Map View (for PlayStation platform) In the map view (with the Map tab selected and navigation through the L1 and R1 buttons), players are directly taken to the heart of "Chronicles of the Shrouded Thanes" game, i.e., the area where the player navigates. In the prototype video, the map is displayed in the "Overworld" section. Navigation through different worlds is performed using the L2 and R2 buttons. The map shows the game's areas where the player completes tasks. If voice guidance is enabled in the game, it describes each task. Additionally, an effect sound notifies when the cursor is over a task icon. In this example, the map is navigated using the PlayStation's left analog stick, but navigation is also possible with the PlayStation's touchpad, which will be utilized in the following UI examples.
On the left side of the map view, there's a task bar showing the player's progress in various categories. At the bottom of the map view, intuitively placed control buttons such as “View Legend”, “Active Markers”, "Hide Sidebar", and "Quick Save" are user-friendly and allow quick access to game functions without needing to exit the map view.
The game features various task descriptions implemented in a unique style, allowing players to delve deeper into tasks by navigating to the journal section. In the description of each task, there is a background image related to it.
My Font Choices Cinzel is a bold and ancient-style font designed by Natanael Gama. Its clear and sharp serifs create a strong presence, making it ideal for large headlines and titles that demand attention and authority. Its classical shapes pay homage to the design traditions of bygone eras, making it an excellent choice for enhancing the majestic appearance of a game set in a fantasy world.Lora, designed by Cyreal, showcases softer and more readable characteristics. Its rounded serifs and smooth flow make it an excellent choice for longer text blocks, such as the game's narrative or menu texts. Its elegant and inviting appearance balances the stronger character of Cinzel, providing the game's interface with accessibility and readability. Together, Cinzel and Lora form a perfect combination; one emphasizing the game's grand fantasy elements and the other ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience.
Players also have the option to choose an alternative font. For ease of reading and dyslexia, the game offers the option to select the Sans-serif OpenDyslexic font, created by Abbie Gonzalez.
The game's icons have been designed with the game's theme in mind. Although the icons are not final, they provide an indication of the game's symbolism during the first round of the concept.
The color palette of the game is designed to support its fantasy context, where each selected shade represents a part of the game's story and ambiance. I use cool tones such as "Soft Dawn" and "Ravenrock Ash" to reflect the beginning of a new adventure and ancient resilience. Warm tones like "Enchanted Gold" and "Whisperwind's Echo" deepen the world's mystery and enrich the story, while "Midnight Essence" and "Twilight's Whisper" bring out the depth and secrets of the night. Together, these colors create a visual symphony that brings the game world to life and offers players a multidimensional experience. Color-blind users have the option to change the color palette, and a portion of this is demonstrated later in the options video.
In reality, the map can be moved in real-time in any desired manner, but in this prototype video, it is implemented in stages. The video demonstrates how the map functions in the final version of the game.
Octane Render
Throughout the map view composition, I focused on crafting a piece that resonates with the game's overall theme and its mysterious essence. Accompanying myself on the electric piano, E-mu Emulator II, with a cello (sound) echoing the chord patterns, I consistently laid down a rhythm with a Dno3 chord throughout the entire piece. In the first verse, the interplay of low notes Bb5 and A alternates, weaving a melody that can stir dark and profound emotions within the listener. The second verse introduces higher notes Bb5 and F, creating a contrast to the first verse and potentially opening the composition to lightness and space. The third verse merges these elements, with open Dno3 chords introducing additional dynamic and rhythmic variations, potentially infusing the music with tension and anticipation. The melodic journey in the fourth verse, featuring Bb5, A, Bb5, G, and culminating in G5, A5, sets an expectant atmosphere, possibly indicating narrative twists or emphasizing critical moments in the narrative. The fifth verse, with chords F#7, F, Gm, E, A, and D, concluding on a Dno3 chord, offers a more traditional harmonic structure. This might convey a sense of decisiveness or climax, perhaps hinting at the story's conclusion or a pivotal game moment, all while maintaining a consistent accompaniment with the Dno3 chord to unify the piece's rhythmic foundation.
