Map?

from Sins Forums
Hey, I finally, just updated my Beta2 to Beta4, and currently am still enjoying a rather, long game (5 hours GAH!)
But one thing that is really really annoying me, Is my inability to help my friendly AI, he calls for help, but I can never tell where he wants help, If I zoom out to get a better view, I can't see his ships because the icons disappear at certain zoom levels

I really do think there should be a mini map, that we can toggle on or off (in game toggle) that show's a mini map (could be some sort of Radar design to stay in line with the game).
And when the AI request's help, it automatically sends a Ping, any pings recieved open the mini map and are shown on the mini map, then mini map then automatically hides away again if the user has the mini map to be hidden.
(Hmm, I think I explained it wrong)

Ill try again...
Ping's that are sent to player's, automatically open up a small mini map of radar or similar design, and the pings are displayed on the mini map for a given time (say 3 seconds should be ample), if the user has the map to be of a hidden toggle, then the map automatically hides away after the ping time elapses (the 3 senconds), if the user has the map toggle to be on open, then the map obviously has no need to automatically hide or show, because's its either meant to be open (so dont hide) or is already shown (Toggle is set to display)
(heh, thats better)

Anyways, all in all I quite enjoy it, its hard at first to get use to the scale of battles, big battles, big maps, tiny ships and structures, but other then the map, and getting use to the scale, I really enjoy it.

Now, If you dont mind im going to try to end this game lol, FINALLY though, A game with heaps of strategics and long battles, that arn't a frustrating stale mate (*cough* AOE *cough*)
6,010 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Bleh, there isn't any need for a minimap. Just zoom out and you can see the entire map -- using zxc you can hit various zooms instantly!

As far as icons disappearing, did you notice the little "pip bars" to the left, right, and bottom of each planet? Those indicate friendly ships, hostile ships, and buildings inside a system. The AI and its "help" indicators are useless though... we can only trust that the Devs will have improved that in the "final" version. (Actually, we can trust them... since the current AI is a complete placeholder, the new AI should be pretty darned hot compared to it...)
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
I don't think a mini-map would be very handy , but I do wish there was an empire sumary screen, so I could see all my planets and their levels of upgrades at one glance.
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
Sounds liek you need practice. I find no need for minimap :) Although on maps with many solar systems, I may need practice too :O
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Heck, I don't know how you'd use a minimap on a game like this one -- it just wouldn't "fit" very well.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
minimaps were merely fast fixes for developers who werent smart enough to think of grand scale zoom. it simply wouldnt help at this point in time.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

minimaps were merely fast fixes for developers who werent smart enough to think of grand scale zoom. it simply wouldnt help at this point in time.
End of quote


Eh, not quite accurate -- given the limitations of the technology and computer design waaaaaaay back when, when Warcraft and C&C and the like were coming out, zooming wouldn't have worked. No mouse wheels to scroll, plus the computers were using sprite based graphics, which wouldn't have worked very well with zooming.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Sounds liek you need practice.
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lol,well yourn not wrong there, I just don't see how we are meant to support AI if we don't know where they need us.
Atleast Multiplayer will be different, they players will tell us where then
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
The empire tree along with zooming are really the most optimal way in a game like this.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
Eh, not quite accurate -- given the limitations of the technology and computer design waaaaaaay back when
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ah, we have a history major!
talking about the starcraft era are we :P ? oh so long ago.
you win Ron, not all games could have used zoom. but there certainly isnt an excuse not to have it now.
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
im pretty sure when ur ally pings u u get a small alert tile in the bottom left that if u click it it immediately takes u to the distressed planet...or maybe thats only if its ur planet im not sure but it is a good idea...a little late coming seeing as how its only 8 days till though =)
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top

you win Ron, not all games could have used zoom. but there certainly isnt an excuse not to have it now.
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Agreed!
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
click for info, then space to go there if I remember correctly.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
Heck, I don't know how you'd use a minimap on a game like this one -- it just wouldn't "fit" very well.
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*cough cough* Supreme Commander *Cough cough*

Not as big, but still massive and it has a minimap you can show/hide. Its not really useful though as the little box icons normally clog it up so its like a huge wad of boxes in different places.

At least it shows where they are!  :LOL: 
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
Best way to see where your AI buddy needs help is to look at the empire tree, where both his and an enemy pips are...

Course, with the beta4 AI its usually just a scout he's complaining about.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
All bow to the power of the Strat Zoom!*Que Ori music*
Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
These issues aren't a problem for the release version. Beta 4 is far more limited.