Taking your suggestions for a new UI

[Hepps]

@beelee Unfortunately there isn't really an easy way.... in the example above it was easier because Frostion had already enlarged the map for his Rome Total War.

That being said I still had to redo all the placements manually.
Redraw all the units.
Plot all the centers for the names.
Redraw all the SZ.
Replot all the PU markers.
Replot all the Capital markers.
As well as other things I'm sure I am forgetting.

So on an average map that is already done... this kind of thing is basically like starting over almost from scratch.

[prastle]

@hepps and you didn't release it to the map repo why? evil artist withholding gorgeous maps ?

k i wont mention why

[Hepps]

@prastle Well I never released it because it still has an issue with the SZs in the Aegean.

While the map is playable, the change of the 2 SZ creates an issue with the original balance.

[Hepps]

@general_zod So here is a sample of what I think would make a good in-game U.I. up-grade.

Now the colours and design of the frames and borders could also get far more attention and improvement. For this example I just made them bright so that the area is distinctive.

the other thing to note is that the tabs above the mini map would slide upwards if you want to view them.

[redrum]

@hepps Can I have your children?

I totally agree with the general layout (aligns with most modern TBS games). Not sure on the whole consumable bar concept though and I hate the color I'd also like to consider redoing the top bar and push that primarily into a pop-up menu. We could consider putting resources and such along the top then.

[Hepps]

@redrum Tell you what... 2 things need to happen.... First science needs to allow us to meld the DNA from 2 males.... second you need to get me Jessica Biel to carry our child.... I reserve the right to be the one who inseminates here the old fashion way.... and I want a clause that requires at minimum 100 attempts.

[General_Zod]

@hepps

I like the direction your taking it in this example. The main thing on my wish list would be a highly functional efficient territory tab. Many including myself like to play mostly from a zoomed out perspective, thus highly relying on scanning the map details/units via use of the territory tab.

The scrolling of territory tab is the most bothersome component of playing with this perspective. So I wonder if the panel could expand to the left across the bottom of display if the territory tab is selected. As well as expand up for the other tabs.This would allow plenty of room to see all units in a territory. Maybe even sorted into 2 ,3 or even 4 rows.

Row A: all infrastructure
Row B: all territory owners combat/non infrastructure units
Row all allied units
Row if room all enemy units

All the usual pertinent territory details can also be displayed here, just more efficiently. And with no scrolling required.

Maybe a fast battle calculator can even be worked into this panel just displaying the main figures here.

Then I envision a more detailed battle calculator for more manipulation of units and saving results of multiple calculations, and changing terrain, etc..

[General_Zod]

@hepps

Even the area were you placed the resource meter, can be used for display of territory units and using minimal space. And place resource meter on a vertical axis along left or right.

I can imagine a row of units in that space, and multiple rows if needed. Just I think this row would require the whole bottom width, bumping up the other items on top of it.

[General_Zod]

@Hepps
However, all that being said, it can be done on the left/right as well if in multi columns.

Or a frame around all sides, with a very small footprint, right, left, top, and bottom. Each displaying dedicated details.

Each side of the display frame should be capable of minimizing though, so a player can gain more room if desired.

[General_Zod]

@Hepps

Expanding on the display frame concept, how about if the entire frame changed.

So, if the territory tab was selected the whole frame was dedicated to displaying the units and other pertinent territory details. Then if you click on the stats tab button the whole frame displays all info pertaining to stats and economy. If click on actions tab the whole frame displays all pertinent action buttons, information etc..

If this concept was accepted, I would propose one frame be called the "Map Survey" frame, with zoom buttons, mini map, and all territory tab info.

[Hepps]

Ideally you could have all the expandable tabs set to either expand vertically or horizontally based on their design parameters.... then each time you open one it closes the other.

ie a territory tab would expand in place of the Consumable (fuel) bar...

Furthermore you could make each tab/window capable of being a pop up or simply expandable to a preset spot and dimension.

Or some combination there-in.

Oh and I added a fourth button.... as a way to pull the main menu of options within the game.

@redrum Is that colour more palatable?

[prastle]

@hepps I just want to know about the children Biel thing Great stuff !

[Hepps]

@prastle Well truthfully it is less about the children for me and more about getting Biel to honk on my bobo.

[prastle]

@hepps and here I thought it was your love of TripleA and Red

[General_Zod]

@hepps Nice, This is already a huge improvement on existing in-game interface.

I propose even the mini-map be collapsible, and the command tabs be their own section.

The customizable aspect would be a big hit with players for sure. Players can decide for themselves, what is important in any particular phase of the game.

[prastle]

@general_zod yup brilliant minds all of yas!

[Hepps]

@general_zod This was how I was seeing it...

And as a comparison... the black shaded area is what is currently obscured.

[Hepps]

@redrum said in Taking your suggestions for a new UI:

@hepps Can I have your children?

Not sure on the whole consumable bar concept though...

I realize that the consume bar is not a widely conceptualized idea at this point.... simply because resource consumption as part of the movement process is in so few games currently. But this is, at least in part, due to a series of inter-related factors...

1. Few games have it within the game because...

2. the few games which include it have not been worked on/refined to improve its implementation within the game because...

3. The lack of an easy way to track (visually) what you are "burning" through during moves... makes the games that have it included frustrating from a resource management perspective.... making it an undesirable feature (self fulfilling prophecy) which will all but guarantee...

4. Without developing a mechanism (Which under how I have proposed it, would create no additional clutter for games that do not have it) there is little to absolutely no chance of creating a game with fuel/consumption/maintenance integrated successfully.

[Hepps]

@general_zod said in Taking your suggestions for a new UI:

@Hepps

Also wondering, if the "Select Map", "Open Saved Game", "Download Maps" and "Map Options" buttons will be located somewhere else?

Actually all the information on that window is useful, would like to see the info in top left remain somewhere.

Sorry Zod I think I missed a bit of your comment here. Yes since this game launch screen is such a huge part of the game interface.... I am striving to change as little as possible other than the appearance.

Here is a mock up of the entire screen...

[General_Zod]

@hepps

Cool, yeah as the menu goes. I agree, we should keep all the functionality and information that the current version has, intact.

It's coming together nicely.

I must admit the in-game interface is much more exciting. Hopefully that project comes to fruition as well.