New Interface System FAQ
Am I going to have to learn the game again?
No, while it may look quite different, the new interface system will have all the features that the current one does. You’ll have the opportunity to bring the content you use the most to the forefront, hide the ones you never use and even have multiple interfaces open simultaneously!
Why are you changing the interface?
The current interfaces are very rigid and don’t offer much choice for current players in how they work while also being difficult for new players to learn. We want to change that by bringing the best content into the new management interfaces and allowing you to choose what content appears on your HUD.
What if I like things the way they are?
Let us know! We’re in an ‘alpha’ stage which means the interfaces are functional but definitely not final. We’ve made this new system primarily to give players more control and a better experience, so will be listening carefully and honing the design to best fit you. The flexibility of the new system allows it to be configured to very closely match the current layout, so we’ll have several presets which mimic the current interfaces too. Once you make your choice you’ll still be able to edit and customise your interface as you see fit.
What are those buttons at the top of the screen?
They are menu buttons and form the new menu bar. This is where you can easily access the exciting Management Interfaces, which enable faster access to valuable content like the quest list and the skill advance guide. Remember that this isn’t the final interface, and some of the images used in the BTS video are using placeholder visuals which are still a work-in-progress.
What are Action Windows?
Action windows – which can be accessed via the Management Interfaces - are windows that contain content like your inventory, stats and ability books. You can drag these out of the management interfaces and onto your HUD to design your very own RuneScape interface.
How much can I customise?
All of the Action Windows (these are what you currently access from the side stones, such as your stats or worn equipment) can be moved around the screen and resized. We will provide preset layouts similar to the current game, but you can also save out two of your own favourite layouts.
Where are the Side Stones?
Part of our philosophy of customisation is that you can now create your own side stones. So you can choose all the Action Windows that you want, merge them together into one window and then tab between them (in a similar way to now if you wish), or you can customise it to whatever you are in the mood to play RuneScape in that day. Ultimately the choice is down to you.
What are those tabs on the Chat area?
Chat now has its own, independent streams that you can customise. Each one is focused on a specific type of chat, be it clan, friends or with others in the world, you can control the content that appears in each one using special filters.
Where are my Adrenaline, Health and Prayer Points?
You can find all of these in one place – on top of the action bar. We have pulled all the combat content together so you no longer need to look all over the screen. Quick prayers, summoning options and auto-retaliate can also be found here. We’re looking forward to working with you to evolve this further.
Why is the New Interface System an Alpha instead of Beta like HTML5?
We know that making improvements to parts of the game you know so well can’t be done alone. We need your support in order to make the new interface the best it can be. That’s why we’re getting it into your hands early. This way you can influence the design and development, changing it to meet the needs of the whole RuneScape community. The alpha label means this really is work in progress and you can affect that work.
That’s all for now. I’ll be back next week to show off much, much more and to answer many more questions. I’ll be on the forums too, so post your thoughts and I’ll do my best to reply.
Remember to sign up for the HTML5 Beta and the New Interface System Alpha.
Thanks,
Mod ThatJim
