Dear Developer: Is your User Interface... functional?

I'm not going after any particular developer in this article (although I could) but... I want to talk about the UI in games.

Short for User Interface... its "the means by which the user and a computer system interact, in particular the use of input devices and software." - Oxford Dictionary

For the life of me, I don't understand why some User Interfaces are so... freaking... complicated. One thing that continues to hold true for me and many... many... many many many many many people that I know, is that we don't care for complicated UI.

It goes a bit further than this though, because many things can initially be or appear to be a complicated process... until you learn them. That said, complicated UI should always come with a full blown tutorial that keeps it so simple... a child can do it (or at least the least technically savvy person in the room).

Even if i'm able to play a certain game or use a certain program and find it easier to navigate the UI, it doesn't mean that applies to everyone and it should be important to all software developers (not just game devs) because the skill levels of your customers will always vary. This is just a fact.

It drives me nuts when I can't navigate a UI and there is nothing available to truly explain what does what.

The more complicate the UI is with little to no "Step by Step Instructions" to utilize each aspect of the interface... the more likely someone will walk away from that particular software and any other software you release on the market. Even if future software is simpler or provides full instruction... you don't always get a second chance.

There are software developers who even have the nerve to sell instruction guides for their software, instead of including a simple guide. I can see if its more advanced techniques and things of that nature, but... every owner of your software should know how to use it.


Think of the results that follow an easy-to-use interface:

• Great software builds confidence in the customer.

• A customer who enjoys your software will likely recommend it to others.

• If the customer is able to utilize the software and get their full use of it, the chances of buying new software goes up (if they can afford it and find a use for the upgrade).

Just think about how crucial the UI is when it comes to utilizing the software. It can be the coolest software on earth, but if you can't use it... it's just a waste. Think about it.

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Eyeing the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet!

I don't normally recommend tablets, and I can't say that I'm recommending this tablet to everyone... but if you're an artist this may be the tablet for you (or someone looking for a good competitor to the Surface Go 2).

You know how pricey the Microsoft Surface tablets can be, not to mention iPads, so to come across a solid one at a reasonable price... I just had to present the one I've been eyeing. The reason why I'm more so being specific about who I'm presenting this to... is because a lot of artists are in the market for drawing tablets.

Having a drawing tablet that connects to your PC is great, but not all artists want to connect to a desktop and have their tablet stuck at the desk or they don't wish to drag around a laptop to draw on a connectable tablet (like I do in rare cases).

There are artists who seek a solid tablet with the ability to draw, and it may come at the cost of lacking some of the pressure sensitivity of drawing tablets that are exclusively made for artists... or in a price range to where artists were in mind via the creative design, but there are solid options that actually measure up.

That's where the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet comes into play. These tablets start at $499.99, but... the best option is only $599.99 unless you use coupon code "P11FORPROS" to save $100.00 (on either option)! So technically you can get the model with the lowest specs for $400 and the best for $500.

This is a similar price range for some of the corded tablets... but it's not just a screen that requires input from an outside source. This isn't a diss to drawing tablets, I own a few (i.e. Wacom Cintiq)... but that doesn't mean I don't want to get up and just go (wherever... whenever) with a single unit for drawing.

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G Octa-Core Processor (8x Kyro 470 CPU, up to 2.2 GHz). I would've liked to see an upgradable option for to get reach at least 3GHz, but I could like with a 2.2 GHz for my target uses.

Android 10 OS (I wonder if this will be upgradable to 12)

11.5" WQXGA (2560 x 1600) OLED, touchscreen, 350 nits display

Dolby Vision

Quad JBL speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos 

TUV Rheinland Certified (for eye comfort)

4 to 6GB uMCP soldered memory (which shouldn't have to be IMO)

128 GB Hard drive (they should totally have an upgradable SSD option)

Finger Print Scan + Facial Recognition

Bluetooth 5.0

Camera specs:

- Front: 8MP RGB + 8MP IR & RGB Fixed Focus

- Rear: 13MP Auto Focus + 5MP Fixed Focus

Wi-Fi 802.11AC (2 x 2)

Battery allegedly runs for 15 hours on a full charge

One Year Warranty

The specs you see here are under the hood of a 5.8mm/.23in thin lightweight aluminum-alloy unibody design rocking rocking a dual-tone finish + four-sided 6.9mm/.27in narrow bezel display. This delivers enough drawing space for me... as far as a portable drawing tablet goes, and that brings me to the pressure levels fellow artists were waiting to hear about.

The Lenovo Precision Pen 2 delivers 4,096 levels of pressure and tilt detection drawing (same as the Surface Pen). Bamboo Paper + Squid apps are preloaded, though I'd probably hit the appstore to get my hands on Sketchbook ASAP.

The lower to mid cost models don't include a pen or a keyboard, while the best model has both... along with the best specs. There isn't much of a stretch between the models, but... with the coupon code you're getting the best model and the bundle for $100 more.

The closest option I can compare this to would be the Surface Go 2 10.5" starting at $399.99, but... we're talking 1920 x 1280 (220 PPI) resolution on the Go 2 vs 11.5" 2560 x 1600 OLED on the P11 Pro. 

You do get an SSD on this one but for the price you only get 64GB and 4GB of RAM. Like the P11 Pro, you do not get the pen or keyboard with the cheapest model of the Surface Go 2. You don't get the Microsoft Complete Protection Plan with your surface, and plans range from $99 (2 years) to $189.00 (for 4 years).

After adding in the 2 year protection on the Surface + bumping the specs up to 8GB RAM w/ 128SSD + Surface Go Type Cover - English + Surface Pen... we're talking $788.97! So while I won't this is good or bad, right or wrong... the P11 Pro get's my attention more so because it delivers without breaking the bank. By the way, shout out to Lenovo for simply spelling out... that the Precision Pen is a compatible accessory.

Speaking of Microsoft, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet... comes equipped with Microsoft Office apps with reviewers seem to appreciate in combination with the laptop-class keyboard. So there you have it, that's why I'm eyeing this tablet... I don't want a bare minimum served up to have a product released at a lower price tag. I want a damn good deal... and think this is going to do it for me.

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Dear Developers: Work Life Balance

When it comes to your teams... they're just as human as the rest of us (unless there is something I don't know). They need time to rest, recharge, and have a life outside of the studio in order for them to come back ready to contribute their best work.

I know sometimes the development window may increase the urgency to crunch it out... and if its close to the release window, I can understand that (just to make sure that all the i's are dotted and t's crossed) but if you have the option to give your team the time to have a balanced life do so.

The games may not be pumped out as quick, which will result in money coming in at a later time... but that's not a bad thing if it means more bugs will be squashed in the process. I've mentioned this before... but a well rested team will be less likely to slack off because they're a little too tired to focus.

A game with little to no bugs will give gamers the confidence that they can jump in asap, because reviewers are going to point those bugs out whether you like it or not. Waiting to buy a bugged up game until its less buggy won't help you anyway, so taking more time to get it right... should help the company and the team.

If you're burned out, you might not be in the best mood either which can make the tension at work and home... greater. I won't point out any specific studio in this post, but... if you want to maintain top talent for your team... keep them happy. You don't have to spoil them, but make it make sense for a healthy work and life balance. A team with little to no resentment is a good thing.

You wouldn't want to lose out on the second coming of Hideo Kojima, would you?

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