Clearer UI Design for Better Readability and Accessibility

Into shared this feedback 26 hours ago
Not Enough Votes

I’d like to suggest some improvements to the user interface (UI) that would greatly enhance readability, accessibility, and overall player experience.

One of the most important aspects of any UI is clear visual distinction. In Space Engineers 1, certain menus, indicators, and HUD elements sometimes blended together because of similar colors, shapes, or icons. This could make it difficult to quickly understand important information—especially during high-stress moments such as combat, engineering, or navigation.

To improve this in Space Engineers 2, I recommend:

  1. Distinct Colors and Shapes – Use a combination of clear shapes, outlines, and color codes to differentiate key UI elements (e.g., friendly vs hostile signals, power vs health indicators, different resource types). This ensures that players can quickly recognize and interpret information without second-guessing.
  2. Consistent Signage and Iconography – Unique icons or symbols for specific functions (power, oxygen, cargo, systems health, etc.) can reduce confusion, even when colors overlap. Clear visual language makes the UI more intuitive and reduces learning time.
  3. Color Blind / Impairment Support – Many players have some form of color vision deficiency. Without proper support, critical UI elements may become indistinguishable. Implementing color filters or accessibility settings (e.g., deuteranopia, protanopia, tritanopia modes, or high-contrast options) would make the game far more inclusive. This ensures that no player is disadvantaged in survival or combat simply due to color perception differences.

A UI designed with these principles in mind not only improves accessibility but also strengthens Space Engineers 2 as a whole, making it more welcoming to a wider community while reducing frustration for everyone.

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