Crosshair reload bar could be so much more

[oldmeme]

Before I complain about a game I only just bought and played, let it be known that if development continues on this, it'll be a very very fun game. It has the potential to go far and is money well spent (potentially).

QQ bit:
One of the most irritating things I have found with the game so far however is the reload progress bar. It's an important enough piece, the game relying on split second timing and making every little bit count. My qualm is that I rarely keep an eye directly on the crosshair (and thus the progress bar) and more in the general direction of it, my eyes focusing on how close the health munching zombies are to my character. The fact that the small and spindly, tan coloured bar is coupled the brown hue of the ground and dirty skinned zombies that plague the screen, it's hard to keep track of it without having to move my mouse about to find it.

Possible fix bit:
I'm requesting that some options be given to the placement of the bar (such as over the character or at the bottom of the screen) and possibly the shape of the it (such as a revolving ring instead of a small vertical bar).

TL;DR
Reload progress bar is oddly placed and is too important to the gameplay to be left there.

If I seem a bit needy/whiny, I tend to float around the TF2 forums. Go figure.

EDIT: Uh, on a side note, if there are any console controls txt file edits that can solve this, fuggedabout this.

[JK_DC]

I never pay attention to it honestly. There isn't a quick reload or anything like GOW or Alien Swarm.

[SnowBrigade]

Hello oldmeme,

Changing the position/color or other visuals of the reload bar is fairly easy for us to do or change. Like you said it could be a revolving ring, or a clock type of reload change. The position itself is also easy to change.

We would probably make that an option, since it's always safer to have players be able to go back to the current style.

I think a position around the player would be better than at the bottom of the screen since you're focusing on the player more than elsewhere.

In the end, maybe an option to have it where it is now (cursor) or around the player, and then have the current bar or a completely new visual is easy for us to do. Ideas?

[oldmeme]

A quick fix option for me would be a horizontal, slightly brighter bar at the bottom left of the screen. Big and chunky enough for me to notice it without having to break my eye focus from the center of the game. Alternatively, have it be just a zoomed in bar placed beside the numerical ammo count. Again, noticeable enough that I wouldn't need to really focus on it to gather the information.

Another possible option I can think of (just shoving things off the top of my head now) would be having the said ring cursor slightly off center of the character, similar to the off center bar now on the crosshair.

If you wanted to go the the whole nine yards, I'd love to see the ring or bar rotate down as you shoot, rather than keeping an eye on the numerical ammo count in the corner. Then as it reaches empty, it slowly rotates back, showing the reload. This could also be enhanced by having the bar change colour or blink while reloading.

As for colour, the best solution I can think of would be a hue selector so the player could decide, although this might detract from the game's looks to have a gaudy bright green bar.

The fact that you guys took the time to read my nit-picking whining alone is awesome, thanks for that. Best of luck in future endeavours, DiezelPower :D

[mystrdat]

I agree it would be nice to have a choice about the indicator as suggested, probably below the character feet.

[Syncourt]

Options to increase the thickness and shape of the crosshair would be a nice solution to help in finding the crosshair among the chaos at times. Currently I keep my dead body limit at 15 so it keeps the screen clear enough for me to find it easily.

If I could find the crosshair easier I could flood my screen some more :)

I find a lot of the UI is hard to spot unless you take your eyes off the field though. Including your health and especially co-op buddy perks.

[SnowBrigade]

Hello Syncourt,

I'll probably need to post a few mockup screenshots with various visuals of how the reload/crosshair could look, so we can see which version is liked the most.

[BombrMan]

I know this seems like lolz at first, but hear me out. How about a huge but very transparent one that goes across the top or bottom or side. The idea would be that you can see it with your peripheral vision, so you don't have to change where you are looking. To be honest sometimes I am looking at the crosshair and sometimes I am looking at my dude. Sometimes I am looking at powerups and weapons. You really have to take in a lot in this game so progress bars shouldn't interrupt that whole process if possible.