Comments on new graphics.

[Dracon]

This is how it runs on mine: http://www.strategicgaming.com/tot.gif

I can easily tell the difference, Gambler
[This message has been edited by Dracon (edited September 22, 1999).]

[yh30264]

Thanks to Dracon and Gambler for uploading the two screens they are seeing.

I have to say, that I find both of them difficult to read, though I'd say that Gambler's screen is slightly lighter.

Dracon, can you tell me what the unit is that is northeast of edgetown.

I find it difficult to believe that you think this screen is clear, and that it is easy to know what that unit is.

I think John's reply that because he has been playing ToT a long time, he doesn't find the graphics an issue, is wrong.

Why should we learn to live with blurry graphics, when we had clarity in the previous version?
John, can you tell me that the unit's colours are easy to differentiate in gambler's screen shot?

regards,

Glenn

[Dracon]

That's an archer to the left of the warrior.
I think it looks fine.

[Carolus Rex]

I agree with yh30264.

I first looked at gambler's picture and thought "yep, same horrible look as I got" (actually, it's a little better than mine). So I expected Dracon's to be a lot different (better), but it's actually worse...

Furthermore, Dracon is satisfied with that one, finds it clear and illustrative???

I'm confused...

At least this kills the theory of different versions in different continents.

Carolus

[This message has been edited by Carolus Rex (edited September 22, 1999).]

[yh30264]

Dracon.... how close do you sit to the monitor??? I think you must very close, to able to regard that as 'fine'

Joking aside, it has been a very useful exercise, because as Carolus Rex says it confirms that we've all got the same blurred graphics, but some people don't seem to mind.

(I asked 10 people to look at your screenshot, and not one person thought it was clear). None of them played civII, which means they weren't comparing it to previous civ games, which meant they had a neutral view considering the graphics.

I figure you must be so immersed in your strategies, that you don't even notice the indistinct graphics.

Myself I prefer a less painless exercise, than straining my eyes trying to work out what is moving across the screen.

The most important thing to come out of this, is hopefully that the designers of CIVIII take note at the huge controversy the 'new' graphics have caused.

If they forget about trying to dazzle us with 'improved graphics', animated sprites etc... and left the graphics at the MGE level and instead improved the gameplay (improved A1, better diplomacy and trade, more wonders, advances and units) I would be more than happy.

But I will not be buying it until I've seen a demo...

regards,

Glenn

[Dracon]

I must have better eyesight than you guys, because I can certainly tell the difference between an archer, and a warrior, a Stygian with a Buteo etc.....

[gambler]

Dracon,
the problem is NOT to distinguish between an archer and a settler, but between a Persian settler, a Babylonian settler and an Aztec settler.

But now a doubt dawned on me: if the problem of colours is system related, probably we see different things on the screenshots too.

[yh30264]

Hello Gambler,

I don't think the problem is system related, because I've seen the same problem on 3 different pcs.

I viewed the screenshots on a 4th pc, and thought both were blurred, though yours was slightly lighter. However that could be because you werre playing a different game to Dracon.

However it would be interesting to know what hardware, Dracon is using.

Dracon, could you enlighten us.

regards,

Glenn

[Dracon]

I'm running it with a Dell Trinitron monitor, 1024 by 768 resolution, true colour(24 bit) I don't know if I have any 3d acceleration, if I do, it came with the computer package.

[John Possidente]

Except for the Roman unit that was partially covered by the word "Kaupang", I didn't have any trouble identifying everything--but again, I've been looking at the units' overhead keys for months longer than most people. I don't mean to suggest that the problem will go away with exposure, only that, as nearly everyone seems to agree, some folks have a problem with it and some don't.

Frankly, I think that we did pretty well, but if we had done things perfectly (a tall order), there wouldn't be this sort of debate. No one would find the graphics blurry or unclear enough to complain about. I can't undo what's done, but we can learn a lesson for future games.

[My Wife Hates CIV]

maybe 'they suck' was a little harsh. i do think the programming is very good. the graphics are smooth and flicker free. i just wish the civ ii graphics could have been included (or at least an option like the city screen). there was nothing wrong with the old graphics - adding the new graphics added nothing to the game, at least IMHO.

[gambler]

Just a final question for John and Dracon:
According to you, is the colour in the small square of units' health bars the same of their city name and of the number of citizen of their city?
I'm asking that to you because for me these colours are complitely different, one is bright and clear, the other is very dark.
And another note: last night I played Scifi scenario for the first time, and things seem to be a bit better, probably because the unit's uniforms have a larger coloured area.

[tatterdemalion]

Folks,

Another possibility to consider is that Dracon is being deliberately difficult.

Probably John's nephew or something....

The first screen shot was exactly how I remembered the game, just before I took it back and got a refund. Oh, well atleast Mech Warrior 3 is a pretty good game. (Although, yo should read some of the complaints on their forums.)

I agree that the MP should provide an easy way to transfer back to the CIV2 graphics.



------------------
"...Democracy is the worst system there is, except all the other ones"

Winston Churchill

[tatterdemalion]

Folks,

Another possibility to consider is that Dracon is being deliberately difficult.

Probably John's nephew or something....

The first screen shot was exactly how I remembered the game, just before I took it back and got a refund. Oh, well atleast Mech Warrior 3 is a pretty good game. (Although, you should read some of the complaints on their forums.)

I agree that the MP should provide an easy way to transfer back to the CIV2 graphics.



------------------
"...Democracy is the worst system there is, except all the other ones"

Winston Churchill

[Dracon]

I'm Australian, not American, thankyou!
And I'm NOT being deliberately difficult, because I'm having NO problems telling the difference between units, and I'm playing on a good resolution, so things don't look grainy and blurry.