Z Axis

I also Like Z axis. Notice the AI do it sometimes during battle, wanted to try some tactics with this function later.

You can definately move in the Z axis in Beta4, though its fairly obvious the whole Z axis function isn't polished yet.

click the move button (the green arrow) then press and hold the D key

HO YEAH! Thanks for the tip! I searched for hours a combination, or a fonction button-clic...

So.. its fully implemented already. Now all we need, is a double clic move command, with the Z avaible via Shift (or simple clic if pointed on an object -hw2 style, best that i can think of-), and same system for planting structures. Then, galaxies that scatter also vertically... And Sins will be the best space game ever.

There is no plan for Z-Axis manipulation of structures. That said, solar systems do vary on the Z-axis -- a minor degree internally, and I believe a fair bit externally (different systems at wildly different Z's... I think.)

Yeah, but it's not even noticable until you look the universe from a tight angle... so gameplay wise, it's even more useless...
Idea : 2 types of maps.
Maps with planets that are only on a flat disc (noob ou "market" friendly)
Maps using full z axis, for the other players, and a full depth space gameplay.

Again, its too late for major changes and options are bad because the devs have to balance both options -- which becomes an exponential problem as more and more options are added in to suit various people.

Balancing is not an issue here. I can't understand. You have to balance sides, right, gameplay exploits, fine, but if you give the exact same thing to every player, an universal rule, why does that have to break anything? There is some cases where this don't apply, yes, but in that particular case, z-axis won't break the game at all.

Then again, I agree your point about exponensial issues with options, but that doesn't mean you have to restrict yourself too much.
Every game have multiple rules for multiplayer...

And too late for major changes? WTF? Everything is already there! The only thing missing is z-axis structure placement! (And since the z-axis exist, it's only a interface issue...)

I've shown the game to many friends (so they could preorder it and play against me ).. all of them (5) replied me the same thing: "Hum, ok, so its flatter than starcraft then... I'll pass."

Please please please... I beg anyone @ IC.

???? flatter than Starcraft?????



starcraft was pretty flat, and it is like in HW, at first you nvr use the function, but eventully you'll begin to notice how 3D it realy is. (like ships passing over planets)

uhhh, starcraft was COMPLETELY flat with the exception of being able to have ramps put into the map IN THE EDITOR, and all they did is block the movement of ground units...

although the 3d placement of tac structures would be nice, it would make defense much more thorough with gaussies

Can anyone say..tactics mod?

That's a joke right?
Some exception that occur only to avoid a collision or some slight "nuance" for enhanced visuals can't be taken into account.

If I understand correctly, the devs will even remove the actual Z-a move to avoid the "exploit" of flying over turrets...
Then, the game will be "fully 2D", and I'm quoting a friend angain, flatter than starcraft.

Take it this way : I will be able to give orders only on 1 pane. Any old school strategy game has 2, for the units that walks (or roll) and the units that flys.

HW, Hegoemonia (< this one was bad though), ect, real 3D strategy games, have infinites panes.

How's that for Z axis? The enemy ships jumped from up there, and so did my forces once I told them to go somewhere (which means the grav well is a sphere. That was obviously the closest tangent to them).

BTW that battle is directly above that asteroid.

I don't know where a lot of this information comes from, but the beta 4 I'm playing has a lot of 3d and is infinitely more 3d than both starcraft and starcraft 2. We even made it EASIER to issue z-axis movement in beta 4 and exaggerated the 3d positioning of the planets relative to each other even more. Each solar system is most certainly is not a flat disc.

We should all try and remember that a lot of the forum posts are over a year old and the game has evolved A LOT since then. Much of the old information is substantially out of date and no longer applicable.

Dudes, I know there is a way to issue Z orders (I learned it at the start of this thread..) The point is : IT'S WAY TOO UNDER USED. (I'm not even sure the tutorial explains how to issue them).

The reason for that is plane maps.
"and exaggerated the 3d positioning of the planets relative to each other even more."

Well. As I said before, slight nuance. It does not affect gameplay at all.
And please, forget about Starcraft and co. It's was not the point of this topic and it was used with some irony to show the huge potential of 3D fights missed by the game at this point.

(I don't like SC btw, nor i'm korean )

Its called a search function

And you are concentrating on z-axis movement tooo much. Play a bit online, and I kid you not, you will notice that moving your ships individually will not only be a game killer, but also a waste of your time and the cause of your eventual death.

The tutorials aren't final, the devs have more important things on their hands atm.

look at the picture dammit that's me and thrawn and a comp. Z AXIS EVIDENCE!

Read & understand my messages dammit. The point is : right now, moving along Z is useless because the game center everything on z=0.



What's the link between moving ships individually and the 2D vs 3D space?
3D space doesn't involve more micro management.. In fact, you could play EXCATLY the same way, even let your ships auto-attack (if you hate so much controlling your fights). The only bad point (if you consider that as a "bad" one) is that you should have to place your tactical structures more cautiously.
And the good points would be : more realism, more fun, more eye candy, more variety (which the maps lacks atm) and most of all, more tactical potential.

Don't get me wrong though. I spent already almost 100 hours on this game, it got great ideas, etc. And i like it very much already. I'm just astonished that I'm the only one defending 3D movement on a SPACE GAME... I mean... well.. For me it's so obvious that I'm running out of arguments. So i'll just shut up and cross fingers...

The 3D aspects won't be changing from how they are now. As Blair's said, we feel there's a nice balance in how the game works now (and you can look back at the previous threads if you want to read the whole argument).

I just learned this now. Wow, thats great...better then great. Unfortunatly there are alot of beta4 people out there on the web spreading the rumor that SINS is X/Y only and there is no Z movment. Thats why I never even thought to ask...

Will we be getting a manual with the final release? Pleasseee...

can the manual be made of linen ?

i think it would be better of they were carved on stone tablets