Dot Matrix UIs

[Ikagura]

I hesitated between posting it there or in the general gaming forum but I wanted to broaden my subject beyond just video games using that style for their HUD and UI.

I used to nick-name it the "early 2000's mobile phone's interface" which is both reminiscent of older consoles back when pixels were large and limited (like on the NES and Gameboy) while keeping that then modern flair of the y2k era (before screens became bigger and tactile).

Some quick examples I've found to illustrate what I mean:

I could also discuss about segmented displays and Vacuum Fluorescent Displays but I'll keep focusing on this.

 

[leoflannel]

Looks cool!

 

[RageBurner]

It's so simple and so readable. A very neat aesthetic.

 

[Ikagura]

Looks cool!

It's so simple and so readable. A very neat aesthetic.

It's something that makes me nostalgic of the pre-HD era.

And yes, it's still fairly readable while looking stylish without falling into too much minimalism.

 

[Stingy Perry]

Seeing this makes me kinda nostalgic. Remember the s40 and s60 phones they implemented the graphical UI.

 

[RageBurner]

Seeing this makes me kinda nostalgic. Remember the s40 and s60 phones they implemented the graphical UI.

Back when phones could stop bullets.

 

[Ikagura]

Seeing this makes me kinda nostalgic. Remember the s40 and s60 phones they implemented the graphical UI.

These?

 

[RageBurner]

The so called "dumb phones" somewhat hearken back to this idea. They are built simple, sturdy, mostly off the grid with usability and privacy in mind.

 

[Ikagura]

The so called "dumb phones" somewhat hearken back to this idea. They are built simple, sturdy, mostly off the grid with usability and privacy in mind.

I prefer the term "feature phone" myself.

I need to find more models with that kind of display.

 

[RageBurner]

I prefer the term "feature phone" myself.

I need to find more models with that kind of display.

True, "dumb phone" sounds pretty derrogatory, even if the spirit of the term is to contrast with "smart" phones. I actually don't like the term "smart phone" either; nowadays these devices strike me as highly invasive PDAs. Phoning became almost a lesser function.

 

[Ikagura]

True, "dumb phone" sounds pretty derrogatory, even if the spirit of the term is to contrast with "smart" phones. I actually don't like the term "smart phone" either; nowadays these devices strike me as highly invasive PDAs. Phoning became almost a lesser function.

And the funny thing is how the first iPhone model was technically not a Smartphone yet and how they predated it.



on a side note I don't even care about Stellar Blade but I like the UI design being a dot matrix

Which reminded me of the overall aesthetic of No More Heroes' UI:

 

[Stingy Perry]

Those phones kinda laid the foundation of what phones are going to be. Thought the QWERTY Blackberry was outshined by touchscreen phones.

 

[RageBurner]

Those phones kinda laid the foundation of what phones are going to be. Thought the QWERTY Blackberry was outshined by touchscreen phones.

I got used to touchscreen by necessity, but I don't like typing on virtual keyboards.

 

[Cu-Neo]

I like how Suda uses something similar in his games for example some menus in No More heroes 1 forward and in some puzzles in the silver case.

 

[RageBurner]

A lesser example, but UI elements from Danganronpa are somewhat evocative of this.

 

[Ikagura]

Those phones kinda laid the foundation of what phones are going to be. Thought the QWERTY Blackberry was outshined by touchscreen phones.

The main issue is that Blackberry phones were basically made as PDA for professionals so that people won't have the "fun" part of smartphones like games or easily accessible social networks while not having the "prestige" of having an iPhone (which was a sign of wealth before everyone and their mother could get one for a fair price so that they introduced a high end variant).

I got used to touchscreen by necessity, but I don't like typing on virtual keyboards.

I largely prefer physical keyboards as well. The lack of any haptic feedback is kinda bad (aside from vibrating when touching a key).

I like how Suda uses something similar in his games for example some menus in No More heroes 1 forward and in some puzzles in the silver case.

I forgot he made The Silver Case too.

I'm wondering if he was one of the first non-indie dev to make 8-bits nostalgia themed games.


To a lesser extent 428 Shibuya Scramble also used a dot matrix looking display in the character select screen's background

 

[newageretrohippie]

True, "dumb phone" sounds pretty derrogatory, even if the spirit of the term is to contrast with "smart" phones. I actually don't like the term "smart phone" either; nowadays these devices strike me as highly invasive PDAs. Phoning became almost a lesser function.

I'm pretty sure that science could prove that smart phones induce stupidity in their users, but scientists use smart phones.

 

[Ikagura]

I'm pretty sure that science could prove that smart phones induce stupidity in their users, but scientists use smart phones.

I've always seen Smartphones as glorified PDAs and the original iPhone felt more like an iPod Touch with a phone option to me.

 

[Ikagura]

Cosmic Smash's result screen looks cool with that subway style Dot Matrix display: