I think I am not the only one has this issue.
All Paragon skill Icons look very similar, especially the chant skills.
Chant skills all have the same border and makes them all look very similar.
When I look at the skill bar of my target, I used to recognize what it is instantly (recognize the image is much faster then the name).
But Paragon skills are the exception, especially the chant skills.
And the display of skill icons has a weird delay now. I don't know why they changes the momery control and needs to reload icon images so often.
This really confused me.
All Paragon skill Icons look the similar...
ManMadeGod
Rhedd
I'd say that many of the Dervish skills suffer from the same syndrome.
"Oh, look. Yet another hooded person holding a scythe in a slightly different pose. That must be Heart of Holy Flame." >_>
I suspect it's a little late to worry about this now, though.
"Oh, look. Yet another hooded person holding a scythe in a slightly different pose. That must be Heart of Holy Flame." >_>
I suspect it's a little late to worry about this now, though.
Mercury Angel
It's a recent issue carried over from factions. It would seem that whoever heads the icon creation team has decided that skills should depict people in them. This is a common thing in games like Magic, where you use the image to depict how a spell relates to people.
However, Guild Wars skill icons are tiny, and honestly, it just makes all of the images blend together into dull monotony. There's not enough space to really effectively depict a person and associate them with the skill. Instead, you get garbage like:
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Famine
vs
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Equinox
The art isn't all that bad, no, but come on... They're just too darn similar.
And it seems like it's going to become the norm. I'm more than a bit disappointed.
---
Edit:
What I mean to say is that we're getting more pictures like this-
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Armor_of_Sanctity
and less of this-
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Sand_Shards
No, Sand Shards isn't particularly flashy or unusual, but it's distinct. It's hard to remember the subtle differences between the pictures of one full-body image of a hooded guy and another full-body image of a hooded guy. There's not enough room for serious detail, and it really detracts from the skill icons, in my opinion.
However, Guild Wars skill icons are tiny, and honestly, it just makes all of the images blend together into dull monotony. There's not enough space to really effectively depict a person and associate them with the skill. Instead, you get garbage like:
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Famine
vs
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Equinox
The art isn't all that bad, no, but come on... They're just too darn similar.
And it seems like it's going to become the norm. I'm more than a bit disappointed.
---
Edit:
What I mean to say is that we're getting more pictures like this-
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Armor_of_Sanctity
and less of this-
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Sand_Shards
No, Sand Shards isn't particularly flashy or unusual, but it's distinct. It's hard to remember the subtle differences between the pictures of one full-body image of a hooded guy and another full-body image of a hooded guy. There's not enough room for serious detail, and it really detracts from the skill icons, in my opinion.
arcanemacabre
I've always kinda thought that about pretty much all attack skills. Then again, it's kinda ok for attack skills because they're going to be similar in effect: add damage, and add subsidiary effect, for the most part. I think it's ok for skills like that to be similar.
The ones you're mentioning, they should be drastically different. They have unique effects, and are generally skills that have significant cast times so as to be interrupted - so it needs to be indentified by the icon. Famine and Equinox are prime examples, as you have mentioned, and they really should look completely different.
The ones you're mentioning, they should be drastically different. They have unique effects, and are generally skills that have significant cast times so as to be interrupted - so it needs to be indentified by the icon. Famine and Equinox are prime examples, as you have mentioned, and they really should look completely different.
Arcador
I also agree some skill icons are very similar, but I also remind thet it is a question of time to remember them - especially the tricky ones. We all know how does backfire, divertion and similar EVIL skills look :P
The Famine and Equinox thing is pesky indeed. They can at least change the color of the aura or something similar.
The Famine and Equinox thing is pesky indeed. They can at least change the color of the aura or something similar.
ManMadeGod
Agree.
And I will still say chant and shout skills have more problem.
Not only because the borders of the chants are all the same, you can't tell if the target(s) is under the effect or not. So if you missed to recognize it in time, you have no chance to know more about it.
And I will still say chant and shout skills have more problem.
