Hyrogar
im not sure why the dev team needed to change the icons in the game. and why the idea of an icon was not considered in the redesign.
i am sure that it was a lot of work, done with love. and on there own, each of those illustrations are well done, even though they are much too small to be appreciated.
next to each other they destroy the calm that make up this game. looking at an inventory, much less a guild hall is impossible.
even in the weapon slot it distracts. imagine someone would redesign traffic signs like that.
i was reprimanded in-game for speaking out about it. told to come here, as to not put off newcomers. but newcomers will also be overwhelmed by this.
i can tell you from 20 years experience in interface design, icon design and programming. an icon is there to reduce the need for explanation to not overwhelm, to not distract. it also is not a piece of art to be admired along the way.
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I had similar objections during the testing, just not that nicely said. However I was told it is ok.
It is not for me - quick visual searching for an item in the inventory takes much more time because I have to focus on icons. Currently it is better for me to read item names than use icons for orientation. Icon backgrounds are not helping anymore.