Unit Flags - Are there any maps that would like to default it to on?
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There is a feature triggered by the 'L' key to show unit flags.
We are looking to make it a map property whether to display unit flags by default for a given map. This would be similar to unit size where a map can specify a default unit size value. If a user updates the unit size option when playing that map, their preference is then saved. Unit flags display would work the same.Before we build in this property, are there any maps that would like to have unit flags be on by default?
If no, we can perhaps skip adding the property, if yes, we would work on adding the property to allow maps to have the feature be on by default for that map. Otherwise unit flags would remain off by default.
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@LaFayette Pretty sure, at least at its current state, but probably anyways, that if a mapmaker would make a map in which he would want that feature to be on by default, he would rather add flags as part of the units images, instead (as recently made by @Hepps for 270BC, and as I would have done too). I don't think such an option would have a current application, and it would be merely subjective, in each case, having it assigned to a map or not, assuming that would mean that map could make with or without units flags displayed (so it seems reasonable, in all such cases, to have the flags off default, and letting the user decide, per map, if wanting to have them). However, this option may have some value, especially in borderline situations; so it may be good to have anyways, just in case, even though I don't think it would find immediate application, right now.
What would be definitely of interest, however, would be an option for not having this option for a specific map (for example 270BC), and even better also specifically for some of the units or some players of that map only (Napoleonic Empires, for sea units and neutrals).
If this option would be more refined, also an option for having flags on by default and, at the same time, not having any flag options (thus being unable to switch them off) may be good, but I think I would still rather have the flags pictured in the units images themselves or as always displayed icons, mostly because of not trusting the consistency of the program overtime (fearing current or future developers messing with the matter).
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@Cernel I think you are not considering that 90% of maps are made by map makers that have limited graphics ability. So being able to add the flag setting by default can be very useful for large maps with many players. This is kind of like saying that a map maker should just make units to be the exact size they want and never use the unit sizing attribute.
But yes if we make this a per map type property then we could consider expanding it to have more options or even be disabled for certain maps where units already have some sort of built in unit flag (TWW, 270BC, etc).
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@redrum If my map needs flags, for telling the units apart, why would I want them to be optional, default or not?
On a graphic skill level, mapmakers can currently assure all units having flags with icons.
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@Cernel Most people don't have the graphical skills to add unit flags to every unit image. So why not have the ability to enable unit flags to be on by default? And there isn't really any harm in allowing players to turn them off if they prefer.
Either way, I think you would agree that it should be a per map setting where if I enable it on 1 map it shouldn't change my preferences of another map.
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@redrum said in Unit Flags - Are there any maps that would like to default it to on?:
Either way, I think you would agree that it should be a per map setting where if I enable it on 1 map it shouldn't change my preferences of another map.
Yes, of course. Also, isn't this given here? I understood this is going to be, and not the point of discussion, thus I didn't bother.
Anyways, as I said:
However, this option may have some value, especially in borderline situations; so it may be good to have anyways, just in case, even though I don't think it would find immediate application, right now.
So, not like I'm against it. Just unenthusiastically favourable.
Generally, I don't think telling apart stuff with colourization only is really a serious method, anyways. Also 270BC could be remade with the flags on by default but switchable off, as, there, they are not strictly needed to tell units and their players apart. -
@Cernel Another advantage of not having flags as part of the units pictures is that, this way, they are easier to retouch, once the original maker is not around anymore or lost or deleted the unflagged originals. However, this can already be done by using icons.
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@redrum Anyways, since we mentioned, for World At War it would be up to you to decide if this feature should be on by default (in case, I think the XML game's version should not be changed just for this, thus remaining 2.1.1). Might be a way to show off the feature on a popular map and avoid it remaining just unused maybe for years. Or, anyways, it would be advisable finding at least 1 map on which to apply this thing, so that the feature is not unused. Myself, I don't really know what other maps may want to have flags on default.
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@Cernel Yeah, I was thinking of adding it to WaW as I tend to prefer it on and if nothing else it'll let players know the feature exists. If most players don't like it then we can always change it back.
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I don't think we should set the default to 'on' for flags on a map to let users know about the feature. It seems it is a failing of the feature and not the map at that point.
I also thought part of the point of letting it be a setting is if a user does not like it, then they turn it off (or on). Given we have the flags unburied from the view settings, I think people will now find it.
The question I think is what maps would really benefit from having flags turned on by default? WaW is perhaps a candidate; For existing maps I would look to players who always turn on flags for specific maps. In those cases it seems there is evidence flags should be on.
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@LaFayette said in Unit Flags - Are there any maps that would like to default it to on?:
players who always turn on flags for specific maps. In those cases it seems there is evidence flags should be on.
Then again, I suspect most people did not realize the flags feature was there or how to turn it on. I'd guess we won't know the answer to "for which maps do users turn flags on?" without adding feature usage tracking code. (Perhaps I'm wrong though and there are some maps that are clear candidates.)
