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PTS Update 46 - Feedback Thread for UI Modernization

  • Elsonso
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    I'm frankly surprised that ZoS hasn't canned these forums since it's obvious they don't use it as a source for player and PTS feedback. FO76 got rid of their forums a couple of years ago and moved it to their unusable discord.

    I expected the ESO forums to also go to the unusable discord format.

    That said, I am glad they have not. If you want to discourage community discourse and participation in a game, discord is the optimal route to take! :smile:
    XBox EU/NA:@ElsonsoJannus
    PC NA/EU: @Elsonso
    PSN NA/EU: @ElsonsoJannus
    Total in-game hours: 10992
    X/Twitter: ElsonsoJannus
  • tomofhyrule
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    I would be interested to see what the Group UI looks like now, because that was definitely unfinished before.

    Nope, still looks unfinished.
    k7a6ba1800s2.png

    This... isn't the final version of the Group UI, right?

    Also I can't help but notice that the vignette is still there, and it's still the same "ye olde blotchy parchment" look as the Live UI. So there's another point for "something that doesn't match anymore."
    Edited by tomofhyrule on May 13, 2025 5:54AM
  • SpiritKitten
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    Can anyone recommend a good UI addon?
  • Ezhh
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    If anyone makes an addon that preserves the look from live, please let me know. The hard lines are too unpleasant.
  • Elvenheart
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    I would be interested to see what the Group UI looks like now, because that was definitely unfinished before.

    Nope, still looks unfinished.
    k7a6ba1800s2.png

    This... isn't the final version of the Group UI, right?

    Also I can't help but notice that the vignette is still there, and it's still the same "ye olde blotchy parchment" look as the Live UI. So there's another point for "something that doesn't match anymore."

    I just can’t stand a solid black box on the screen like that! Is there a way in the game to at least make it more transparent like some of the other boxes?
  • Elvenheart
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    I thought originally the whole point for not having a built-in mini map was because they wanted the UI to be less “in your face” so you can see the game better. But now with the solid black boxes all over the screen it’s horrific! It’s truly a shame when a game company loses its own vision for their game. 😟
    Edited by Elvenheart on May 13, 2025 4:03PM
  • icapital
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    I would be interested to see what the Group UI looks like now, because that was definitely unfinished before.

    Nope, still looks unfinished.
    k7a6ba1800s2.png

    This... isn't the final version of the Group UI, right?

    Also I can't help but notice that the vignette is still there, and it's still the same "ye olde blotchy parchment" look as the Live UI. So there's another point for "something that doesn't match anymore."

    @ZOS_Kevin when are we getting an update about the UI in PTS being shared here?
    Edited by icapital on May 13, 2025 11:01PM
  • Maxxermax
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    Funny Thing in the PTS Patch Notes v11.0.4
    ZOS_Kevin wrote: »
    One major thing to note: changes to the animation system to reduce memory usage have been reverted for update 46. These need more testing and refinement. We are taking the feedback made during this test cycle to continue improvements.
    What feedback? They didn't open an offical forum feedback for that. At least I haven't found any.
    It was mentioned here once and I opened an in-game ticket, like probably many other players.
  • ghastley
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    A UI needs to provide consistent clues to the user about what an item within it does. It appeared at first that they intended to make all the dialogs, where the user could make inputs, distinct from displays, where there was only an output. Hard edges on dialogs, soft on displays would have worked well.

    Instead we have areas with half hard edges, and half soft, that are dialogs, like the log-in one, and the display for the companion or group member got hard edges.

    A change to health bars was inevitable, as the number of things it was being asked to convey was increasing, and the overlays on the rounded effect were getting lost. However, a flat shade reduces its 'visual importance' and the player's eye goes elsewhere. Perhaps adding the extras outside the box would have allowed the content to keep working.

    In general, the UI does still let you know what you can and can't click on, and gives appropriate feedback to confirm your actions. Some modernizing attempts have lost that in other software. The worst offenders have buttons without edges, that you can't tell if you pressed them. At least that hasn't happened here (yet?)
  • Maxxermax
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    Well, developers, what style do you want now?
    The attribute bars are all mixed up in style.
    (This screenshots were taken from the PTS server)
    qqocu4oacifp.png
    adru91adcthh.png
    y5qnx4p8dyow.png
    b1nyk2ppsdyb.png

    The companion bar can't even "decide" which style it should show now.
    f7bl61xixx23.png
    siaxbzqqq74s.png
    c4me9i0b7a55.png

    (^^ This screenshots were taken from the PTS server)

    For comparison, here is the live version.
    77dt5v912nux.png
    Edited by Maxxermax on May 15, 2025 11:41PM
  • Syldras
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    Maxxermax wrote: »
    Well, developers, what style do you want now?
    The attribute bars are all mixed up in style.
    (This screenshots were taken from the PTS server)

    Looks like huge chaos. When is this supposed to go live? In roughly 2 weeks?
    @Syldras | PC | EU
    The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
    Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
    Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
    Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
    Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake
  • Ragnarok0130
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    Can anyone recommend a good UI addon?

