Difference between revisions of "Status bar"

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The '''status bar''' is displayed at the bottom of the screen during gameplay and shows the [[player]]'s status (at the largest screen size the status bar is not shown). The status bar shows:
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The '''status bar''' is displayed at the bottom of the screen during gameplay and shows the [[player]]'s status. The status bar can be removed from the screen by maximising the viewport, although it is still visible in [[automap|automap mode]]. In the very first [[Doom_0.2|alpha]] version of Doom, the status bar framed the entire screen and was a visual representation of the [[Doomguy|player character's]] visor.
  
* Ammo:  The remaining [[ammo]] of the currently selected weapon
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==Doom games status bar==
* Health: The player's health.  This can range from 0-200%. If it does reach 0, the player dies.
 
* Arms:  The [[weapons]] currently possessed by the player.  These correspond to the keys pressed to activate them.
 
* Face:  The player's face. This gives an immediate indicator of health and also reacts to events such as damage to the player. Specifically, if the player is hurt, the face turns and looks in the direction of the origin of the damage; a new weapon causes the face to grin briefly, and as health falls, the face becomes more beaten and bloodied. If the player has activated <tt>iddqd</tt>, the invulnerability [[cheat code|cheat]], or picks up the invulnerabilty powerup, the face has glowing golden eyes.
 
* Armor:  The player's armor level.  This can range from 0-200% (and, in versions of Doom prior to v1.2, an arbitrarily high number).
 
* The keys possessed by the player.
 
* Remaining ammo for all ammunition types ([[Bullets]], [[Shells]], [[Rockets]] and [[Cells]]).
 
  
In [[deathmatch]] mode, the "Arms" display is replaced by a "Frags" display showing the player's current score in the game. Furthermore, the background color of the player face is changed to match the player's color.
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[[image:StatusBar.png|Status bar]]
  
[[image:StatusBar.png|Status bar]]
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In the [[Doom games]] the status bar is made of a cement-like texture overlaid with large red characters for key information, graphics for the [[Status bar face|face]] of the [[Doom's protagonist|protagonist]], and smaller yellow characters for additional information.
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 +
* '''Ammo:''' The remaining [[ammo]] of the currently selected weapon, in large red characters.
 +
* '''Health:''' The player's [[health]] in large red characters.  This can range from zero to 200 percent. If it is reduced to zero percent the player dies.
 +
* '''Arms:''' The [[weapon]]s currently possessed by the player (excepting the [[chainsaw]] and [[super shotgun]]), in small yellow characters.  These correspond to the keys pressed to activate them.
 +
* Graphics of the protagonist's face. This gives an immediate indicator of health and also reacts to events such as damage to the player. Specifically, if the player is hurt, the face turns and looks in the direction of the attack; a new weapon causes the face to grin briefly; and as health falls, the face becomes more beaten and bloodied. If the player has activated [[cheat code|<tt>iddqd</tt>]] or the invulnerability [[Doom cheat codes|cheat]], or picks up the [[invulnerability]] powerup, the face has glowing golden eyes while idle.
 +
* '''Armor:''' The current amount of [[armors|armor]]ing that protects the player, in large red characters.  This can range from zero to 200 percent (and, in [[Versions of Doom and Doom II|versions]] of Doom prior to v1.2, a much [[Armor percentage rollover|larger value]]).
 +
* Graphics of the [[keys]] obtained by the player for the current [[level]].
 +
* The remaining and maximum ammo for all four ammunition types ([[bullets]], [[shells]], [[rockets]] and [[Energy cell (Doom)|energy cells]]), in small yellow characters.
 +
* In [[deathmatch]] mode, the ''arms'' display is replaced by a ''frag'' display showing the player's current accumulated kills in large red characters. Further, the background color of the player face is changed to match the player's uniform color.
 +
* When "spy mode" is used in cooperative [[multiplayer]] games, the status bar remains that of the "spying" player.
  
 
=== Technical ===
 
=== Technical ===
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 +
[[Image:STDISK displayed in-game.png|thumb|right|<code>STDISK</code> visible at level start-up]]
  
 
The status bar code in the [[Doom source code]] is responsible not only for drawing the status bar, but also performs the [[PLAYPAL|palette]] special effects when injured or picking up items, and detects the entry of cheat codes.   
 
The status bar code in the [[Doom source code]] is responsible not only for drawing the status bar, but also performs the [[PLAYPAL|palette]] special effects when injured or picking up items, and detects the entry of cheat codes.   
  
Beta versions of Doom showed messages to the player and multiplayer chat being performed inside the status bar.  This was moved to the [[Heads-up display]]; however, the Doom source includes leftover variables relating to "status bar chat" and the message display.
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Pre-release versions of Doom showed messages to the player and multiplayer chat being performed inside the status bar.  This was moved to the [[heads-up display]]; however, the Doom source includes leftover variables relating to "status bar chat" and the message display.
  