Not only because the borders of the chants are all the same, you can't tell if the target(s) is under the effect or not. So if you missed to recognize it in time, you have no chance to know more about it.
Soldat
ill agree with the repetitiveness and monotomy of skill pics w/ Nightfall. I used to always know every skill on my warrior just by image. But having looked at the Nightfall warrior skills, the same problem applies...they all seem to have a person in them w/ w/e weapon they're using. Just swinging it a few degrees in a different direction.
Cybah
agree.
HolyHawk
Yeah agree; hopefully, the learning process will be easier by memorizing the animations and sound effects from the skills (I'm one of those who aren't able to play without sound working).
kimahri
Yes I fully agree.
Bale_Shadowscar
Most of the skills Necromancer skill icons in factions were just Green glowy people, and it was quite hard to tell what was what:
Oppressive Gaze, Spoil Victor, Enfeebling Touch, Soul Bind, Discord, and Taste of Pain to name a few,
I have been pleasantly suprised by some of the skill icons in Nightfall though, they definitely seem to relate to the skill more: Well of Darkness, Well of Silence and Poisoned Heart all have really cool icons.
As for Paragons, Yeah, I ahve to agree that most of them do have similar icon; just red people in fancy poses on yellow backgrounds. The chant skills are the worst: I wouldn't know Aria of Restoration from Aria of Zeal or Ballad of Restoration unlless I checked the skill description. I wouldn't be able to tell at a glance anyway.
Oppressive Gaze, Spoil Victor, Enfeebling Touch, Soul Bind, Discord, and Taste of Pain to name a few,
I have been pleasantly suprised by some of the skill icons in Nightfall though, they definitely seem to relate to the skill more: Well of Darkness, Well of Silence and Poisoned Heart all have really cool icons.
As for Paragons, Yeah, I ahve to agree that most of them do have similar icon; just red people in fancy poses on yellow backgrounds. The chant skills are the worst: I wouldn't know Aria of Restoration from Aria of Zeal or Ballad of Restoration unlless I checked the skill description. I wouldn't be able to tell at a glance anyway.
Rancour
What we need is a skill icon designing contest.
Anet should either let us, next time they come up with new skills, give us the description and name and give us all a chance to make icons for them,
or let us make new icons for some of the old skills. Atleast for the worst cases of monotony, i.e Famine vs. Equinox.
Anet should either let us, next time they come up with new skills, give us the description and name and give us all a chance to make icons for them,
or let us make new icons for some of the old skills. Atleast for the worst cases of monotony, i.e Famine vs. Equinox.
ManMadeGod
So far as I know, some skill icons had been changed actually.
Most of the changes are to make the icons more detailed, to replace the old, somewhat blurred version.
But some icons has been re-designed totally.
For example, the death magic spell - Rotting Flesh:
The old version is a rotten face.
And the current version is a green glowing hand.
Actually I think the old version looks much more powerful lol. But it's not used anymore.
This skill is not the point but I still hope they can re-design some skill icons thats are way too hard to tell from each other.
Most of the changes are to make the icons more detailed, to replace the old, somewhat blurred version.
But some icons has been re-designed totally.
For example, the death magic spell - Rotting Flesh:
The old version is a rotten face.
And the current version is a green glowing hand.
Actually I think the old version looks much more powerful lol. But it's not used anymore.
This skill is not the point but I still hope they can re-design some skill icons thats are way too hard to tell from each other.
Mercury Angel
I'd almost forgotten:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/skill/267-death-nova
Another example. We've still got the old icon stored there.
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/skill/267-death-nova
Another example. We've still got the old icon stored there.
Snowman
Its funny that Magic The gathering is mentioned here because I was thinking of something along a similar line...
When Mtg was first released the artwork was striking and distinct, vibrant in colours and clarity...
Then they released some sets of magic where most artwork was done by a particular person who felt the need to use washed up bland and blurry looking water colour type pictures.. whilst they may look good to an artist, to a young generation they look.. well.. REALLY bad and unimaginative..
