User Interface
Ongoing coverage on User Interface.
Latest coverage
Pantheon shares patch plans for enemy tagging and leashing, item tooltips, and BOE gear
Visionary Realms has outlined upcoming changes for Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, focusing on enemy tagging, item tooltips, and bind-on-equip gear. The patch, expected in spring, will also include combat and progression updates, with the public test server nearing completion and accessible to Steam players.
Evercold Will Usher In Final Fantasy XIV’s New Era In 2027
Final Fantasy XIV's next expansion, Evercold, is set to release in January 2027, introducing a new ice-ravaged Shard and expanding character customization options. The update will also bring significant changes to the game's design philosophy, including a shift to weekly focus for tasks and adjustments to item level handling. A Nintendo Switch version is planned for August, and the free trial will be expanded to include Shadowbringers.
Morning Mobilization
A bug is causing Gemini for Android Auto to revert to Google Assistant functionality. Separately, Google Wallet is set to receive a significant visual redesign.
Heroic Games Launcher Gets Steam Deck Overhaul With Big Picture Mode
The Heroic Games Launcher has received a significant update for Steam Deck users, introducing a new fullscreen interface that mimics Steam's Big Picture Mode. This overhaul aims to improve usability for handheld and couch gaming, alongside new features like GOG achievements, a deals page, an improved Wine manager, and SteamGridDB integration.
Diablo 4 Is Bringing Back A Classic Feature Fans Have Begged For Since Launch
The upcoming Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion, launching April 28, will reintroduce a classic map overlay feature that fans have requested since the game's initial release. This update, version 3.0, will also bring significant revamps to skill trees, endgame systems, and introduce new classes and difficulty tiers.
PS5 Firmware Update Out Now, We Hope You Like Emojis
A new PlayStation 5 system software update, version 26.03-13.20.00, is now available, adding more emoji reaction options for messages. The update also includes minor improvements to the readability and usability of certain screens within the console's user interface.
Heroic Games Launcher gets a slick full-screen console-like mode
Heroic Games Launcher version 2.21 introduces a new full-screen, console-like mode designed for gamepad navigation, enhancing its usability on TV PCs. This update also adds a Deals page for GOG promotions, achievement support for GOG games, and the ability to pick game covers from SteamGridDB. A native Windows Arm64 build is also now available.
Game Devs Reveal the Hidden Complexity Behind Pause Buttons
Game developers are revealing the surprising complexity behind implementing pause buttons, a feature often taken for granted by players. Implementing pause mechanics requires careful consideration of physics engines, multiplayer synchronization, and engine-specific solutions, with different genres and platforms presenting unique challenges. This behind-the-scenes look highlights the intricate problem-solving involved in creating seemingly simple game features.
Steam’s Hidden Update Info Breaks the Early Access Story
Steam's current interface makes it difficult for players to find crucial information about when early access games were last updated, potentially leading to a perception of abandonment. This lack of transparency undermines the trust between developers and players, which is essential for the early access model. Platforms like Itch.io offer better visibility for recent activity, and Steam could improve its own system with simple additions like a 'last updated' date on store pages.
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is leveraging player feedback to deliver the strategy RPG I've longed for…
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era developer Unfrozen is incorporating extensive player feedback for its Early Access release on April 30, 2026. Changes include renaming the Sylvan faction to Grove and redesigning the user interface to be more reminiscent of older titles. The team is also focusing on difficulty balancing, drawing inspiration from original creator Jon Van Caneghem's 'Fun AI' concept.
Amazon’s New Fire TV Stick HD and Ember Artline Aim to Clean Up Your Entertainment Setup
Amazon has launched new Fire TV products, including the Fire TV Stick HD and the Ember Artline smart TV which doubles as an art display. Both devices feature a redesigned, cleaner user interface and integrated Alexa AI for recommendations. The Fire TV Stick HD is available now for $34.99, while the Ember Artline starts at $899.99 and begins shipping April 22.
Everwind Players Slam Weapon Durability Icon as ‘Poor Design Choice’
Players of the game Everwind are criticizing a specific weapon durability icon, deeming it a poor design choice that breaks immersion. The article discusses how confusing UI elements can detract from the player experience and emphasizes the importance of clear, intuitive design in games, even for seemingly minor details like weapon condition indicators.
Crimson Desert – 15 Best PC Mods
This article lists fifteen of the most impactful mods available for Crimson Desert, focusing on improvements to user interface, game mechanics, and visual fidelity. Mods cover areas such as inventory management, map display, combat animations, and character customization, aiming to enhance the player's experience and immersion in the game's open world.
Sony is nerfing its Bravia TVs' program guide
Sony is removing features from the program guide and TV guide on select 2023-2025 Bravia television models for over-the-air antenna channels. Changes include the removal of channel logos, thumbnail images in program descriptions, and a dedicated Set Top Box TV menu. The company has not provided a reason for these modifications.
Crimson Desert’s Momentum Continues With 10 Incredible New Changes
Crimson Desert has received another significant update, introducing numerous changes and improvements based on player feedback and previously discovered bugs. Key additions include toggling weapon visibility, faster dialogue progression, improved targeting and fast travel systems, and new aerial movement options. The update also brings enhanced skills for companions Damiane and Oongka, official Intel Arc GPU support with XeSS 3.0, and various quality-of-life improvements to the world map, font size, camera options, and inventory management.
Evening Mobilization
This article provides an early look at the new user interface for Android Auto's HVAC and climate control features. The preview highlights the updated design and functionality for managing vehicle climate settings through the Android Auto system.
Steam Update Fixes Achievement Black Hole and Brings Proper Display Modes
A recent Steam update addresses a critical bug that caused achievements to disappear and introduces long-awaited display options. The patch includes Windowed, Borderless, and Exclusive Fullscreen modes, along with UI scaling from 80% to 200%, significantly improving usability on high-resolution monitors. The update also retroactively applies earned achievements and adds a quit confirmation dialog.
PS Store Got a Cool Stealth Update Alongside New PS5 UI
Sony has stealthily updated the PlayStation 5's PlayStation Store with changes to the 'Browse' tab, now featuring large playable video icons and brief descriptions for games. These updates, which began rolling out alongside the new PS5 UI, are not part of a beta and are being made available to select users globally.
PS5's PS Store Is Getting a Netflix-Style Makeover Soon
Sony is reportedly redesigning the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 5 with a new layout featuring large, Netflix-style tiles and enhanced filtering tags. This update, seen in the system's beta program, aims to improve game discoverability by adding descriptive tags and auto-playing trailers on hover.
Microsoft starts removing unnecessary Copilot buttons in Windows 11
Microsoft is removing unnecessary Copilot buttons and branding from Windows 11 applications like Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos, and Widgets. This move follows criticism regarding the forced integration and inconsistent experience of the AI assistant. The company plans to be more intentional about Copilot's integration across Windows.