DESIGN: Graphics/Interface Requests Thread

[MrBaggins]

Some screen caps of Civ2, Civ3, Ctp1 & Ctp2 might be useful for this discussion.

[Martin Gühmann]

Alternativly we could put the information on a side tab, which could be actual a modification of the city screen just placed at the side with altered dimensions and item order.

-Martin

[MrBaggins]

Not sure follow you there, Martin. Could you elucidate?

You mean putting food/time to next pop, shields/time to construct,commerce/gold/science & happiness in a side bar?

[Gilgamensch]

I find it sometimes already too much to scroll down and as the arrow-key's aren't working for the scrolling in the window (and I am lazy ) I don't wan't to scroll the sides as well............

But as you said:

We need to get someone graphically inclined looking at mock ups.

:doitnow:

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by E
... (which is all Tamerlin wants )...

I would like a debugged CtP2, ...

... we could work to make not only a better ctp2...

... a better CtP2 (improved AI and development of the original CtP2 concepts)...

... but beat the snot out of civ3

... and I am opened to a CtP2.5 of CtP3 provided it is not trying to mimick Civ3 which is still my biggest disappointment as far as computer games are concerned.

[Ekmek]

Could we make the CtP2 have a hidetask bar function like Windows has just so you can see more of the map?

I think the tabs might have to be reorganized and have links in them.

I'll try to get some screenshots in the first post. I dont have Ctp1 so I'll need those contributed.

[hexagonian]

My main issues with the civ3 interface was the lack of hyperlinks, messages were shown as the turn processed and then they disappeared, and that the cityscreen blocked out the mainmap. When purchasing, I'd like to see just what units are in the vicinity of the city. It still amazes me that Firaxis, in setting up the cityscreen, made the overview of the city on that screen static instead of scrollable and containing units as well as tile improvements.

I really liked the tabs in CTP1 because they allowed you to purchase units/buildings without leaving the screen and provided the basic info (cost and time) involved with the purchase. After a while in a game, I don't need to heavily micromanage purchases, and the CTP1 format was a good way to streamline the process.

But at the same time, I would still like the city manager screen expanded to include all four subscreens into one screen, so info could be seen as it relates to all other info concerning that city. Perhaps those screens could be stacked - 2 on the left side and 2 on the right and then the map could be centered in the middle. And then add the purchase screen at the bottom.

[J Bytheway]

Originally posted by E
Could we make the CtP2 have a hidetask bar function like Windows has just so you can see more of the map?

It already does. Try pressing '/'.

[Solver]

I may be strange, but the city screen is one of my favorite parts about Civ 3 interface. I loved the fact that I saw the happiness and distribution of my citizens, improvements and units, as well as other numerical information, immediately in one screen.

[J Bytheway]

Originally posted by hexagonian
But at the same time, I would still like the city manager screen expanded to include all four subscreens into one screen, so info could be seen as it relates to all other info concerning that city. Perhaps those screens could be stacked - 2 on the left side and 2 on the right and then the map could be centered in the middle. And then add the purchase screen at the bottom.

That's a good proposal - it means that you can still see whatever is the focus of the main map (probably the city itself) whilst the city screen is open. I get frustrated having to scroll around because a dialog I opened covered up the middle of the screen.

[MrBaggins]

I agree. I think what the CtP2 designers were aiming for, was the flexibility to have many city dialogs open at once. Which might be useful, except they seemed to cripple the city dialog in the process.

The nation manager (especially having the ability to select multiple cities, and then alter their build queues simultaneously) really dealt with the multiple city management for me. Nothing you couldn't tell from there, basically.

Here's another thought... how about being able to change worker assignments globally; select multiple cities in the nation manager, then open a dialog and alter worker assignments globally from there? Interesting?

[Ekmek]

Worker assignments? you mean PW, tile improvement or the citizens?
It does okay on the empire tab about how much PW nationally you are doing and stuff, but I'd like to see a better break down of what comes from where. Like how much PW is coming from my corporate branch, an +5 or something instead of the cog on a map would be nice.
Same with gold. how much from cities, trade routes, diplomacy etc. But it appears i have a taste for micromanaging some aspects more than others... just give me the option

[MrBaggins]

No. Worker assignments as in worker assignments.

Farmers, Scientists, Merchants and the other one who's name eludes me.

[Ekmek]

sorry I was confusing the workers with citizens/specialists. And I was dreading the Civ3 worker system which gets tedious (although I'd like a unit that would let you build in allied/enemy territory that could be captured...)

[MrBaggins]

Originally posted by E
Worker assignments? you mean PW, tile improvement or the citizens?
It does okay on the empire tab about how much PW nationally you are doing and stuff, but I'd like to see a better break down of what comes from where. Like how much PW is coming from my corporate branch, an +5 or something instead of the cog on a map would be nice.
Same with gold. how much from cities, trade routes, diplomacy etc. But it appears i have a taste for micromanaging some aspects more than others... just give me the option

I have nothing against including a dialog with a more detailed statistical breakdown, for the empire stuff. Wouldn't interfere with the game at all, unless you wanted it to, basically