I think Guildwars is going through a similar phase or they have employed the same artist, I dont know.. but regardless of the fact that they look 'similar' its indicative of the fact they look rushed, washed up, very bland and in the end... very bad looking =[
Its the only issue I have with nightfall from a visual aspect at the moment (that and the fact that we wont be getting DA)
When Mtg was first released the artwork was striking and distinct, vibrant in colours and clarity...
Then they released some sets of magic where most artwork was done by a particular person who felt the need to use washed up bland and blurry looking water colour type pictures.. whilst they may look good to an artist, to a young generation they look.. well.. REALLY bad and unimaginative..
I think Guildwars is going through a similar phase or they have employed the same artist, I dont know.. but regardless of the fact that they look 'similar' its indicative of the fact they look rushed, washed up, very bland and in the end... very bad looking =[
Its the only issue I have with nightfall from a visual aspect at the moment (that and the fact that we wont be getting DA)
Sagius Truthbarron
The ones in Spear Mastery and Motivation look alike. The other two attributes seem to be very unique.
Omega X
Complaining about skill icon art is trivial at best. There are plenty of original skill icons that look similar, and it won't be the last set to have similar skill icons either.
Just as long as you know how to read and recognize difference in patterns, you shouldn't have a problem.
Just as long as you know how to read and recognize difference in patterns, you shouldn't have a problem.
Aera Lure
Agreed. 100%. Tenfold. Skill icon clarity and differentiation is really important in PvP in particular. A number of skills are similar enough to make identification of what an enemy is casting somewhat challenging. Some of those icons though would give me pause if they were even on my own bar unless I memorized them by location. :\
My hunch is they maybe didnt hire enough artists to make multiple versions of a skill icon so that there would be a few creative looks at each one. Would give them a few interpretations to choose the best for each skill while have a range of visual styles to aid in differentiation. Would also give them some unused icons that could potentially be used for new skills in the future. I'm just speculating, but its the only way I can see something like the Aria examples happening.
I imagine they were in a hurry. Like Rotting Flesh, maybe after release some of the really really similar ones will get some extra distinction.
I agree with Mercury too: I dont need a person in the icon. It doesnt have to look cool, at least not as a primary objective. We need more like Sand Shards: it simply is what the skill is.
My hunch is they maybe didnt hire enough artists to make multiple versions of a skill icon so that there would be a few creative looks at each one. Would give them a few interpretations to choose the best for each skill while have a range of visual styles to aid in differentiation. Would also give them some unused icons that could potentially be used for new skills in the future. I'm just speculating, but its the only way I can see something like the Aria examples happening.
I imagine they were in a hurry. Like Rotting Flesh, maybe after release some of the really really similar ones will get some extra distinction.
I agree with Mercury too: I dont need a person in the icon. It doesnt have to look cool, at least not as a primary objective. We need more like Sand Shards: it simply is what the skill is.
Ghull Ka
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Bale_Shadowscar
Most of the skills Necromancer skill icons in factions were just Green glowy people...
|
Mordakai
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ghull Ka
Lmao!
|
Ghull Ka
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Mordakai
Did you make that? LOL, great work.
|
I just did a once-over of wiki looking at some of the paragon skills... crikey, it's hard to tell a lot of them apart.
EDIT: Revised for Chapter Three!!
ManMadeGod
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ghull Ka
Yeah, I made it back in July one day for another thread that talked about lame skill icons in Factions. You can imagine my delight when Bale_Shadowscar used the term "green glowy people"
I just did a once-over of wiki looking at some of the paragon skills... crikey, it's hard to tell a lot of them apart. EDIT: Revised for Chapter Three!! |
Compared to "green glowy people", these chant skill icons are much more similar and are way too hard to recognize. The main drawing inside the chant border is so small and all took from the same angle.