    I used Bandit's UI for trials, but warning it's more modern looking so if you want a thematic Elder Scrolls UI it probably won't do the trick for you.
  • tomofhyrule
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    Syldras wrote: »
    Maxxermax wrote: »
    Well, developers, what style do you want now?
    The attribute bars are all mixed up in style.
    (This screenshots were taken from the PTS server)

    Looks like huge chaos. When is this supposed to go live? In roughly 2 weeks?

    June 2.

    I'm disappointed that ZOS still hasn't seen fit to give us a hint as to why this was a necessary change beyond "we're making the UI modern." Everything we've seen so far in this thread is also highlighting that is was 1) lazily and 2) inconsistently done, and the feedback has been nearly unanimously negative.

    But obviously it's that we, the PTS testers, are wrong. And when this releases in two weeks, we'll see that the general populace will adore the new modern look for this medieval-ish fantasy game. I'm sure that's precisely how this will go.
  • xylena_lazarow
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    With the advent of subclassing, it would be really cool if the item cards you link could say what class the skill originally came from, it's pretty easy to confuse something like DK's Hardened Armor with Sorc's Hardened Ward.

    9wk2ptxtp9rr.png
    PC/NA || Cyro/BGs || RIP ground oils
  • Elsonso
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    Syldras wrote: »
    Maxxermax wrote: »
    Well, developers, what style do you want now?
    The attribute bars are all mixed up in style.
    (This screenshots were taken from the PTS server)

    Looks like huge chaos. When is this supposed to go live? In roughly 2 weeks?

    I hope it never goes live. I was checking it out yesterday and the best word to describe it cannot be used in polite company. :smile:

    The current console UI and the PC UI both look better, more refined, and more professional, than what they are showing on PTS.

    I have nothing nice at all to say about it.
    XBox EU/NA:@ElsonsoJannus
    PC NA/EU: @Elsonso
    PSN NA/EU: @ElsonsoJannus
    Total in-game hours: 10992
    X/Twitter: ElsonsoJannus
  • Pixiepumpkin
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    Maxxermax wrote: »
    Well, developers, what style do you want now?
    The attribute bars are all mixed up in style.
    (This screenshots were taken from the PTS server)
    qqocu4oacifp.png
    adru91adcthh.png
    y5qnx4p8dyow.png
    b1nyk2ppsdyb.png

    The companion bar can't even "decide" which style it should show now.
    f7bl61xixx23.png
    siaxbzqqq74s.png
    c4me9i0b7a55.png

    (^^ This screenshots were taken from the PTS server)

    For comparison, here is the live version.
    77dt5v912nux.png

    As someone who appreciates "flat" graphic design, I can honestly say that the live version of that health bar looks infinitely better than the modern flat version.


    This is something that has always rubbed me wrong. The ESO UI has always been to moddern. Univers 67 is too clean, too modern. The typeface should reflect the feeling of the game. ESO would be better served with a serif font than a clean modern one. Starfield should make use of Futura, Univers, etc. But not ESO.

    The UI is too clean, not enough embelishments. I have always felt the ESO UI needed to be more reflective of Tamriel, not Earth.

    And that "fix" to the boss health with the flat look....well it's heading in the wrong direction. I'd like to have a chat with the art director to find out their reasoning behind these changes, because it flies in the face of conventional graphic design.
    "Class identity isn’t just about power or efficiency. It’s about symbolic clarity, mechanical cohesion, and a shared visual and tactical language between players." - sans-culottes
  • Maxxermax
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    Have you guys seen the newest "live-action"-trailer?
    The flat design is in the endscreen. I think we can't stop it.

    k0a23xy09yuo.png
    Edited by Maxxermax on May 21, 2025 3:29PM
  • colossalvoids
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    Don't think anyone really surprised if that's going live as is. Aligns greatly with "more agile development" and "hearing the feedback" stuff.
  • Syldras
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    I hope a mod changing the design back will be developed soon and someone will post the link in this thread then. Thanks in advance!
    @Syldras | PC | EU
    The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
    Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
    Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
    Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
    Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake
  • Maxxermax
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    Syldras wrote: »
    I hope a mod changing the design back will be developed soon and someone will post the link in this thread then. Thanks in advance!

    If the old assets are not in the game files anymore that will be a hard job and also a large addon.
    Edited by Maxxermax on May 21, 2025 3:46PM
  • Renato90085
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    if i have UI addon, can i keep main now?
    i really dont like new boss health UI
  • icapital
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    Don't think anyone really surprised if that's going live as is. Aligns greatly with "more agile development" and "hearing the feedback" stuff.

    I'm not only surprised, but also incredibly disappointed if this UI goes live like what I'm seeing in these screenshots.

    Terrible.
  • Maitsukas
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    Maxxermax wrote: »
    Syldras wrote: »
    I hope a mod changing the design back will be developed soon and someone will post the link in this thread then. Thanks in advance!

    If the old assets are not in the game files anymore that will be a hard job and also a large addon.

    Assets from the LIVE version are still available until U46 launches. I personally have those backed up, but I don't have any experience in coding to whip something up.
    PC-EU @maitsukas

    Posting the Infinite Archive and Imperial City Weekly Vendor updates.

