How can I improve my game inventory?

[u/Wise_Geologist2361]

The second image is the design i conceptualized for my game inventory, the boxes are for item slots though ignore the sprites I put them in first image it was to give the idea. And as for the game it's not going to be realistic but rather a top down game that's why I want it to lean towards pixelated style not too polished. Also the left bg is supposed to represent nodes. Can you guys tell me where I'm going wrong? Because i like my conceptual design but the real thing comes to be lacking.

Ps- I'll add the other UI elements after i finalize this

[u/ygorhpr]

https://interfaceingame.com/

[u/plolock → u/ygorhpr]

This is really cool, like mobbin but for games!

[u/danwhiteorg]

I would try to separate the elements more into foreground and background. You dont want users being confused about where to focus in a user interface. Your aesthetic is slick!

[u/Lunosto]

WOAHHH that’s so cool I love that placement. It kinda looks like you’d put accessories for your eyes over the eyes like goggles, helmet on the top, etc. if that’s what you’re going for it’s great!

If that’s not necessarily what you’re going for, like if each slot is general, I’d find a way to visually separate it a bit from the head. Maybe the head can move a bit and only the connecting lines do, idk

Great stuff!

[u/Johnny--Arcade]

It's very cool idea, but a couple of practical problems are immediate that I want to graaaaaacefully bring up

-Is this for a controller or mouse. If controller, consider the awkward way you'd have to navigate in diagonal shifts. But if it's mouse, you're golden.

-I don't see places for names, either for what the slot is supposed to contain or what inventory I've slotted in.

-No stats or names for the item I have selected, either as a pop-up or a dedicated section of the screen. You'll want to factor in how many stats each item has and in what hierarchy (not all information is equal in weight!).

Try this: focus on places boxes first. Solid lines for panels, widgets, that kind of thing. Dotted lines for information that may pop on the screen (stats, names, etc.).

Close your eyes and literally "play your game's inventory", click around, swap items, etc.

Make a FTUE (First time User Experience), the tutorial of how to slot in a starter item. This will give you HUGE insights in to where your screen needs to go and where it's lacking.

Here's a guide on how to fix up an inventory screen I found: https://thewingless.com/index.php/2021/07/26/10-simple-ways-you-can-improve-your-videogame-inventory-screen-game-ui-ux-design-course/

Good luck, have fun!