The distance between combat activities & minimap is a bit too large, especially on wide screens. To keep track of the tiny map events, a playerâs eyes frequently wander back and forth, which is tiring. (Several other UI elements, like progress bars or timers, share this unfavorable positional issue. Perhaps I will do a followup with another dedicated mockup.)
To make it easier to focus on both, I suggest an option for the minimap to move closer to the player character. Here it would be awesome if players are allowed to position it freely.
I recommend checking out my linked mockup below. It shows minimap examples for centered and left aligned skill bars, and also provides an example for Infernal Hordes, where the minimap is essential. Here it is:
https://imgur.com/HVkWZQA
Btw, I know what a map overlay is but I dont know whether Blizzard is against it or not. Moving an existing UI element is easy and could have higher chances of being considered.
The minimap looks cluttered? Sure, it takes up a bit more space with a centered skill bar. But in the end many players would see more regardless, as it compensates for the constant minimap distraction with the cornered version.
It wouldnât matter to me if it were an option, but I donât find the mini-map distracting to begin with and would not want it using valuable real-estate positioned in the center of the screen. I donât think many would use the option.
Iâm all for players to have the ability to rearrange their UI.
Just a general consideration though, even with the view tilted slightly towards the top of the screen, the visible area in regard to actual space is larger left and right than it is top to bottom, so stacking things in the middle space would drastically lower the playerâs field of view in an already problematic direction.
I agree with the responses. I would not my minimap there. I donât know if thereâs a better place for it, but I also donât care⌠the current position doesnât bother me.
I have no problem with where the mini map is personallyâŚ.that said I also have no problem with players having the freedom to move it wherever they wantâŚâŚpersonal taste really
As mentioned above, this issue is linked to how wide your screen is, how close you sit, what content you play. In any case, I dont need to make a survey to know that Diablo 4 frequently requires the player to use the map or minimap: Dark Citadel, Infernal Hordes, Helltides, Undercity, Legions, Towns, basically all content of the game. This is not just an opinion. Overall, it makes perfect sense to want the map in a place that is more accessible.
I also noticed that there are regular posts about the need for a map overlay and how Infernal Hordes is mostly played with the top right corner of the screen.
Lets keep cool on this. Nobody asks random people for their input before starting a forum thread.
As mentioned above, I prefer a draggable minimap. But it is not like I chose the bottom position at random for the mockup.
From my experience with WoW and interface addons, it was very helpful to place the minimap directly below the player while farming herbs or other resources (icons). If I know that I will be spending significant time looking at the minimap, then it is only natural to make it more comfortable to use.
The bottom of the screen was also one of the better tested positions for close range use, as this area moves quickly and covers a smaller field of view, at least when it comes to non-isometric graphics.
Thats where the idea comes from. Dont like it at all? Fine!
Then you might remember that map overlays existed in previous Diablo entries.
Yes, upper right is best place in my opinion. (happy now?) I have never said it wasnât my opinion or the opinion of anyone else; you however have several times.
I also donât get your rant here. I already said I donât care as long as it is a player choice.
Itâs not Blizzard, itâs someone on the D4 staff for âaestheticâ reasons, who may or may not still matter in the decision-making process - and itâs probably more the âresourceâ commitment such a feature requires, rather than âaestheticsâ. IOW, Rod said âNoâ, or something.
Your minimap is not too cluttered. A lot of players would make use of it. Iâd certainly try it out. I tend to use a rectangular Carbonite minimap in the lower right corner in WoW. My D4 HUD is the console left-corner setup (an option on PC settings), so even a bottom-center minimap would work for me. Giving at least 5 options (3 at bottom, 2 at top) should satisfy everyone. They already have 2 HUD options - itâs not a foreign concept to them.
Thatâs feedback after 3 minutes of thinking about it. I didnât even black out.
I didnât even black out.