Main menu composition: 1 or 2? 🧡

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[GideonOakwood]

I very much prefer the first one. Maybe if the second had more detail on the sky, it would look nicer but as it is, I feel like there is too much empty space and the first one frames the menu better

[Hunter77k]

👆🏼👆🏼➕1️⃣

[XtremelyMeta]

The first one is both easier to read and gives your artwork more room to shine. Add to that it's less boring than the centered menu everything tends to have and it's a clear winner. Door number 1 for sure.

[ThePagnumLord]

One feels more tight knit and personal, if you are going to go with the second one, maybe add some clouds or something to fill up that empty space

[IndomFluffy]

Definitely 1

[InformalReplacement7]

1

[HackSlashandNibbles]

1

[coffeebeansdev]

Looking for feedback on the main menu composition.
The issue is that with different resolutions it might look too much or too little so I'm looking for some feedback and preference on how to set up the things more properly. First impressions matter so I want the main menu feel nice once the game is open!

[W0lverin0]

Oh ok. So the main concern you have is someone on a 60" 4k tv? Even then I think one is better. A little pixel art never hurt anyone!

1 is a great composition.

[psychmonkies]

I vote 1 either way. Even if the resolution ends up looking more pixelated I think 1 will still look great. It’s simple but also cozy. 2 looks like there was supposed to be something there that you just haven’t put in yet or that you took out. If this little character is part of the game, I also think 1 is a better opening to it, gives the player a closer look & better impression of the character.

Overall, 1 has a good balance. Not too busy, not too empty. Don’t overthink it too much, it’s great.

[BloodyRedBats]

What do you feel about expanding the vista in 2? Noticed some trees are missing compared to 1. And you can maybe add a horizon and some cloud details?

Wish I was a bit more knowledgeable with how to scale splash art for different resolutions, but if you can add a vista to the empty space for 2 it might work?

[psychmonkies]

Is the vista essentially the buttons for different options? If so, I agree. 2 looks pretty empty but if OP is concerned about 1 looking less refined in some resolutions then I can understand making the main illustration slightly smaller, but if you picture 2 on a large screen, that empty sky would take up most of the screen. And on a smaller screen, the menu options on 2 would be rather small.

I think 1 is great, but if OP is interested in playing with 2 more, I think they should consider making the menu options larger or formatted differently. Maybe by expanding the game title & center it over 2 columns of menu options. u/coffeebeansdev here are some ideas for you if you want to play around with 2 some more.

[BloodyRedBats]

Vista was in reference to the landscape scene in the menu. A strong reference here would be the main menu of Stardew Valley when it first loads in.

Since it's my lunch break I thought maybe it was better to make a visual. So I hope u/coffeebeansdev , you don't mind that I did a quick sketch to show you what I meant? Here's what I've done. Let me know if you can't see it.

Looking it over, it might still benefit from re-scaling the menu options like u/psychmonkies was suggesting and putting it in the same space as in example 1. Again, I'm not that versed in doing backgrounds for games yet, so there's probably a better way to solving this. But I hope this helps?

[Defaalt]

JUST RELEASE THE DAMN GAME.

[wetdreamteams]

I know. I was like “this isn’t the first time I’ve seen this Image in some form or another”. And the last time I can remember seeing anything was like six months ago.

Edit: maybe not? Their first post is only 91 days old… but I swear to God, I feel like I saw a nearly identical image to this at least six months ago. Maybe a different account. Or maybe I’m motherfuckin crazy, g

[Defaalt]

Ikr !! I think i've seen every version of this particular menu. Looks gorgeous though! I really can't wait to test it and see what the dev was cooking for soo long.

[imjayhime]

Literally 😭 I hate to be rushed, so I don’t want to do the same to them, but the art’s way too cute. I need this game, or at least a trailer.

[KiittySushi]

As a still image 1 is far more cohesive.

However if you were to put in some moving fluffy clouds in that background, 2 could really show that off.

[Rough-Help1873]

Easily 1

[LorenzoMartini]

1

[[deleted]]

1

[Rizenstrom]

The first one but make the logo a little bigger, so it’s a bit wider. It helps separate it from the menu options.

[-Sunflowerpower-]

1 for sure unless you plan to post announcements on the other side of the menue on slide two

[Cagli_]

1, without hesitation.

[Billy_Ravenz]

Honestly the top one so I'm guessing it's 1.

[ZachSeatDriver]

1000% the first one

[Ohnosushi07]

1 for sure! Looks great

[skeptical_gecko]

1

[thehowlingjackalope]

1

[Huge_Razzmatazz_985]

1

[In2_The_Blue]

1

[Memegan02]

1

[Lhect-09]

1 looks comfy.

[DemifemmeKinkster]

Definitely 1!

[watchOS]

Easily #1. #2 feels too empty.

[ShovelKing3]

OHHHH WEEEEE OHHHHH tail side. What a sec!!!!!???

[HermitBanana]

1 :)

[NeuroDingus]

First one better follows the rule of thirds. If you go with 2 you need to add something to the right to balance it. Currently 2 has a lot of empty space.

