Thumbs up for Civ 3 interface

[Hoek]

I give firaxis a big thumbs-up for the Civ 3 interface. Fortunately, it seems simple enough that it isn't a distraction from the gameplay. Often, I found the Alpha Centauri interface far too crowded and complicated. It's a positive sign that perhaps firaxis made civ 3 a bit more user-friendly.

[Dida]

wait till you've played the game. because you can never know how the interface is going to work till then. Of course, we hope it's going to be good.

[Shiva]

Well they did say they stripped the game down. Better funtion than fluff.

[JellyDonut]

I specifically heard someone from Firaxis say a while ago that Civ III gets rid of a lot of the dialog boxes that popped up all the time in Civ II. to that! That was one of my biggest peeves about Civ II. I'd be playing my game and think *Ooh! My cruise missile is going to be done next turn! I can't wait!* and then see all sorts of dialog boxes telling me how the Romans abandoned SETI, how the Mongols researched Advanced Flight, then how the Indians started the Manhattan Project, then how Cleopatra wanted to see me, then how my population is 150 million, then.......

[dainbramaged13]

I STILL havent figured anything about the SMAC interface from demo and ive played it 5 times now

[java4me]

The Civ3 interface is very well designed, I agree with you!!!

[Sarxis]

I am impressed with the interface too

At least what I have seen of it in the preview screenshots and vids.

SMAX had the option to turn off all of the pop-up boxes, which was great since I never used them.

I am hoping that CivIII goes a step further and reorganizes the pop-up messages a more efficient way.

[Ralf]

Originally posted by JellyDonut
I specifically heard someone from Firaxis say a while ago that Civ III gets rid of a lot of the dialog boxes that popped up all the time in Civ II.

As long as they dont replace that with a CTP/CTP-2 style passive and manually clicking turn report-system. Heres what Patriqvium had to say about that, in this similar Impressed with Interface thread:
"The CTP interface seemed to be summoned from Hell itself using some wicked rituals. First of all, the turn report system was idiotical (especially in the endgame) with 50 or so many messages popping up in the left end of the screen."

The map must automatically re-center on flashing units and orderless cities, and these cities must automatically turn to city-mode (=equivalent to city-screen). The same goes if your units bump into conflicts, or your cities rioting - the map must automatically recenter. And the jump between each new orders needed, must also be done automatically. Or at least one must be able to tweak it that way with some interface-preferences.
I would be very sad if one was confronted with an endless row of manually & formally executed mouse-clicks leading to a bleeding obvious row of units & cities without orders. OK for getting rid of Civ-2 style pop-up screens - but DONT throw out the active & automatic aspects of traditional Civ-style turn-reports, in that process.

[Ralf]

Originally posted by Anunikoba
SMAX had the option to turn off all of the pop-up boxes, which was great since I never used them.

Well, I always played with them pop-ups all turned on. It never bothered me.

OK, I realize now that Civ-3 is going to be different in above respect (especially then it comes to game-feedback that doesnt need player-interaction). And I like it - its OK by me. I just hope that Firaxis dont forget us who actually enjoy playing the game step-by-step and hands-on - with exact player control, and with automatically presented player-interactive decision-requirings.

[Rasbelin]

If we can trust all those screenshots (plus the Civ III
screensaver) and what Firaxis has revealed about
the game, I think we can expect a spanking spiffy game
that rocks like hell. Yeah, baby!

*trying to imitate the attitude advisor in Civ II*

[java4me]

Originally posted by Rasbelin
If we can trust all those screenshots (plus the Civ III
screensaver) and what Firaxis has revealed about
the game, I think we can expect a spanking spiffy game
that rocks like hell. Yeah, baby!

*trying to imitate the attitude advisor in Civ II*

Yea everything is looking good!!! So this should be a great game!!!

[Jahi]

to bad it wont be in windowed mode, i kinda liked being able to play civ 2 in 1600x1200 back in 98'

[java4me]

Originally posted by Jahi
to bad it wont be in windowed mode, i kinda liked being able to play civ 2 in 1600x1200 back in 98'

Yea, but FIRAXIS always make look good no matter if it is windowed or not!!!

[Rasbelin]

Originally posted by java4me

Yea, but FIRAXIS always make look good no matter if it is windowed or not!!!

Pro-Firaxis campaign under away?

[java4me]

Originally posted by Rasbelin


Pro-Firaxis campaign under away?

LOL

You got that right!!!