New Login Server
 

I think with the upcoming (maybe) release of v6, Login should be revamped. I think that the news can be shrunk, to make room for other things. I would like to see a guild menu that does all the things you'd normally have to go to the website for. Maybe even a chat bar to chat with the other people on login... Not many people hang out here, but it would be kinda cool to chat with people without being on a server. Just an idea, but maybe a custom serverlist could be added, where players can add their favorite servers to the list. (The current Gold, Classic, and Hosted servers could be "stickied" to the list, and not be moveable. Throw in customization of the background and colors, and this could be very nice.
Login is the first thing players see on Graal-If the server they first login to isn't up to their taste, at least they should have a really positive image of what Graal is based on the login server. Right now, Login is bleh, and I think lots could be done to improve it.

Sounds alright to me.

The login chat room would become the most popular server ever!

:p

This would work out very nicely. I, too, believe the login needs a revamping.

If the new login integrated the forums and a new chat system WE would see an amazing boom in community activity. If they integrated gelat skill games into this new login system THEY may see a big boom in gelat sales.

Bump?
 

Isn't it possible that the PWA could assemble a team to pull this off?

If they worked long and hard, this could easily be done. Nicely explained Matt! Rep for you

PWA are basically customer support now.

i agree crono.

No PWA cares enough about Graal to do this?

I would love a new client log-in. I love my Steam dashboard. ( I leave it logged in all the time. )

I agree that a Login server redesign should happen some time in the future.

I think the website should come first though.

Code your own server-list, submit it to Stefan, ???.

PWA have no control over that kind of thing anyway, don't know why you would expect them to do it.

Cuz they are in charge of Graal and I think that they should try to help Graal. If they are unwilling to try to help Graal,(not neccessarily with this in particular, but in general) then they should be fired straightaway.

Graal login and serverlist need to stop relying so heavily on GUI's -- it's very boring to look at.

What would feel more Graal-like would be a little level (each person is alone in the level) where you walk though doorway labled "Zodiac, Unholy Nation, Era, Graal Kingdoms, etc." that take you to the server you need to be in. There could be a logo above this level, with small buttons below it with things like "Options, Forums, Install Packages, Log out", etc.

I will make a quick mockup in a few minutes

I'm pretty sure we understand what you mean.

I'm too bored not to do it.

Something along the lines of...

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/4678/loginmockup.png

The buttons in the top left would be guilds, forums, install packages, options, etc.

If people want it *shrug* sounds like way too much input to change servers though.

I like the added features such as the guilds, forums, etc. But I do not like the bottom part, I would much rather have a simple list to choose my server from. While I do agree the log in screen needs revamped, it should remain simple, as it is in fact a log in screen.

It's not about caring, it's about it not being their jobs, having the manpower, and even the rights to do such a thing.

I'd want to see something like this... https://api.heroku.com/login

Except:

1. Slap a green-theme on it.
2. Use a pleasant Graal level for the background.

I'd also like to see something different, but simple. I like the customizable serverlist idea. But perhaps that's too far. Meh, I'll think up ideas later.

I actually rather liked MattKan's idea (Please don't stone me for this!)

I mean, it'd add a sense of interactivity to the game, you could even just make a lobby where when you walk into one of those doors, you would be serverwarped to that server.

As I type this and on second thought, I'm all for it.

Actually I slightly like it if it had the chat-room idea like a login server.. few places to go into and talk to people at..

It would even show others how much they could care less if its a server or not and that they are only on to talk to friends. :]

Not only that, but it'd actually be a very extremely simple idea.

Make a level, use some tileset for login, maybe add a couple rooms to chat, Even allow all heads n such to be used, don't give it any entertainment value or anything, just allow it to let people who try the game to browse all that there is to offer, maybe a spar if there really needs to be any form of entertainment and make a confirmation before going into a server (and a "Don't show this again" checkbox on said confirmation) and we'd have one hell of a nice login for the game, along with adding professionalism to boot!

Agree. +1


When it comes to server selection, I think it should be minimal interaction. Once a server is selected, you should be able to make it remember your choice and skip the list entirely next time. (The server list could be looked at again by opening it in whatever server you're on).

The one "tough issue" in my mind is how to help people choose the right server: How to provide enough information without overloading them. I think perhaps providing some screenshots and maybe even videos of servers could help this, but again, to do this while keeping it simple.


Either way, this is a fairly big design project and is definitely an important one. But not as big as the website ;).

Yes yes yes yes.

Definately a great idea.

After seeing that login I started playing around in Photoshop for fun. However I am not a designer.

I don't like the text and the level background, but besides that it's nice. Maybe try removing the outline around the login button's text?

The bevel/shadow on the text is too much.

Now think twice before stuffing me in a garbage can. *stones*

*Thinks a couple seconds*

Here's what I'm thinking:
Some people prefer a very simple login, while others feel they deserve more interaction. I like the design of Dusty/Fowlplay's login, but wouldn't it just be simple to add a "More Info" link at the bottom.

For those that get in and out of login as quick as possible this would be great, because it would not be bothersome, but for the people that require more from their login server, upon pressing the more info button... There could be a chat system, a list of all servers (upon mouseover it pops up with a short video clip or something to preview the server), I mean the list could go on. This possibly be the best option to "meet in the middle."

Whacha think? ^^

Even better, it could set your sprites, tiles and everything / download the files. Just in case you decide to go onto anther server and they kill your gui, pics1, head0, and other crap people seem to do x.x;

Yeah man, that would be killer.

About the whole "how login should be done bit".
I guess a simplistic and fat-free login interface would be cool, but I'm more open to more artistic and abstract view styled interfaces for it gives me a sense of interest towards how the developers represent their game + themselves.