In the [[Doom source code]], ST_* is used as a prefix for files and functions associated with the status bar.  This trend continues in the IWAD file, where graphic resources relating to the status bar begin with ST. The following resources are used for the status bar:
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In the source code, ST_* is used as a prefix for files and functions associated with the status bar.  This trend continues in the [[IWAD]] file, where graphic resources relating to the status bar begin with ST. The following resources are used for the status bar:
 +
 
 +
; <tt>STBAR</tt>:        The main status bar graphic.
 +
; <tt>STGNUM[0-9]</tt>:    Small grey numbers used for weapons not yet possessed.
 +
; <tt>STTNUM[0-9]</tt>:    Large numbers, used for ''health'', ''armor'', ''frags'', and ''ammo'' displays.
 +
; <tt>STTMINUS</tt>:  Negative symbol for large text.
 +
; <tt>STTPRCNT</tt>:    Percent symbol for large text.
 +
; <tt>STYSNUM[0-9]</tt>:  Small yellow numbers to indicate weapons possessed (also used for total ammo display).
 +
; <tt>STKEYS[0-5]</tt>:    Icons used for the key display.
 +
; <tt>STDISK</tt>:      {{wp|Floppy disk}} graphic used when accessing the disk.
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; <tt>STCDROM</tt>:      CD-ROM graphic used when accessing a CD-ROM.
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; <tt>STARMS</tt>:      The <tt>STBAR</tt> graphic includes a ''frags'' box.  This box is overwritten by the <tt>STARMS</tt> graphic containing the weapons inventory when not in deathmatch mode.
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; <tt>STFB*</tt>:        Used as backgrounds behind the face graphics in multiplayer mode.
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; <tt>STF*</tt>:        Player [[Status bar face#Technical|face graphics]].
 +
 
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=== Older versions ===
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The setup above is valid for Doom v1.2 and later. In v1.1 and earlier, the status bar is composed of the following images:
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; <tt>STMBARL</tt>:      Left part of the main status bar graphic, showing the ''ammo'' and ''health'' blocks.
 +
; <tt>STMBARR</tt>:      Right part of the main status bar graphic, showing the ''frags'' box, the mugshot, the ''armor'', keys, and global ammo blocks.
 +
; <tt>STABARL</tt>:      Left part of a status bar meant for the automap, showing the score. This is a remnant of abandoned design ideas from the pre-release versions.
 +
; <tt>STABARR</tt>:      Right part of the automap status bar, showing currently owned weapon. This too is development garbage.
 +
; <tt>STCHAT</tt>:      A large box covering the right part of the automap, used to display messages. This can be seen in the [[beta]], but was abandoned as well.
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; <tt>STWEAP0-5</tt>:    Weapon graphics, in the order [[shotgun]], [[chaingun]], [[rocket launcher]], [[plasma rifle]], [[chainsaw]], [[BFG 9000]], apparently created by shrinking the pickup sprites.
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 +
==Heretic status bar==
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* Life (or Kill in deathmatch)
 +
* Ammo
 +
* Keys
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* [[Artifact]]s' Inventory
 +
* Armor
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* Health Chain (equivalent to Doom's player [[status bar face|face]])
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 +
==Hexen status bar==
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* Life (or Kill in deathmatch)
 +
* Blue [[Mana]] (equivalent to ammo)
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* Green [[Mana]]
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* [[Artifact]]s' Inventory
 +
* Ultimate Weapon Pieces (Quietus, Wraithverge or Bloodscourge)
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* Armor Class (A.C.)
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* Health Chain
  
; STBAR:        The main status bar graphic
 
; STGNUM0-9:    Small grey numbers used for weapons not yet possessed
 
; STTNUM0-9:    Large numbers, used for Health, Armor, Frags, Ammo displays
 
; STTMINUS-9:  Negative symbol for large text
 
; STTPRCNT:    Percent symbol for large text
 
; STYSNUM0-9:  Small yellow numbers to indicate weapons possessed (also used for total ammo display)
 
; STKEYS0-5:    Icons used for the key display
 
; STDISK:      Floppy disk graphic used when accessing the disk
 
; STCDROM:      CD-ROM graphic used when accessing a CD-ROM
 
; STARMS:      The STBAR graphic includes a "Frags" box.  This graphic overwrites it with the "Arms" box when not in deathmatch.  Early versions of Doom (pre 1.2) did not include this graphic, as the status bar did not include a "frags" display.
 
; STFB*:        Used as backgrounds for the player face when in multiplayer.
 
