Skin (computing)

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For skins in Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Skin
For other uses, see Skin (disambiguation)
Graphical control elements in Qt rendered according to three different skins: Plastik, Keramik, and Windows

In computing, a skin (also known as visual styles in Windows XP)[1] is a custom graphical appearance preset package achieved by the use of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be applied to specific computer software, operating system, and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users. As such, a skin can completely change the look and feel and navigation interface of a piece of application software or operating system.

Software that is capable of having a skin applied is referred to as being skinnable, and the process of writing or applying such a skin is known as skinning. Applying a skin changes a piece of software's look and feel—some skins merely make the program more aesthetically pleasing, but others can rearrange elements of the interface, potentially making the program easier to use.

Common skinnable applications[]

The most popular skins are for instant messaging clients, media center, and media player software, such as Trillian and Winamp, due to the association with fun that such programs try to encourage.

Standard interface[]

Some platforms support changing the standard interface, including most using the X Window System. For those that do not, programs can add the functionality, like WindowBlinds for Microsoft Windows and ShapeShifter for macOS.

Model–view–controller[]

Skinning is typically implemented with a model–view–controller architecture, which allows for a flexible structure in which the interface is independent from and indirectly linked to application functionality, so the GUI can be easily customized. This allows the user to select or design a different skin at will, and also allows for more deep changes in the position and function of the interface elements.

Pros and cons[]

The benefit of skinning in user interfaces is disputed. While some find it useful or pleasant to be able to change the appearance of software, a changed appearance can complicate technical support and training. A user interface that has been extensively customized by one person may appear completely unfamiliar to another who knows the software under a different appearance. Some usability practitioners feel that this flexibility requires interaction design expertise that users might not have.

Websites[]

Many websites are skinnable, particularly those that provide social capabilities. Some sites provide skins that make primarily cosmetic changes, while some—such as H2G2—offer skins that make major changes to page layout. As with standalone software interfaces, this is facilitated by the underlying technology of the website—XML and XSLT, for instance, facilitate major changes of layout, while CSS can easily produce different visual styles.

Video gaming[]

In video games, the term "skin" is similarly used to refer to cosmetic options for a player's character and other in-game items, which can range from different color schemes, to more elaborate designs and costumes. Skins are often awarded as unlockable content for completing specific in-game goals or milestones. Skins can sometimes include historical incarnations of the player character (such as Spider-Man, which includes unlockable skins based on Spider-Man's past comic book and film appearances),[2] as well as crossovers with other video games (such as Final Fantasy XIII-2 offering a costume based on Ezio Auditore from the Assassin's Creed franchise, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offering costume items based on other video game characters for its customizable Mii Fighter characters).[3][4] Fortnite Battle Royale has similarly featured extensive uses of licensed properties as the basis for skins, also including non-gaming properties such as comic book characters,[5][6] the National Football League,[7] and musicians.[8]

Skins are sometimes distributed as part of downloadable content, and as pre-order incentives for newly-released games. In the 2010s, skins were increasingly deemed a virtual good as part of monetization strategies, especially within free-to-play games and those otherwise treated as a service. Via microtransactions commonly known as "loot boxes", a player can earn a random selection of in-game items, which may include skins and other cosmetic items of varying rarity. While often defended as being similar in practice to booster packs for collectible card games, researchers have deemed loot boxes to be "psychologically akin to gambling",[9] and their inclusion in full-priced games have faced criticism from players for being an anti-consumer practice.[10][11] They have largely been supplanted by "battle passes", which are collections of in-game challenges and goals that unlock reward tiers over a short- or long-term period.[12]

Via the Steam platform, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Team Fortress 2 also allow players to trade these items, which has led to communities devoted to bartering them for real-world money, as well as gambling.[13][14][15][16]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Visual Styles (Windows)". MSDN. Microsoft. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  2. ^ Carter, Justin (2018-09-08). "A guide to Spider-Man PS4's many costumes, and their comic roots". Polygon. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  3. ^ Phillips, Tom (2012-04-11). "Final Fantasy 13-2 Assassin's Creed costume DLC released". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  4. ^ Lee, Julia (2019-09-04). "Sans from Undertale joins Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Mii Fighter costume". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  5. ^ Goslin, Austen (February 6, 2020). "Harley Quinn is officially coming to Fortnite". Polygon. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  6. ^ Romano, Nick (May 7, 2018). "Thanos is coming to Fortnite for epic Avengers: Infinity War crossover". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 7, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  7. ^ Hernandez, Patricia (2018-11-05). "Fortnite will start selling NFL skins this week". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  8. ^ Webster, Andrew (2020-04-20). "Travis Scott is touring inside Fortnite this week". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  9. ^ Drummond, Aaron; Sauer, James D. (June 18, 2018). "Video game loot boxes are psychologically akin to gambling". Nature Human Behaviour. 2 (8): 530–532. doi:10.1038/s41562-018-0360-1. ISSN 2397-3374.
  10. ^ Schreier, Jason (October 10, 2017). "Fall Loot Box Glut Leads To Widespread Alarm". Kotaku. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  11. ^ Machkovech, Sam (2017-09-29). "Loot boxes have reached a new low with Forza 7's "pay to earn" option". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  12. ^ Davenport, James (2018-07-05). "Battle passes are replacing loot boxes, but they're not necessarily a better deal". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  13. ^ "How Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is turning into the world's most exciting eSport". PCGamesN. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  14. ^ Bowman, Mitch (May 22, 2014). "The hidden world of Steam trading". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  15. ^ Lahti, Evan (September 17, 2015). "How $400 virtual knives saved Counter-Strike". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  16. ^ Coe, Curtis (August 14, 2013). "CS: GO Arms Deal update adds more than 100 weapon skins, supports eSports". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
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