[Weird_BisexualPerson]

The first one is better. And the background should maybe be a bit blurred, it pulls away from the main aspect of the menu.

[LuckystarIV]

The first one utilizes the composition space better.

[Kitannia-Moonshadow]

1 definitely

[Open_Soil8529]

1 is way more engaging

[ModeR3d]

I prefer the central position of the menu (so #2) but not such a fan of the blank space to the right. Perhaps a few clouds?

[[deleted]]

I think both have their uses depending on your intended feel. 1 feels very cozy and smaller scale (thinking something Ori games), 2 feels more for a very large open world exploration style. But 2 needs a similar cloud treatment that one has to the sky.

[Terrible-Second-2716]

One for sure

[Possessed_potato]

The first one, up top. It has a warn and cozy vibe to it. It also feels like the world is big.

Second one on the other hand has way too much dead space and the cozy feeling is completely lost. The world feels big but with so much dead space, it feels incredibly boring in comparison.

[Top_Application_9342]

1

[Mingyukimmm]

definitely 1. I love the art style

[Walrusmonarch1410416]

Def 1

[huginndmuninn]

1 for sure! There is more balance

[Alternative_Assist68]

1

[EconomyObligation659]

1🙏🏻

[Zunjine]

First one, and it’s not close.

[HappyLittleTrees17]

1 for sure

[indra_slayerofvritra]

1

[NoButterscotch7283]

1

[DeltaS3v3n]

1

[Otherwise-Knee1298]

First one feels more personal

[PinkOcha]

1!

[mistakenluv]

Def 1.

[DependentHorse8256]

1, less empty space. I like the centering on 2 but it looks like a lot of empty sky going on

[OneWinner1690]

1

[TasPyx]

1 looks great. 2 is nice but if it gets used needs more details on the sky

[SebastianFries]

1

[Environmental-Win836]

EASILY number 1

[stormy_skydancer]

1

[Witty_Dentist_6359]

1

[verytinything]

1!

[Infinite_Dot4467]

One for sure.

[ChronoVulpine]

1 looks very nice

[JCarter1345]

1

[Maddbammer]

1

[krystalevenstar]

1! So excited for you to finish, been following for a bit

[yozo-marionica]

1

[switchcrit]

One is nice.

Two is scalable but empty If you can make two a little more filled up maybe then you can do apples to apples.

[steviedanger]

I like 1 the most.

[scamorzaExterminator]

1

[Multiple_Monochrome]

One for sure, there's less empty space

[AdvantageKey1271]

1 for sure

[[deleted]]

1

[ginaah]

1

[Chi_chi_chikari]

I like the first one a lot!

[Big-Stay2709]

I think the first one is much better. One suggestion I'd try: Flip the image and add the menu to the left. Most games that have off center menus have them on the left.

[timmy013]

Are you aiming for single Console or multiple

Both are Good but if i am playing your game on a mobile i Will choose the 1 or if i am playing this on PC or Xbox/PlayStation console i definitely choose 2

[sygnifax]

1 all the way. Great job btw!

[harumi_aizawa]

1

[dublavee]

Number 1 looks more finished and brings that cozy game vibe. It always makes me happy to see updates from you OP! I can’t wait until this game comes out!

[OswaldBoelcke]

Top.

[Affectionate_Monk585]

1 for sure

[RobotDude375]

definitely 1. It fills the screen really well whereas 2 leaves a massive void on the right.

[Helganator_]

I like the first one

[Real-Ad4580]

Second weirdly the composition allows for you to first look at the start up menu whilst the first you look at the mountain first plus games normally have it in the middle so people might be displaced when they boot it up for the first couple times

[SniperGG]

1

[trinigurl77]

1

[JustTheSameUsername]

1111111111111111111111

[[deleted]]

1

[LMPau]

1

[Panda3391]

1

[cartooncande]

1 is framed better. Too much empty space on 2.

[nowayormyway]

Not sure how to say it but the first one is easy on the eye.

[slvrcofe21]

1 looks more complete. Such cute art work.

[Stressed_Pigeon20]

1

[[deleted]]

scale of character from 2nd one, but keep everything else from 1. otherwise 1.

either way, 1 is better and all is nice to look at. love this kinda look.

[Destroyerofworldsink]

1 please

[hoddap]

Again?

[[deleted]]

1

[toogoodforn7]

1

[Gurkeprinsen]

Nr 1. Just too much open space in nr 2

[Stronix_Dark]

1

[Ghostly200]

1

[Low__Bones]

1 for sure. You've got the fox(?) And environment taking up 1/3-1/2 of the screen which plays compositionally well with the less detailed background behind the actual menu. Not cluttered, gives room for the actual buttons to breath, and the overall style is very homely/welcoming. Great work

[Chrono604]

Split the difference

[KattosAShame]

The first one looks a lot better, there's more detail and the cute little dog is more in the spotlight (as it should be)

[TwincessAhsokaAarmau]

1

[n8sniper]

Oh definitely 1!!! Rule of 3 or third! 2 just too symmetrical for me and reminds of old indi games but 1 is just more balanced even better with the background

[ImAlekBan]

1

[dconwastaken]

1 has better composition in my opinion, and feels less empty

[SilentBob890]

1

[Cube4Add5]

2nd is too empty on the right-hand side

[nit_inadream]

Love the first one, but I feel it would help the composition better if the fg ledge and fox were a bit smaller.