; STF*:        Player face graphics
 
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
* [[Heads-up display]]
 
* [[Heads-up display]]
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* [[Health percentage hysteresis in sector type 11]]
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[[Category:Doom engine]]
 
[[Category:Doom engine]]
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]

Revision as of 04:07, 2 September 2015

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the screen during gameplay and shows the player's status. The status bar can be removed from the screen by maximising the viewport, although it is still visible in automap mode. In the very first alpha version of Doom, the status bar framed the entire screen and was a visual representation of the player character's visor.

Doom games status bar

Status bar

In the Doom games the status bar is made of a cement-like texture overlaid with large red characters for key information, graphics for the face of the protagonist, and smaller yellow characters for additional information.

  • Ammo: The remaining ammo of the currently selected weapon, in large red characters.
  • Health: The player's health in large red characters. This can range from zero to 200 percent. If it is reduced to zero percent the player dies.
  • Arms: The weapons currently possessed by the player (excepting the chainsaw and super shotgun), in small yellow characters. These correspond to the keys pressed to activate them.
  • Graphics of the protagonist's face. This gives an immediate indicator of health and also reacts to events such as damage to the player. Specifically, if the player is hurt, the face turns and looks in the direction of the attack; a new weapon causes the face to grin briefly; and as health falls, the face becomes more beaten and bloodied. If the player has activated iddqd or the invulnerability cheat, or picks up the invulnerability powerup, the face has glowing golden eyes while idle.
  • Armor: The current amount of armoring that protects the player, in large red characters. This can range from zero to 200 percent (and, in versions of Doom prior to v1.2, a much larger value).
  • Graphics of the keys obtained by the player for the current level.
  • The remaining and maximum ammo for all four ammunition types (bullets, shells, rockets and energy cells), in small yellow characters.
  • In deathmatch mode, the arms display is replaced by a frag display showing the player's current accumulated kills in large red characters. Further, the background color of the player face is changed to match the player's uniform color.
  • When "spy mode" is used in cooperative multiplayer games, the status bar remains that of the "spying" player.

Technical

STDISK visible at level start-up

The status bar code in the Doom source code is responsible not only for drawing the status bar, but also performs the palette special effects when injured or picking up items, and detects the entry of cheat codes.

Pre-release versions of Doom showed messages to the player and multiplayer chat being performed inside the status bar. This was moved to the heads-up display; however, the Doom source includes leftover variables relating to "status bar chat" and the message display.

In the source code, ST_* is used as a prefix for files and functions associated with the status bar. This trend continues in the IWAD file, where graphic resources relating to the status bar begin with ST. The following resources are used for the status bar:

STBAR
The main status bar graphic.
STGNUM[0-9]
Small grey numbers used for weapons not yet possessed.
STTNUM[0-9]
Large numbers, used for health, armor, frags, and ammo displays.
STTMINUS
Negative symbol for large text.
STTPRCNT
Percent symbol for large text.
STYSNUM[0-9]
Small yellow numbers to indicate weapons possessed (also used for total ammo display).
STKEYS[0-5]
Icons used for the key display.
STDISK
Floppy disk graphic used when accessing the disk.
STCDROM
CD-ROM graphic used when accessing a CD-ROM.
STARMS
The STBAR graphic includes a frags box. This box is overwritten by the STARMS graphic containing the weapons inventory when not in deathmatch mode.
STFB*
Used as backgrounds behind the face graphics in multiplayer mode.
STF*
Player face graphics.

Older versions

The setup above is valid for Doom v1.2 and later. In v1.1 and earlier, the status bar is composed of the following images:

STMBARL
Left part of the main status bar graphic, showing the ammo and health blocks.
STMBARR
Right part of the main status bar graphic, showing the frags box, the mugshot, the armor, keys, and global ammo blocks.
STABARL
Left part of a status bar meant for the automap, showing the score. This is a remnant of abandoned design ideas from the pre-release versions.
STABARR
Right part of the automap status bar, showing currently owned weapon. This too is development garbage.
STCHAT
A large box covering the right part of the automap, used to display messages. This can be seen in the beta, but was abandoned as well.
STWEAP0-5
Weapon graphics, in the order shotgun, chaingun, rocket launcher, plasma rifle, chainsaw, BFG 9000, apparently created by shrinking the pickup sprites.

Heretic status bar

  • Life (or Kill in deathmatch)
  • Ammo
  • Keys
  • Artifacts' Inventory
  • Armor
  • Health Chain (equivalent to Doom's player face)

Hexen status bar

  • Life (or Kill in deathmatch)
  • Blue Mana (equivalent to ammo)
  • Green Mana
  • Artifacts' Inventory
  • Ultimate Weapon Pieces (Quietus, Wraithverge or Bloodscourge)
  • Armor Class (A.C.)
  • Health Chain

See also