This weekend I've been working on a proposal of my own. Like almost all java programs the current launcher feels clunky and out of place on Mac OS X (a glossy UI is so early 00's
). So I tried to come up with some small improvements. Anyway I based the graphical elements on some great looking applications I currently use, so I can't say it's completely original.
When coming back to this thread I saw a lot of what's in my proposal has already been suggested, so feature wise it isn't all too original either. I realise antonkudin's proposal is similar, but than again, a good idea never comes alone. Anyway I still think it gives a nice image of how a good launcher for me would work and feel. I'll give it a shot and post a picture with some description on the different elements. Feel free to comment on the goods and bads, I know there's still a lot of room for improvement.
The whole window layout is flexible, which means it can be
resized to whatever size people want.
In the sidebar to the left there's the different categories with some room for expansion.
The different categories are:
- News feed. (pretty self-explanatory)
- Modpacks.
It's a tile based layout where each tile is completely customisable.
On first use there will be a default list of modpacks, so first time users aren't too lost.
More experienced users can start to customise the list, so that only those modpacks they choose to play will be listed; other modpacks can be added through the 'Add Modpack' button, which gives a list of all available modpacks or the option to insert a private modpack.
Hovering over a tile gives three buttons.
- Launch: launches the given modpack.
- Info: shows all relevant information. Like the responsible team, list of mods (with links to the official page and wiki), description (an actual informative one), version numbers (modpack & minecraft),...
- Edit: gives the ability to tweak and customise the pack. Like adding disabling mods, deleting a tile, account to use with this pack, etc.
- Maps.
Same tile based layout with a list of all available maps.
- Texturepacks.
Same as the above with the ability to add your own TP's to your personal list.
- Extra.
Features/categories the team might want to add.
- Accounts.
Gives the ability to add and set a default account.
Gives a warning when no default account is set, for first time users.
- Settings. (also pretty self-explanatory)
An extra feature which would work wonders for me would be the ability to create a custom script/application which auto-launches a modpack without the need to pass through the launcher. Like this the launcher would just be necessary to set up your modpacks and the custom script.
