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[STILL IN DRAFT]
Introduction
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Thanks! -List Threadmaster Trifna
Summary
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The Ideas
Historical part to the garbage, easily changed Civpedia by the editor
Forget the historical stuff about units. Most people never read it and it doesn't enhance gameplay. Make it easy to generate Civpedia entries IN THE EDITOR.
Kuciwalker
Keep the historical part, help by changing Civ 3's "dreadful" editor
I really enjoy reading the stuff that is "unimportant" when you only consider gameplay issues. I understand that most people creating scenarios or mods don't do it, but I definately want all the text in the Civilopedia that comes with the game.
[...]
Now this is really simple, by adding a small feature to the editor. Namely an option for the editor to automatically make empty entries in the Civilopedia and/or to take over civilopedia entries from other related things [...]. This way if I don't want to mess with those entries, I don't have to. In fact, all the required work related to adding something into the game should be done by the editor [...]. What I would get is a feature added to the game and some empty space in the text file(s), that [one] could fill if need be.
Modo44
A "?" to click on and point at elements, fan participation
I propose that somewhere at the top of the screen there would be a litte interrogation mark to click on. If you click on it, there will be a bunch of very visible interrogation marks each place on the present screen you can get a little text explaining how it works, what it is and everything that's nice to know. This would help many, without even bringing the need of a complete tutorial (though a tutorial can always be nice, and it could use the information put with this interrogation marks system).
The best of all would be if Firaxis would do exactly as they did with fans' maps and incorporate them in patches, or even from the beta to the final version. So some information would have been brang by fans and Firaxis would chose what they bring in.
Trifna
"Hovered on" information
I also think that there should be, in the options tablet, a checkbox that when clicked, will cause the mouse button (when it's hovering over an object) to describe the object in a short description
DarkCloud
Improved file save/retrieve
Would it be too much to ask to slightly improve the file save and file retrieve dialog boxes?
I feel like I'm back in Windows 3.x with the spartan [...] file operation box.
What I would like to see is a page ripped from Microsoft's book on this. First, make the box a little bit bigger. If I'm doing some file operation, go ahead and cover most of the screen. It's not like I'm playing the game while opening/closing a game.
Second, I need to see some properties information displayed regarding my file saves. A small thumbnail of my map would be nice. Also, some information like:
-when was the file created (game started)
-date last saved
-how many civs active
-current scores/perhaps a histograph?
-whether the game is SP, MP or PBEM
Speaking of PBEM. Could a seperate interface be developed for keeping MP and PBEM games organized? I create seperate folders, but I think with minimal effort, a little nicer front end could be developed to make it easy to store, organize and launch games.
One last thing...the manual makes it a point to say that it doesn't store email addresses. This is a pretty simple thing that would help the player tremendously.
Shogun Gunner
Using the standard Windows open-file box
Why not use the standard Windows open-file box, with an extra part to display some info about the actual savegame you have selected?
Kuciwalker
Mini-map, and opening a game in one click
A mini-map thumbnail is essential.
I'd also like a way to open games with one click from the main menu.
MattH
For a printed manual
The manual should be printed, not digital! I find it much nicer to be able to paw through actual paper.
MattH
Being able to pause at any time
Be able to pause the game in the middle of anything it's doing to look at settings, etc. When it's cycling through automated or AI units. Be able to change orders in the middle. Be able to more easily observe what the AI is doing before it's finished.
Brent
Rainbow bar: simple/efficient multi-factor management
Sometimes many factors sum up to affect a single aspect (such as a city's mood with positive/negative factors, economic income/outcome...).
I propose the "raibow bar" as an interface tool.
What counts is the total bar, which is composed of each factor which has its own color. What counts is the sum of each part (with its color) of the bar forming the the whole "rainbow bar" (containing each color). When it reaches a certain line, you get unrest for example. This bar coult be on the city screen and everywhere needed.
One question is how to include the negative part (since there are positive factors, but also negative ones). Possible way: the "negative" bar just under the "positive" bar starting from the right side of the positive, the left end of it being where the line of your current situation is drawn (affecting the given aspect).
Trifna
Less imperfect city management to worry about
Let's say you've got 18 food and the city produces 3/turn and you need 20 that it grows. What if they skipped the extra turn, let the population grow immediately and put the remaining 1 food in the container?
