A few weeks ago, CCP introduced a tool to help colorblind Capsuleers function better in New Eden. While the feature is still in beta, users are finding the system to be effective at correcting even minor color adjustment issues and problems, resulting in easier perception of the user interface.
The system comes with two auto adjustment settings to account for Deuteranopia or Tritanopia, as well as a custom adjustment to fine tune preferences to the individual Capsuleer. There is a short survey included, and the questions involved shed some light on the issues colorblind Eve players face.
Deuteranopia
Tritanopia
Custom
Recently Reddit user /u/CeleryStickBeating made a post about his experience:
For years, I have had a problem in the Overview UI picking out the highlighted next gate when routed to a destination system. The light yellow icon was not distinct enough when trying to pick out a gate when many objects were listed, even if the overview was slimmed down to nothing by gates. I found this particularly challenging while under fire, or in a dead panic run from an overwhelming force.
I gave the new colorblind pallet support a try, a few days ago, for this reason, and not to be puny, but it was eye-opening. I have been routinely tested for colorblindness many times, especially since it runs in my family, passing with flying colors each time. For that reason, I didn’t try one of the provided pallets but switched yellow off as a test. To say the least, it was a bit of dramatic change but definitely fixed my issue. Now the next highlighted gate stands out as a distinct blue-green!
As far as other impacts, the only immediate drawback is that yellow loot crates are no longer yellow and a few of the left hand HUD options are barely tinted, e.g. Autopilot active is a very light lavender. A few of the UI’s are pretty dramatic. For instance the industry UI is better than an ’70’s blacklight poster; honestly, makes me think Veld Dust huffing might make a comeback.
If you have any issues picking out items in the UI or just want an interesting day of play – give the colorblind support UI a spin. You will find it in the ESC menu on the General Setting tab – AFTER you log in a character.
EN24 reached out to him for further comment:
I suggest trying out the mode and also to answer the survey that CCP has posted at the same place the mode enable is placed in the UI. The survey was a bit telling in itself.
There is a lot of enjoyment in playing in this mode. It really gives it a funky, other world feel to the game. I’ve switched a couple of my accounts over to it and, while I do continue to run into new things that I have to re-interpret, found it pretty easy to adapt. The change in the route flagging continues to make a huge difference to me. It has put a note in my mind to really question my eye doctor the next time to check for any rare colorblindness that might not have been tested for. In addition, I already know that I have a cataract that has been advancing for years (get those yearly exams people!) so I am going to ask him about how that might be playing into this as well. My understanding it that the cataract presents itself as dimming, but maybe there is some narrowband color interaction as well. The cataract has not presented a day-to-day detectable interference for me yet, so it will be interesting to hear his thoughts on this.
As it stands, CCP can still use more feedback to make tweaks, so if you have color issues give it a try and fill out the survey. If you have used the system to correct your own issues in game, will you let us know your impressions in the comments?
