New website header

[stiv]

The download button seems out of place. It doesn't fit the theme or function of the other tabs and at first glance, looks like part of the game.

[Olrox]

The final version of the background could feature 3 parts of screenshots from the 3 tilesets, with smooth transitions, like Arizona > Urban > Rockies. I think it'd be nice to picture some of the diversity we have in-game (I know it should draw attention, and agree on kamaze that we should have something with special effects that make them more subtle).

I also agree that the download button currently looks misplaced. Perhaps making a hub that integrates it to the rest of the tabs could solve that.

~Olrox

[Terminator]

As for background scrnshot..may be make the same perspective but from trunk version ? (with new Textures would look much better)

[Zarel]

Current background looks better than screenshot, for sure.
Size change on hover is distracting, maybe better change font color only?

While I appreciate your intention to help, what you are proposing would remove everything that makes this design unique. While those are indeed elements that should be toned down, removing them entirely as you propose would make the design basically... just boring.

The screenshot background would may look better, if it would be HQ (at least 1080px width + FSAA + AAF) and then maybe run trough some kind of paint filter, to wash out some details and make it less distracting.

Actually, it's already filtered to be faded to 90% (i.e. 10% white).

I'm thinking a gradient overlay is needed, probably at greater opacity than 10%. Its width is 1400px (and 1200px is working).

The final version of the background could feature 3 parts of screenshots from the 3 tilesets, with smooth transitions, like Arizona > Urban > Rockies. I think it'd be nice to picture some of the diversity we have in-game (I know it should draw attention, and agree on kamaze that we should have something with special effects that make them more subtle).

Planned.

That floating download button will be changed to kind of icon or moved somewhere?

The download button seems out of place. It doesn't fit the theme or function of the other tabs and at first glance, looks like part of the game.

I also agree that the download button currently looks misplaced. Perhaps making a hub that integrates it to the rest of the tabs could solve that.

Noted, but since we already have 7 tabs, I am so not going to add one more.

Now, what do you mean by a "hub"?

As for background scrnshot..may be make the same perspective but from trunk version ? (with new Textures would look much better)

Yeah, that was what I originally planned, but apparently I can't compile trunk anymore. :/

[Emdek]

Current background looks better than screenshot, for sure.
Size change on hover is distracting, maybe better change font color only?

While I appreciate your intention to help, what you are proposing would remove everything that makes this design unique. While those are indeed elements that should be toned down, removing them entirely as you propose would make the design basically... just boring.

Tabs are usually boring (and this is not only my opinion).
Moving elements are distracting, but who codes decides. But even color change combined with current size still makes sense.
And back to the screenshot, maybe one less distracting and solid would look good. Of course with trunk textures / models, if possible. Also that proposal to combine images with different sceneries is interesting.

[stiv]

Noted, but since we already have 7 tabs, I am so not going to add one more.

I can't help noticing the current design only has 6 tabs but somehow manages to include Download.

If too many tabs makes your head explode, just have two:

| Download | All The Other Stuff |

[cybersphinx]

I'd merge "about" and "home", it always annoys me if the main page of a site doesn't tell me what it's actually about.

[Safety0ff]

I'd merge "about" and "home", it always annoys me if the main page of a site doesn't tell me what it's actually about.

Yea, we don't need 3 links to http://wz2100.net in the header.

[Olrox]

Now, what do you mean by a "hub"?

Hmm, probably it'd be called a "panel" rather than a "hub". Just something that could contain the tabs and the download button and provide a connection to the page's background. Thinking it over, probably you wouldn't like it.

I'd make a sketch but I'm a bit busy playing around with rendering muzzle flashes in 3DSMax (I'll share the results, of course - watch the showcase in the next hours )

Hmm, but what did you already plan for the header? This can avoid comments on things you'll change already - there is no way to be sure otherwise.

~Olrox

[Safety0ff]

For comparison purposes, I put the download link in the tabs, merged some tabs and re-ordered them:

[Zarel]

I can't help noticing the current design only has 6 tabs but somehow manages to include Download.

I can't help noticing the current design has neither an "About" link nor an "Addons" link. What's your point?

I'd merge "about" and "home", it always annoys me if the main page of a site doesn't tell me what it's actually about.

I was thinking "About" could be more detailed introduction than "Home". I mean, it has three planned subpages, "About the Game", "Screenshots", and "About Us". The problem with "Home" is that it can't have sub-tabs as easily.

I guess I'll try to work that in...

[Zarel]

I toned down the screenshot, and made it glossy.

Thoughts?

glossy.png

[Olrox]

I toned down the screenshot, and made it glossy.

Thoughts?

glossy.png

I think the gloss effect looks wrong like this - I'm not sure, but adding some curvature to it could be better. But the tone is fine IMO, looks subtle enough. The icons are nice!

~Olrox

[BlueMaxima]

Looks good, I'd like to see idea no. 3 with the current graphics though, see how it looks.

[stiv]

I can't help noticing the current design only has 6 tabs but somehow manages to include Download.

I can't help noticing the current design has neither an "About" link nor an "Addons" link. What's your point?

Simply this:
* A Download page is kinda sorta the whole point to this affair
* Hiding it in a weird button that looks like it is part of a game screenshot doesn't make it more obvious and
* it breaks the UI metaphor where a button is used for an action (think Submit) and a tab takes you to another page (like Download!)

Hey, look! Your latest attempt has a Download tab. What a great idea!