0.66.010 Beta Feedback - My Comments/Suggestions

Ironclad/Stardock, a great game you guys have here. Overall, it's so far been a very cool experience. Here are my comments & suggestions based on my first-time play-through:


Gameplay Suggestions
1) Would be nice if a progress indicator of some sort was shown when colonizing a planet.

2) Would be nice if there was a retreat button for all ships (this could mean retreating to the nearest out of gravity well planet)

3) Unit groupings. Would be nice if I could have some sort of way to issue tactical moves such as (a) wait until all units are in the indicated gravity well before proceeding to the desired location; (b) formation order (e.g. optimal to which ship would best go first, and which are best last); (c) AI attack aggression levels (head straight for target vs. attack all in its way to its goal vs. avoid attack altogether)

4) Some sort of clickable map such as the one in GCII (the Empire Window (EW) does not do justice as to where the planets are relative to each other). Though one can zoom out to see some sort of 'map', it would be better if this was immediately available in the form of a map.

5) A minor thing: not sure how many people would feel this is a good idea but I think it'd be cool to have some sort of encyclopedia one could browse to see what are a certain unit's purpose, possible upgrades, etc.




UI Suggestions
1) Click dragging to select multiple units does not work if I start dragging from within an object's boundary box (be it a planet, factory, or ship).

2) Would be nice if the EW indicates what each of the ships are doing (e.g. Idle, moving, attacking, being attacked (for ships/objects that can't attack, etc.)

3) Would be nice if the EW either groups construction capable units in its own, additional section/subsection or if they are selectable from the fixed structures section. Too many times I have been unable to find where my construction unit was (the icons are way too small) and ended up simply clicking on the planet of interest from the EW instead.

4) An option to permanently show health bars and progress bars would be wonderful.

5) An option to keep info cards fixed until you close it like a pop-up when a single unit is selected would be nice. Right now I find I have to keep my mouse cursor on the desired unit at all times to read it...

6) Maybe make the research window collapseable such that a small part of it is shown with the rest of the screen showing the main game with the planets and ships and such.. would give the player time to ponder over what to research while doing other stuff.



Controls Suggestions
1) I find that when rotating the camera, the camera moves way too fast. It would be nice if I could also move the camera with the scroll wheel button as well by default. Also, would be nice if I could move the screen by say holding the left mouse button instead of having to move the mouse to the edge of the screen.
4,285 views 9 replies
Reply #1 Top
Gameplay Suggestions
1. why? it only takes about 5 secounds
2. i agree, we might see something like it in beta 2 (i hope)
3. i agree, we need more options for a fleets, as we could have lots of fleets going around.
4. I dont think we are gonna see a map, but you can press the left "ALT" key to show names, and when zoomed out, you can get a better view.
5. Would be somewhat waste of time at this point. Things do change. Its been discussed before, and none have done it yet because of it.

UI Suggestions
1. havent had that problem, but then again i might not have done as you said
2. i agree
3. i dont get, why would you need to look for the construction unit? simply click the planet..
4. hmm isent that in already? but im not sure
5. i totaly agree
6. yeah

Controls Suggestions
1. i find the controls fine as they are but thats me
Reply #2 Top
1. why? it only takes about 5 secounds


I like to know what everything is doing, since I am the (most important) dictator in this game

4. I dont think we are gonna see a map, but you can press the left "ALT" key to show names, and when zoomed out, you can get a better view.


Ah okay - thanks for the tip!

3. i dont get, why would you need to look for the construction unit? simply click the planet..


Hmm my reasoning is in the case where I want to change the current queue of a unit and/or move it out of harm's way...

4. hmm isent that in already? but im not sure


Oh is it? Hmm... I didn't see it if it was.. I'll take a look again the next time I play.

1. i find the controls fine as they are but thats me

bah.. yes that's just you
Reply #3 Top
1. why? it only takes about 5 secounds


I like to know what everything is doing, since I am the (most important) dictator in this game


aah

3. i dont get, why would you need to look for the construction unit? simply click the planet..


Hmm my reasoning is in the case where I want to change the current queue of a unit and/or move it out of harm's way...


just click the planet and you get all the options you need. But for the construction unit, why care? as your the emperor and should care about small things like that, and you get it as a nice present from your loyal citizens

4. hmm isent that in already? but im not sure


Oh is it? Hmm... I didn't see it if it was.. I'll take a look again the next time I play.


dont take my word on it tho just seem to remember i seen it, maybe it was with the left ALT key..
Reply #4 Top
Controls in the game are fine, I've logged at least 30+ hours of gameplay and find no problems as they are.

What I think needs to be added is a way point system, I would like it if my ships them patrolled say 3-4 planets around the sun... Along with any other patrol that I might want to set up.

Reply #5 Top
Controls in the game are fine, I've logged at least 30+ hours of gameplay and find no problems as they are.

Mine is just a minor quirk.. after looking through the older posts it seems that this issue was already planned (mouse sensitivity and such) so I'm already happy

What I think needs to be added is a way point system, I would like it if my ships them patrolled say 3-4 planets around the sun... Along with any other patrol that I might want to set up

Yes, yes, and yes!!! That would be a great thing to have

Reply #6 Top
What I think needs to be added is a way point system, I would like it if my ships them patrolled say 3-4 planets around the sun...

True, that would be nice to have.
Reply #7 Top

What I think needs to be added is a way point system, I would like it if my ships them patrolled say 3-4 planets around the sun... Along with any other patrol that I might want to set up.

The game already has waypoints - you just want them to loop automatically.

Reply #8 Top

What I think needs to be added is a way point system, I would like it if my ships them patrolled say 3-4 planets around the sun... Along with any other patrol that I might want to set up.


The game already has waypoints - you just want them to loop automatically.




yeah..... LOOP please +1
Reply #9 Top
Loops are a given...
I'm really tired of the games that say "if you want your troops to patrol, use _____ to set waypoints!" and then the waypoints dont loop.