We all know that the logbook is going to be used quite a bit in the course of the game. Strangely, there have been few posts about how it could be used or how we're going to use it other than cataloging creatures (Kashis did post something along the same lines here, though I am addressing different things). Since we'll be opening up this logbook and flipping through it a lot (all the time, if you're the exploring/discovering type), I suggest the following: - The logbook is easy to use. (Browse or Sort Feature) - You spend little time finding what you want. (Search and Advanced Search) This sounds really obvious, of course, but consider how difficult it could be to find the one creature you saw on the first planet you visited once you've logged 50 or 100 planets and all of the various plants, animals, weapons, materials, etc. That's why I think this needs more thought than simply, "Yeah, it's a logbook." If you look at the pictures that have been put up on the Media page, you can see that there is already some sorting features included. I suggest going one step further. Have multiple different starting points for browsing. One option would be to start with the discovered planets listed in order of discovery. You could then either refine the browse by clicking only forest planets, then only planets with a day/night cycle, then only planets with nonhazardous conditions (like acid rain). Another option for browsing creatures could start with a list of the types of creatures (4 legged, 2 legged, humanoid, tentacled, winged, etc.). Then you could click a category to narrow it down to 4 legged, then hoofed creatures, then horned creatures, then creatures only appearing on forest planets. A powerful browsing and sorting capability beyond simply "Search for creature name" or "Sort by color" is going to be necessary, especially when you consider the huge number of creatures and planets that it is possible to discover.
You're talking about a pokedex of some sort. That's interesting. Personally, I'd like the idea of doing a Heavy Rain type of thing where you could set up a hologram and a digital library is spawned (this idea was brought up before, I forgot when) where you can browse at your own leisure if you chose that option. There was also a discussion where a log book could be your own personal journal, (also another idea) where you catalog your own personal adventure as you fly about. All in all, this log book concept has a lot of potential, that's why it was a feature that really got my attention in a stranglehold.
Yes, that's one example of where I was going. Another good example I just thought of is on Newegg.com, where you can keep clicking options on the left side of the page to keep narrowing results. You get what you want quickly and aren't sifting through everything else for hours on end.
I would hope that each of those stats would also be sortable, so that you could, say, find the creature with the highest attack simply by clicking the attack category. Having to keep clicking in and out of creatures to gauge the power would be mind-numbingly frustrating.
When they get there, I'm sure it's going to be rather easy to navigate. In a gaming era of screens and in-your-face information tidbits, a log book should be a breeze.
seriously. I want to log EVERYTHING!!! Something that isn't required but is rewarded when delved into.
When I heard that you could log everything my heart skipped a beat. I'd open my logbook every 2 minutes, so having a pretty layout is a must.
And please, we must be able to mark specific favorite entries, as a specific planet, monster or a specific search. Planets would be very good to have as marked, since they could change with time, so you could with two buttons check out what going on there.
