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Star Wars: First Assault "Pause" Menu Design

 

Pause Menu Goals

 

Though we do not have the ability to truly “Pause” the game. We still need to create a pause menu for First Assault.

 

There pause menu is a chance to convey information pertaining to the current round, as well as the menu which players will access kit selection and game options. It is important for this menu to not obscure the game entirely, as you want the player to be able to quickly pop out of a pause menu and be back in the action.


For example, if a player is editing their kit and an enemy appears on screen, then he should be able to detect that. In order to do this many games have used an overlay which masks the background making the UI easier to read, but still allowing the player to make out shapes. Halo and Call of Duty both do this.

 

BREAKDOWN:

 

Information:

  • Level Name

  • Game Mode

  • Faction

  • Player Card (At bottom of screen)

    • Level

      • XP BAR

      • Emblem (for current faction)

    • Wallet

      • Number of Credits

    • Boost

      • Displays Currently Equipped boost along with time remaining

        • If no boost is equipped should say (No Boost)

          • Note: (may not have to be integrated into the player card, but we should show this information to the player)

 

Options:

  • Resume Game (DEFAULT)

    • Returns player to match

    • Same effect as if player presses the Start Button or the B button while on the Pause menu.

  • Select Kit

    • Allow players to select which of their kits to have equipped upon their next spawn

      • Kit 1

      • Kit 2

      • Kit 3

      • Kit 4

      • Kit 5

    • Players can only select kits, they cannot edit kits mid-match.

 

  • Controls

    • Button Layout

      • Button Layout options, player slides through a series of preset layouts (Note: Has anyone looked into this task?)

        • Layout A

        • Layout B

        • Layout C

        • Layout D

    • Stick Layout

      • Stick Layout options, player slides through a series of preset layouts (Note: Has anyone looked into this task?)

        • Layout A

        • Layout B

        • Layout C

        • Layout D

 

    • Look Sensitivity

      • Slider

        • 10 values

          • Default Value = 3(?)

    • Invert Y Axis

      • Off (Default)

      • On

    • Vibration

      • On (Default)

      • Off

    • Restore Defaults

      • Returns all values on this submenu to their default settings

 

(NOTE: When Button or Stick Layout Options are highlighted a controller graphic should be displayed on screen, with a legend outlining what button does what)

Should be Context sensitive in regards to whether or not Button Layout or Stick Layout has been highlighted (if we have a stick layout option)

 

 

SWFA_Pause_Mockup.png

Here’s What Halo Reach does:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s What CoD: Black Ops does:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Audio/Video

    • Music Volume

      • Volume Slider

        • Max = Default

    • SFX Volume

      • Volume Slider

        • Max = Default

    • Bark/Callout Volume

      • Volume Slider

        • Max = Default

    • Mute Microphone

      • Mutes Players own Microphone

        • No (Default)

        • Yes

    • Gamma Adjust

      • Gamma Slider

 

    • Restore Defaults

      • Returns all values on this submenu to their default settings



 

  • Quit Match

    • If player selects this options a prompt should be displayed reading:

      • Are you sure you want to quit this game?

        • All XP and Credit Bonuses will be forfeit.

          • NO (Default Option, should be prehighlighted)

            • If player selects No (or presses B) then they are returned to the Pause Menu

          • YES

            • If player selects YES they are returned to the Matchmaking Pre-Lobby (before having selected Start Matchmaking)

              • Same situation as if the player was disconnected from a match, only they should not get a message informing them that they have been disconnected from the client

            • Player does not receive any end of round bonuses/medals/etc.


 

      •  



 

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

Halo: Reach Multiplayer Pause Menu

 

Information:

  • Map Name

    • Map Thumbnail

  • Game Mode

  • Objective Description

  • PlayerCard


 

Options:

  • Leave Game

  • Controller

    • Allows players to edit their controls

  • Audio Video

    • Allows players to edit their Audio and Video settings

  • Challenges

    • Players can view current challenges

 

Notes:

  • Game persists in the background

    • While an overlay filters out the match to make the menu easier to read the player can still be aware of his/her situation in game.

      • UI elements are kept out of the center of the screen when possible, for this reason.

 

 

 

CoD: Black Ops Multiplayer Pause Menu

Not all options are valid for First Assault, Options which we can not get much from are in RED


 

Information:

  • Level Map

    • Displayed off to the side

  • Level Name

  • Game Mode

 

Options:

  • Choose Class

  • Options

    • Brings up game options

      • Audio

        • Music Volume

        • SFX Volume

 

  • Change Team

    • We will not be allowing players to change teams mid-match

 

  • Leave Game

 

Notes:

  • Game persists in the background

    • While an overlay filters out the match to make the menu easier to read the player can still be aware of his/her situation in game.

      • UI elements are kept out of the center of the screen when possible, for this reason.

 

 

 

 

 

Tribes – Pause Menu

Not all options are valid for First Assault, Options which we can not get much from are in RED


 

Information:

  • Displays currently selected class/loadout

  • Displays which team the player is on

Options:

  • Choose Class (kit selection)

  • Customize Classes (edit loadout)

    • Allows players to edit their Classes (Loadouts) mid-match

      • We won’t be allowing players to do this mid-match

  • Social

    • Opens Friends options

      • We don’t have to worry about this we will bank on Xbox Live and PSN to serve as the backbone for our social infrastructure

  • Store

    • Allows players to buy items/boosts/etc. mid-match

      • We will not be having an mid-match store

  • Settings (Options)

  • Manage Servers

    • Brings up server list, allowing players to select a new server.

      • We won’t be handling server management in this way

  • Exit Match



 

 



 

TF2 – Pause Menu

Not all options are valid for First Assault, Options which we can not get much from are in RED

 

Information:

  • News

    • Player can page through news

 

Options:

  • Resume Game

    • Returns player to match

    • Also able to hit ESC to return to game

 

  • New Game

    • Starts a new game with you as the host

  • Change Server

    • Brings up server list, allowing players to select a new server.

      • We won’t be handling server management in this way

 

  • Customize Items (Edit Kits/Vanity)

    • Allows players to edit their Classes (Loadouts) mid-match

      • We won’t be allowing players to do this mid-match

 

  • Change Class

    • This VERY IMPORTANT option is bound to the “,” key, and not an option on the main menu for some reason

  • Shop

    • Buy Items mid-match

  • Replays

    • Create Replay videos from current game

  • Workshop

    • Opens Steam Workshop Options

  • Disconnect

    • Leave Game

  • Options/Adv. Options

    • Adjust Gameplay/Network Settings

haloreach_pausemenu.png
Blackops_Pause.png
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