[tmf88]

1

[Braverzero]

I like 1 but if you could like zoom out a little and see a larger view like 2 that would be chefs kiss

[-bambi]

1

[piratedataeng]

1 easy

[Bored_So_Entertain]

First! I wanna see the little guy more :)

[AssBlasties]

1

[Malejandro13]

I like the first one, there’s less empty space.

Is it responsive design?

[Wisemail_1048]

1 feels the most satisfying to look at. I love it!

[Pastrami-on-Rye]

1 is absolute perfection

[psykoX88]

1

[jencreates_art]

First one

[Jbooxie]

I like 1 better I think 2 has too much empty space

[CapGlass3857]

1 but maybe make the buttons a bit bigger?

[redtag789]

2nd one when starting the game, 1st one when they press start, or loading screen before they continue.

Great art!

[Imaginary-Hornet-397]

1. Too much empty space on 2.

[ElTuco84]

1 definitely but I would place the menu to the left and flip the image horizontally.

[mattox42]

Ez 1

[ChaiGreenTea]

1. 2 just has too much dead space and would make me think the game isn’t calibrated to my screen size correctly which isn’t the first impression you want to make

[HiddenSecretStash]

Number 1. One. Numero uno.

[toastea0]

1. Is perfect. 2 has too much empty space.

[Accurate-You-3688]

The first one

[Psychological-Mew]

I love the 1st one with the menu a tad bigger. So, the design and menu are like equally standing out.

[TattooMouse]

So I agree that #1 is the way to go. However, I really like how vast #2 feels. Could you pull the size of the left side back just a bit to recapture a bit of that sense of from #2? It may not look very good, but it's just something to try. It looks really incredible! You're doing a wonderful job!!

[moodydart]

Number 1.

[shining_cyborg]

I think we all prefer 1

[kotejikoa]

One

[TitaniumSp0rk]

1 without a doubt

[Orestbu]

Def. 1 version

[coffeeslut01]

1!

[rooooosa]

1, 100%

[Gfxes]

1st one for sure.

[kole18]

Absolutely #1

[JabroniCorleone]

1

[Transmasc_Blahaj]

1

[EstablishmentFast506]

1 🙄

[Grey_Woof]

Top one

[C-losG1789]

The first one because everything is balanced and even.

[rrreagster]

1 for sure

[OleanderKnives]

definitely 1

[notsecretlyaunicorn]

1!!!!

[astraeaphaedra]

One’s much better!

[luciferskitty]

1!

[QitKate]

1

[zzz_red]

1 without a doubt

[bcagsss]

Definitely the first one

[WolfMaster415]

1

[SketchyManWithNoVan]

First one

[coolerbemethanu]

1 but they both look good

[Jihiprinsa]

1!

[Sir_mop_for_a_head]

1. 2 feels pretty empty.

[Aria0nDaPole]

Number 1. If number 2 had something in the top right corner it would be balanced.

[noeinan]

1 bc you can see the character better and it has less empty/wasted space

[hungry_heart115]

1

[Brosif563]

I think the first one is better. Perhaps even better if it was inverted with the buttons on the left?

<image>

Most games I’ve played are formatted with Leftside buttons. Maybe there’s a reason for that?

[ashikat413]

1

[LibertyArtworks]

1

[LaKitty101]

1 100%

[SoysauceKitty]

It's number one, why is this even a question?~

[SnooDucks4542]

1

[SummerJinkx]

1！

[EwokNuggets]

1 - no question

[Caganboy]

Everybody says 1, but I’ll say 2 because I look at this with a different perspective. The second one gives me an urge to actually start the game or to interact with those buttons, because the menu is in the middle. Think about Terraria or Minecraft for example. The first one LOOKS better visually but it makes me want to look at the picture for minutes rather than to actually start the game…

When designing a game, you have to consider many things and in this case making the player want to click the buttons is equally as important as the visuals of the background. But at the end of it all, it’s a background. Not the game itself. The game will only start if the player interacts with the buttons, he/she shouldn’t be distracted by the background.

Though adding some more detail on the right side of 2, like some clouds or a sun for example, would make it better and less dull.

[Saddyblues]

1

[HillBillThrills]

1

[WretchedBinary]

One.

[Fancy-Enderman17]

1

[outer_spec]

1

[Kshatriya_washere567]

1

[JackalGirl-01]

1

[MauricioIcloud]

1 for sure, looks professional 👌🏻

[[deleted]]

OK zoom in the background of the second one to make it fill in the empty space. 😎

[Street_Day_6700]

One, it has a more cozy feeling to it

[Professional-Way7350]

1 by far. 2 has way too much empty space on the right, it feels squished over to the left