TheLordOfBlah
Yea, I can identify ANY skill in Prophecies instantly, factions and now nightfall ar e screwing with my head.
plz redo icons =(
EDIT: I think the reason I know proph ones is because if you look at them, there are a lot of skills that are just like a random design or symbol, all unique (example: spellbreaker). More skills like these.
plz redo icons =(
EDIT: I think the reason I know proph ones is because if you look at them, there are a lot of skills that are just like a random design or symbol, all unique (example: spellbreaker). More skills like these.
zwei2stein
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ghull Ka
...
I just did a once-over of wiki looking at some of the paragon skills... crikey, it's hard to tell a lot of them apart. ... |
Like Paragon doing YMCA:
Snowman
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by zwei2stein
One could actually make short animation with those skill icons.
Like Paragon doing YMCA: |
Surly someone at ANET must see how pathetic these skill icons are..
moko
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by zwei2stein
One could actually make short animation with those skill icons.
Like Paragon doing YMCA: |
hahahahahahahahaha XD the green people with "Oh Noes" were hilarious too :P
so yeah, imagine even more of those skills in the next chapter, heh, what will be next? >.> purple glowing people? mes beware :|
tho, tbh, im expecting more "white/black glowing people" for monks in divine favor >.> (unyielding, aura of faith, blessed aura then some blue things like divine spirit etc. its not THAT bad with those, but still, it can give you problems (not like they're used much..)
but, lets face it, NOTHING is gonna beat the heal other/heal area combo >_<
zwei2stein
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Mokone
so yeah, imagine even more of those skills in the next chapter, heh, what will be next? >.> purple glowing people? mes beware :|
|
Misa
Ohnoes! Where are the glowing blue people for monks now? XD~
Funny thread for awhile XD
Funny thread for awhile XD
Clawdius_Talonious
Arenanet, if I'm not mistaken, has asked the community to create and send in skill icons. I forget where/when I read that, I think it was shortly after the PVP preview event.
I myself can tell the difference in all those skills, and for me it's not an issue...
I keep my skill bar fairly small, and have considered making it smaller. I know my skills by their placement on the build, and not so much due to the icon. However, I do have to recognize skills cast on me quickly to determine my best course of action. I can see where people dislike some of the skill icons, but honestly I can tell the difference between those skills without much trouble. After a bit of playing Nightfall I will quickly assimilate the skill icons and recognize them and associate them with their skill as quickly as I do other skills. However, I should note that I've got excellent eyesight
I myself can tell the difference in all those skills, and for me it's not an issue...
I keep my skill bar fairly small, and have considered making it smaller. I know my skills by their placement on the build, and not so much due to the icon. However, I do have to recognize skills cast on me quickly to determine my best course of action. I can see where people dislike some of the skill icons, but honestly I can tell the difference between those skills without much trouble. After a bit of playing Nightfall I will quickly assimilate the skill icons and recognize them and associate them with their skill as quickly as I do other skills. However, I should note that I've got excellent eyesight
moko
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by zwei2stein
Like this?
|
its basically the same for all, another good one are the glyphs >.> or the bm skills, bouncing animals :/ could basically list every single attribute for every class, its the same for most :I
suppose theres no way around it..
Oven
Skill icon design competition ftw!!
Snowman
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Oven
Skill icon design competition ftw!!
|
OH NOES!
Siddious
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Oven
Skill icon design competition ftw!!
|
Ghull Ka
Lol, too much fun at work! They should totally hire me and Snowman and we'll pencil-paint all of their icons for them.
ZOMG SS LFG!
ZOMG SS LFG!
sixdartbart
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ghull Ka
Lol, too much fun at work! They should totally hire me and Snowman and we'll pencil-paint all of their icons for them.
ZOMG SS LFG! |
Cloudpiercer
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by zwei2stein
Like this?
|
Mr.Deflok
These are fantastic guys! LOLing for real!
Sereng Amaranth
Mantras anyone?
moko
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Sereng Amaranth
Mantras anyone?
|
;o
also
anyone else wanna go for more?
teal people maybe? (rit)
Poison Ivy
I do hope Anet takes a look at their pathetic work 