I was just thinking about if and how we would want to differentiate between multiple items in the top bar of the same type. For example, multiple super items, multiple drones, or multiple neurotweaks.

One idea I had was to put tiny sub-icons that represent the actions, included weapons, or tweak types. The other idea was possibly putting the initials of the item over the icon. Not sure about either of these, but maybe you guys have some comments or suggestions.

Drones, good.
Tweaks...your draft is bad, but still good idea.

Afterburner
Shield Booster/Extender
Battery Booster/Extender
Overload
Agility Pill

Etc, but tweaks be put in their own areas. No need to call two different shield regen tweaks two different things, or call an OBA and a Xmas Burner two different initials.

Either way would be difficult to perfect, however, I think initials would work better.

Only problem with either of these is how do you tell the difference in an Better burner and a Best?

Neither one looks appealing, honestly. DIfferent types of items shouldn't be stackable in the top bar.

EDIT: Misunderstood the feature. Aren't they supposed to have their names scrolling under the image?

huh?

We used to have the names scrolling underneath, but I thought it was too cluttered and didn't look that great. But, yeah, that's also another option.

Either way you do it, with initials or sub icons, you might want to stick the tech level in there as well.

So for example, an afterburner icon with T12 (or just 12) next to it for a tech 12 afterburner... or AB T12 if you use initials.

If the symbols / abbreviations only appear when it is ambiguous, that might be ok. I agree that things can get a bit cluttered up there. It shouldn't be more than really minimal information, considering that the player is the one who put it up there and he should know which one is which.

keeping things symbolic or maybe just the initials appeals most to me. The scrolling stuff was kind of annoying. Always clipped wrong and just didnt show the name in a clear/quick enough way. Abreviations perhaps for tweaks, players already use those, and damage types for drones/fighters/missles is my vote.

I like the initials idea, looks smooth enough

Or another idea is for the case of special abilities, have 2 or 3 versions of the big icon for offensive, defensive, and utility, and for NT's have 4-5 versions of it for shield, energy, attack, escape, etc. Still not sure about drones, though they could have just one sub-icon for their primary damage type.