Suggestion for macro-managment

Interface related

from Sins Forums
First of all, love the game.

However, one of the most annoying thing about it is when I have many planets, I have difficulty finding the best place to build some structure, typically a research station. That's because I have no idea where I have the free place on mine 10+ planets.

Here is what I think can be done:

When you mouse over the structure (or ship or planet upgrade) in the build menu (bottom right of the screen), even if it is grayed out, then all planets on the map, where this thing can be built should light up. This will be especially useful when you are in that zoomed out view - you will see all planets at once where you can build the station (or ship, or make a planet upgrade)

If you at the same time press some key (for example alt) and hover over the same icon then instead of lighting up the planet where this thing can be built, those planets should light up where the structure is already build. This is especially important for finding those ships, like colony or scout. Just mouse over build menu with alt pressed and you see the planets where you have those ships!!!

I do not know about you, but this single thing will improve my game experience a lot! I think it is a must have!!!
7,157 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
The empire tree already has some new stuff that will solve all these problems but your 'light it up' idea is pretty cool!
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
The empire tree does not produce easy way to see where I can build the station. Also try to find a single scout in your 10+ planets and 50+ ships. Good luck!

I think my suggestion would so much simplify the most tedious task in the game - search for the right planet/ship.

Or do I miss something in the empire tree interface? How do you currently find the planet with enough spots to build the station? Or how do you find the scout which you do not remember where is it?
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
The empire tree does not produce easy way to see where I can build the station. Also try to find a single scout in your 10+ planets and 50+ ships. Good luck!
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New stuff implies its coming in a patch. I think.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
That is an excellent suggestion.

Right now the only way to tell if you have space available is by ether clicking on the planet, and looking at its build menu's, or mousing over over the planet for the info card that tell you how many logistics slots are left. Some extra info in the empire tree would be a great help. Especially in a zoomed out galaxy view.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
Or do I miss something in the empire tree interface? How do you currently find the planet with enough spots to build the station? Or how do you find the scout which you do not remember where is it?
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i tend to build as i go after i have grabbed as many of the starting grav wells as i can usually 4 or 5.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
I think what he was referring to is epic multi star maps like areolan sector, or systems of war. When i play them i stay in the galaxy view quite a bit, and info cards for worlds sometimes dont display there.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
ok sorry i only play huge random maps
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
BTW what does referral mean here? And how can I refer? Or is it only SD employee option?
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
A small suggestion that would be great for multi-star systems/alot of planets:

Clicking the star would select it as if it were your own planet, letting you choose logistical, (possibly not defense), and military.

Of course, the sun wouldn't build any of these. It would automatically pick a random building/planet that meets the restrictions, than build it. I'm probably explaining this badly, so I'll give a few points that it would have (hopefully letting you catch on)


Easily create a global rally point
Easily create mass units by the simply build que, which uses all of your factories (and sends them to the factories rally point)
Quickly fill in any planets that are missing their mining center, or a few extra trade centers.
Ect


Once again the sun is neutral, and nothing can be built on it.
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
Well, I prefer instead of clicking that star to have one small button on the interface. Which is like "Global". If you press it, then you do "global" commands, like rally point or ship build queue.

Yet I still prefer the lighting up idea.
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
I also like this light up idea!
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
Is there any indication that developers have read this post?
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
Pff, they read all the topics. It's just part of working at a job
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
I see someone else had the same problem as me, just a different way of getting around it. While I might be able to get used to the light-up feature, I would still much prefer pressing a key to select a planet able to support the structure in question, as detailed in the gameplay feedback thread.

I really would like the light-up for existing ships though.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top

A small suggestion that would be great for multi-star systems/alot of planets:

Clicking the star would select it as if it were your own planet, letting you choose logistical, (possibly not defense), and military.

Of course, the sun wouldn't build any of these. It would automatically pick a random building/planet that meets the restrictions, than build it. I'm probably explaining this badly, so I'll give a few points that it would have (hopefully letting you catch on)


Easily create a global rally point
Easily create mass units by the simply build que, which uses all of your factories (and sends them to the factories rally point)
Quickly fill in any planets that are missing their mining center, or a few extra trade centers.
Ect


Once again the sun is neutral, and nothing can be built on it.
End of quote



Well, I prefer instead of clicking that star to have one small button on the interface. Which is like "Global". If you press it, then you do "global" commands, like rally point or ship build queue.

Yet I still prefer the lighting up idea.
End of quote


the difference is that with the above suggestion you can do it on a star basis whereas the other suggestion goes only on an absolute scale. I personally prefer the first suggestion, because in multi star games, it would be nice to move the level of administration a bit away from planets and more towards suns, otherwise you go nuts with all the planet micro.
Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
Is there any indication that developers have read this post?
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As someone mentioned, the devs here are very good at reading everything. They don't have the time to respond to every thread, however in this case if you need proof that a dev read it.. he posted the very first reply to it