Max Sinister
Conclusion
FILL IN
Respectfully Compiled- Trifna
Introduction
FILL IN
Thanks! -List Threadmaster Trifna
Summary
FILL IN
The Ideas
Historical part to the garbage, easily changed Civpedia by the editor
Forget the historical stuff about units. Most people never read it and it doesn't enhance gameplay. Make it easy to generate Civpedia entries IN THE EDITOR.
Kuciwalker
Keep the historical part, help by changing Civ 3's "dreadful" editor
I really enjoy reading the stuff that is "unimportant" when you only consider gameplay issues. I understand that most people creating scenarios or mods don't do it, but I definately want all the text in the Civilopedia that comes with the game.
[...]
Now this is really simple, by adding a small feature to the editor. Namely an option for the editor to automatically make empty entries in the Civilopedia and/or to take over civilopedia entries from other related things [...]. This way if I don't want to mess with those entries, I don't have to. In fact, all the required work related to adding something into the game should be done by the editor [...]. What I would get is a feature added to the game and some empty space in the text file(s), that [one] could fill if need be.
Modo44
A "?" to click on and point at elements, fan participation
I propose that somewhere at the top of the screen there would be a litte interrogation mark to click on. If you click on it, there will be a bunch of very visible interrogation marks each place on the present screen you can get a little text explaining how it works, what it is and everything that's nice to know. This would help many, without even bringing the need of a complete tutorial (though a tutorial can always be nice, and it could use the information put with this interrogation marks system).
The best of all would be if Firaxis would do exactly as they did with fans' maps and incorporate them in patches, or even from the beta to the final version. So some information would have been brang by fans and Firaxis would chose what they bring in.
Trifna
"Hovered on" information
I also think that there should be, in the options tablet, a checkbox that when clicked, will cause the mouse button (when it's hovering over an object) to describe the object in a short description
DarkCloud
Improved file save/retrieve
Would it be too much to ask to slightly improve the file save and file retrieve dialog boxes?
I feel like I'm back in Windows 3.x with the spartan [...] file operation box.
What I would like to see is a page ripped from Microsoft's book on this. First, make the box a little bit bigger. If I'm doing some file operation, go ahead and cover most of the screen. It's not like I'm playing the game while opening/closing a game.
Second, I need to see some properties information displayed regarding my file saves. A small thumbnail of my map would be nice. Also, some information like:
-when was the file created (game started)
-date last saved
-how many civs active
-current scores/perhaps a histograph?
-whether the game is SP, MP or PBEM
Speaking of PBEM. Could a seperate interface be developed for keeping MP and PBEM games organized? I create seperate folders, but I think with minimal effort, a little nicer front end could be developed to make it easy to store, organize and launch games.
One last thing...the manual makes it a point to say that it doesn't store email addresses. This is a pretty simple thing that would help the player tremendously.
Shogun Gunner
Using the standard Windows open-file box
Why not use the standard Windows open-file box, with an extra part to display some info about the actual savegame you have selected?
Kuciwalker
Mini-map, and opening a game in one click
A mini-map thumbnail is essential.
I'd also like a way to open games with one click from the main menu.
MattH
For a printed manual
The manual should be printed, not digital! I find it much nicer to be able to paw through actual paper.
MattH
Being able to pause at any time
Be able to pause the game in the middle of anything it's doing to look at settings, etc. When it's cycling through automated or AI units. Be able to change orders in the middle. Be able to more easily observe what the AI is doing before it's finished.
Brent
Rainbow bar: simple/efficient multi-factor management
Sometimes many factors sum up to affect a single aspect (such as a city's mood with positive/negative factors, economic income/outcome...).
I propose the "raibow bar" as an interface tool.
What counts is the total bar, which is composed of each factor which has its own color. What counts is the sum of each part (with its color) of the bar forming the the whole "rainbow bar" (containing each color). When it reaches a certain line, you get unrest for example. This bar coult be on the city screen and everywhere needed.
One question is how to include the negative part (since there are positive factors, but also negative ones). Possible way: the "negative" bar just under the "positive" bar starting from the right side of the positive, the left end of it being where the line of your current situation is drawn (affecting the given aspect).
Trifna
Less imperfect city management to worry about
Let's say you've got 18 food and the city produces 3/turn and you need 20 that it grows. What if they skipped the extra turn, let the population grow immediately and put the remaining 1 food in the container?
Max Sinister
Conclusion
FILL IN
Respectfully Compiled- Trifna
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