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How should tooltip's look?

07-07-2008, 10:47 PM#1
Guest
The most important thing when you create a map are the tool tip's. But how does a good tool tip look like? Does blizzard's tool tip look like tool tips should look like? Or should a tool tip say what it does? Like storm bolt, level 1 does 100 damage and stuns for 1 second. Or should it have a little bit of both?

I think tool tips should have a little bit of both. Blizzards tool tip lacks information on what the units i train do. And you cant have a tool tip without that little fairy tale about the spell/unit.

How do you think tool tips should look like? Are there any teamplates for tool tips?
07-08-2008, 01:14 AM#2
Anopob
It's template, but anyway, I think Blizzard's tooltips are good but not amazing. Depending on what tooltip (spells, units, upgrades, etc.) it is, it should give enough information for the user to plan on the timing like cooldown and training time.
07-08-2008, 02:07 AM#3
Castlemaster
Blizz makes all the abilities have yellow color coding. I suggest adding different color to them. Other than that, keep ability descriptions simple, and only give as much info as is needed. If you are adding flavor text, never make it more than one sentence. AoM is by far the biggest offender. Although thorough, their tooltips are just confusing, and I guess that's the only "rule".
07-08-2008, 02:18 AM#4
Switch33
Quote:
And you cant have a tool tip without that little fairy tale about the spell/unit.
I always find this part of a spell tooltip to be retarded and better off not there. People don't want to read super long stories while playing games... if they really want to read super long stories they should probably visit the nearest library.
07-08-2008, 03:23 AM#5
Ammorth
I find a good one-liner is always fun, but stick it at the end, so it doesn't affect the information.
07-08-2008, 03:48 AM#6
darkwulfv
Personally, for spells, I do this:

Spell type (Line Damage, Debuff, etc.)
Targets
Cast Range
Cooldown

Description of Spell with damage, range, duration, so on and so forth.
One line of story, if making for a hero in an AoS or RPG.
07-08-2008, 03:56 AM#7
Nuclear Arbitor
keep it one color unless there is something very important about it ppl need to see. i don't want to use it as a christmas tree decoration. adding in stuff other then the basic information need to use the spell is optional but keep it small. personally i don't really like it. it makes the tool tip bigger and i don't really care if the spell is named after an archmage. units, you might want to add some info on how they should be used if its rock paper scissors. if you really want to add story in either make it part of the map or put in quests.
07-08-2008, 11:11 AM#8
Kino
For races or factions, a good Pros and Cons list is rather useful. Since it allows you to make a point without too much reading.

For units I like to use this as a template.
Here is an example using "Seige Golem"

Quote:
Train Seige Golem

Info - Heavy melee unit that easily destroys structures.

Abilities - Siege Attack, Demolish

Attacks land and air units.

This keeps it quite simple and easy to read.
You can put in a "class" description like "Heavy Tanker" or "Seige Beast"
But that can be quite trciky if the units does multiple things or does not fit into anyhting you can describe.
07-08-2008, 05:30 PM#9
Guest
I like your spell template darkwulf.

Would this be good for units? Or is it to much information?

Hidden information:
Attack :
Attack Type :
Attack Speed :
Range :
HP/Reg :
Mana/Reg :
Movement Speed :
Ability's :

Then fairy tale :

Attacks land and air units.
07-08-2008, 06:16 PM#10
darkwulfv
Bit much. You can crunch attack and attack speed together and just make an "Average Attack Damage" (basically damage per second). You don't need Regen for HP/Mana, and I don't think Movespeed is imperative.

Otherwise, depending on what kind of game it is, that looks okay.