push or pull. A mouth to talk, or eat. And an eye to look at or examine. Seems like the perfect number of elements.

UI Concepts
 

UI ConceptsUI Concepts

But when you put those pieces together, the eye, hand and mouth icons start to merge together, forming some weird cubist painting with eyes where the mouth should be. So what if it was a crab, with snappy pincers to pick up items. Or one of those old throttle controls from an old bridge.

Various UI elements

Various UI elements