    Also trying out new Main Quests, Companions, ToT decks, Events and Styles on PTS.
  • mrreow
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    I actually like the new UI. It’s more readable and neat. The old one is messy and not really pretty either. If we want to have functional and not fancy UI then the new one is more functional. It just works

    Just look at the new skills UI, you see everything at first glance clearly and precisely. Big upgrade

    Health bars are also infinitely more readable. Previous ones almost look amateur now
    Edited by mrreow on May 22, 2025 5:48PM
  • DerAlleinTiger
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    mrreow wrote: »
    I actually like the new UI. It’s more readable and neat. The old one is messy and not really pretty either. If we want to have functional and not fancy UI then the new one is more functional. It just works

    Just look at the new skills UI, you see everything at first glance clearly and precisely. Big upgrade

    Health bars are also infinitely more readable. Previous ones almost look amateur now

    You have a right to your opinion... but I genuinely want to know how in the world you can think that more detail, more theming, more 'immersion,' more care, more just... love for what they're making somehow is 'amateur?' You can like the new flat, 'clean' (boring, I'd say), sharp-edged design, but come on. Let's not pretend like the old one doesn't have a whole lot more heart and soul in it. Anyone can make the new UI with a couple hours playing around with the shape tools in Photoshop. The old one has actual designs, textures, gradients, depth.

    You don't have to like the old one more, but can we at least not pretend that flat, soulless, basic designs are somehow less amateurish than custom textured designs? The old UI design made me think that whoever was making it actually cared about what they were creating, that it was actually one part of a larger experience. The new one? It looks like an intern halfway through a graphic design program was told to create 'a health bar for a videogame - any videogame' and did just that. Put it into almost any other game and it'd fit just as well. How is that not more amateurish, regardless of personal taste?
  • Skorro
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    This is vile, [snip] are ZOS thinking lately?? 🤮

    [edited for profanity bypass]
    Edited by ZOS_Icy on May 24, 2025 6:09PM
  • mrreow
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    You have a right to your opinion... but I genuinely want to know how in the world you can think that more detail, more theming, more 'immersion,' more care, more just... love for what they're making somehow is 'amateur?' You can like the new flat, 'clean' (boring, I'd say), sharp-edged design, but come on. Let's not pretend like the old one doesn't have a whole lot more heart and soul in it. Anyone can make the new UI with a couple hours playing around with the shape tools in Photoshop. The old one has actual designs, textures, gradients, depth.

    You don't have to like the old one more, but can we at least not pretend that flat, soulless, basic designs are somehow less amateurish than custom textured designs? The old UI design made me think that whoever was making it actually cared about what they were creating, that it was actually one part of a larger experience. The new one? It looks like an intern halfway through a graphic design program was told to create 'a health bar for a videogame - any videogame' and did just that. Put it into almost any other game and it'd fit just as well. How is that not more amateurish, regardless of personal taste?

    Anyone can do these “artistic” ink blobs that were in previous UI and added nothing of note. It was never really looking good. It was a bit more artsy but it was a bad art. Function is better than bad art if you can’t have both.
  • Syldras
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    Skorro wrote: »
    This is vile, [snip] are ZOS thinking lately?? 🤮

    Many things were simplified over the years: the dialogues, the puzzles (non-existent anymore), the characterization of npcs, now the UI...

    [edited to remove quote]
    Edited by ZOS_Icy on May 24, 2025 6:12PM
    @Syldras | PC | EU
    The forceful expression of will gives true honor to the Ancestors.
    Sarayn Andrethi, Telvanni mage (Main)
    Darvasa Andrethi, his "I'm NOT a Necromancer!" sister
    Malacar Sunavarlas, Altmer Ayleid vampire
    Soris Rethandus, a Sleeper not yet awake
  • Maxxermax
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    mrreow wrote: »
    Anyone can do these “artistic” ink blobs that were in previous UI and added nothing of note. It was never really looking good. It was a bit more artsy but it was a bad art. Function is better than bad art if you can’t have both.

    If you prefer a flat and "cleaner" design you can use the addon Bandits User Interface right now.

    I think I will use that addon instead of the new "modernized" design.

    Unfortunately, the menu windows also have a harsher look due to the hard borders, as opposed to the current smooth transitions of the window borders.
    Unfortunately, there is no add-on for this (yet).
    Edited by Maxxermax on May 24, 2025 5:43PM
  • Elsonso
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    Maxxermax wrote: »
    Have you guys seen the newest "live-action"-trailer?
    The flat design is in the endscreen. I think we can't stop it.

    No. It was unstoppable long before anyone outside of ZOS even heard about it. They have so much time and effort invested in it, by now, that it ain't going anywhere but Live.


    The version on PTS was obviously not the final version, so I expect a depressing show of new UI stuff come launch day. :neutral:
    Edited by Elsonso on May 25, 2025 11:05PM
    XBox EU/NA:@ElsonsoJannus
    PC NA/EU: @Elsonso
    PSN NA/EU: @ElsonsoJannus
    Total in-game hours: 10992
    X/Twitter: ElsonsoJannus
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