about 1 month ago
Hello everyone!
Get ready - the new KARDS user interface is just around the corner! Here, we’ll go over the timeline of the release of the new UI to PC and provide an overview of what these changes entail.
The New UI will become available for all players in the latter half of March.
Prior to the full release, we will have a short test period for the new UI, starting in the beginning of March. Players on Steam will be able to access a public test branch with the new UI. We will provide specific details on how to join the public test and how to give feedback when we are closer to the actual test in early March.
From our own insight, community feedback, and the ambition to run KARDS for many years to come, we’ve seen that the KARDS user interface could be improved. In developing the mobile version of the game, we saw an opportunity to overhaul the user interface, to streamline it and improve the overall user experience. The new user interface will be available on both the PC and mobile version of the game, so players will have a consistent experience regardless of which device they are playing on. Here, we’ll give a brief overview of what you can expect with the new UI. For more details, you can refer to the dev blogs written by our Chief Creative Officer Gummi: New User Interface: Part I - KARDS Home Screen, New User Interface: Part II - Play, and New User Interface: Part III - Cards.
The KARDS home screen is changing fundamentally with the new UI. The KARDS Home Screen has a new look, allowing for increased flexibility and for us to communicate better about all the exciting things going on in and around KARDS.
The content carousel is a rotating banner on the home screen that keeps you updated on all the latest things in KARDS. This can be information about a recent expansion, decklists, guides, dev blogs, news, store offers, tournament info, etc.
The buttons on the right side will vary depending on the content we want to highlight or feature at any given time. They will mostly be reserved for shortcuts to specific events or game modes, such as Skirmishes.
On the bottom of the new UI you will find your national progress - the UI will by default show you the last main nation you progressed in, but you can also switch to a different nation. You can also access your missions here.
The Play button determines how you enter any given game mode.
Under the Play options, you’ll be able to select any of the game modes available at the time:
After picking a game mode to enter, you’ll be prompted to select a deck from your library to play with. Scroll or swipe up and down to browse your list of decks. Decks will be ordered by usage (last played, last created, etc.).
On the right hand side, you’ll see the selected deck and interact with it through the buttons provided. Customize the deck (swap card-back, HQ, board items or emotes), or hit the star button to favorite the deck, so it’ll always show up at the top of the deck list.
Below the selected deck, you’ll be able to toggle between ranked or casual mode, and, finally, hit the play button to head into the game!
The CARDS button on the main menu brings you to the new interface where you can explore your decks and collection of cards.
The layout of the deck builder has changed quite significantly. These changes are done with consideration of a lot of community feedback we’ve received throughout the years. The goal with the new deck builder is to improve accessibility, provide an improved deck overview, have a consistent and clear UI for the upcoming mobile version of the game, as well as introducing various improvements for power users (especially on desktop). The new deck builder is split into three main areas:
That covers the main points of the new UI changes. As a work in progress, there may still be some adjustments to the elements outlined above.
As previously mentioned in this blog, we will do a short test with the new UI in early March. This test will be accessible to Steam users through a public test branch. We aim to release the new UI to all PC users in the latter half of March. We’ll update you on the specifics of the test as we get closer to the test time. Keep an eye out for new dev blogs, join us on Discord and follow us on social media to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
The Frontline is a monthly podcast featuring 1939 Games developers, reviewing all the exciting things ongoing and upcoming in KARDS.
Get all the details on the new UI and how to report your feedback here.
Tune in on March 19th at 13:00 GMT to enter the stream giveaway and find out who will claim the title of KARDS Open XV Champion!
The KARDS Contributor Program (KCP) has been relaunched! Check out all the details about the new KCP here.
Get all the details on how to join the new UI test and report your feedback here.