November Waypoints

Famous last words: "Are you still holding the ladder?"

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The Scars of Destruction Beta is still going strong, but there's always time for your suggestions and ideas. Here are some of the things we're working on in November.

Pros and Cons

The DarqUI Extended Player window was inspired from the layout of a popular custom ProfitUI component that combines Self, Target and Implied Target data together into one frame. We've added several nice bells and whistles to the DarqUI version of this window since it was created, but Kearniitha noted that mob level and difficulty tier ("con") information for targets and implied targets is still missing.

Understandably, Kearniitha and other players would like the option to use the Extended Player window in place of the three independent windows as much as possible, so we set about figuring out how to transfer target/implied level and tier data into it. You can see below what we have so far which is better, but what we really want is the tier arrows from the primary windows. That's proving trickier than you might imagine, but we'll continue refining this little enhancement during November.

Set a Spell

A while back I started a little side project for Spell Favorites -- a very straightforward custom surface in the Knowledge book with sixteen "favorite" slots for spells, combat arts, abilities, or anything else from the various tabs in the book. The idea is to pre-select certain spells and abilities that you may only use every now and then, including spells or buffs that get temporarily added and removed for certain zones or quests. But instead of rummaging around for them they'll be ready to cast from the handy Favorites page. It's one more way to relieve some of the strain on hotbars.

A few days ago Darq Sider Dr. Pepper gave me a minor heart attack by (facetiously) suggesting in Discord that he needed another row of Icon Bar slots for his many pets and other spells. So I searched the Darq-ives and resurrected some partial code for a Spell Favorites feature instead. Here's what it looks like so far:

Have Purpose, Will Travel

Since the Anashti Sul server went live I've been on something of a mission to bring back the LFG/LFM window, which works beautifully as long as players will use it. Keebs was playing a game on the Xbox a few days ago and I noticed the LFG window in that game had a list of preset activities/goals to pick from (which proves very useful since typing on the Xbox is pesky.)

In my experience when players use the LFG/LFM window, in almost every case they leave the purpose line with the generic "any group" or "looking for more" which shows up in the search results for other players. But doesn't it seem like the window would do a better job of catching the eye of other players with more interesting group purposes like "fast level grind" or "achievement farming." Here's an early look:

Big Talk

Many of you know my thoughts about recent default changes to the Chat window input line. A new control allows the player to dynamically change the size of Chat input text to a more readable size. It's encouraging to see the game designers making adjustments to accommodate higher resolution systems.

Although the result is serviceable and gets the job done, it could benefit from some aesthetic TLC. I have an idea that's only gotten a few minutes of testing. But if it works it will make the Chat window easier on the eyes and more space efficient by trimming out some of the excess empty space without sacrificing the ability to resize the text. Fingers crossed on this one.

Advance Warning

If you've used the NPC Spell Monitor you've seen how you can automatically announce to your group or raid when enemy spells get cast. But Anarke wondered if he could predictively announce incoming enemy spells before they are cast. We've been testing an improvement to the monitor that takes advantage of the flashing five-second warning by adding an optional channel announcement to it, something like

<Zlandicar> will cast <Grip of Mori> in 5 seconds!

This is one of those places where the code was relatively doable, but finding a spot on the UI to configure the new settings is more of a challenge. The goal is to set up and add custom pre-spellcast announcements for specific spells, and potentially allow the user to adjust the predictive timer longer than five seconds. This is a nice solid feature addition, and I'll provide more details as it develops.

Fair Share

Darq Sider Kattster had another good idea for the Bank window -- a control to toggle only the Shared Bank bags while visiting a bank. We've just started testing this feature today, so barring anything unexpected you should see this soon.

Thank You

I want to welcome our new Darq Side members and express my sincere thanks to our established members for your continued patronage. Everything we do here at the Darq Side is possible because of you, and as you can see practically every new idea comes directly from our members.

I am pleased to bring your designs and UI enhancements to hundreds of patrons and thousands of other EverQuest II players around the world every month. An extra thank you goes to those members who have mentioned the project to your guildmates and fellow players.

I'll see you in the Dragon Necropolis!