Codex Eyesore

[AnklaX]

Codex Eyesore

I'm a copletionist RPGamer but can't quite turely claim to be so because of the amount of reading material in RPGs. I've no problem with reading, just that I have difficulty with reading white text on black background and posting it in forums to see if this is a common problem or a rare case.

First, I should clarify that ll the reading I mention here is from an LCD screen. Now reading black text on white background is not a problem. I can read for a long time before I need to rest my eyes a bit and all is fine. This old parchment style of the CDPR forums is even better. But after reading even a little bit of white text on black/dark background, I keep seeing the lines even when I look away and so have to rest my eyes. I could read black bext for 10 minutes and be okay but in terms of white text, after even 30 seconds of reading, my eyes go all crazy. The thing is, reading white text on dark background even feels better than reading black text but after I look away, oh boy. What this does is I can't immediately get back to playing after reading a codex in Witcher 3 or Dragon Age Inquisition which I'm pretty sure has most reading materials of all games.

Is this a rare problem? If not, RPGs should keep an option in the games like in book readers to make the games reader friendly. I hope CDPR will keep this condition in mind for their future games or even share this with other devs.

 

[GuyNwah]

White text on black is bad form, I agree with you. Sites that perpetuate this bad usage are not in touch with basic ergonomic principles. Gray or colored text on a black background is usually OK. (As long as the color is not magenta.)

There are some detractors who do not like white background (generally those who spend all day staring into a bright screen) and prefer a subdued background like this forum's parchment.

My choice is to adapt the old Windows "Desert Sand" style, but use the sand color instead of white for the background. This may not be exciting, but it's been easy on the eyes for years.

Your complaint is a valid one, and I wish more visual designers would see it your way.

 

[volsung]

That's very interesting, I never considered that. Definitely something to keep in mind specially with all these good cRPG's coming out, like Torment Tides of Numenera which should have LOTS of text.

 

[Aaden]

I actually prefer light text on a dark background. Not white on black though, admittedly - the contrast is too stark. But white or a light gray on dark gray background work very well for me. Especially with colored text highlights which are far more visible on a dark background than on a white one. Besides, white backgrounds are often too bright for my taste, especially when I have the lights dimmed.

Or to put it in more general terms: I think this is mostly a matter of personal preference and light conditions in the room. Too stark contrasts should be avoided, though, as they're straining - no matter whether the background or the text are what is bright.

 

[Mataresa]

I prefer anthracite background with a lighter grey font. It is the most pleasing and easy for my eyes. That is, why I am using dark themes for most software that enables it. But you are right. White font on black background is a bad choice.