Interface Concerns

from Sins Forums
Hello,

Not sure if this has been discussed but I am a big fan of Gal Civ II (very much looking forward to the Dark Avatar expansion pack coming out in two weeks!). I've been taking a look at this game since it was announced Stardock would be publishing it. Looks great but I have concerns about the interface. From what I've seen thus far, from the video and screenshots that have been released, it looks mighty cluttered. Thoughts on this? Has the interface been described in more detail elsewhere?
40,681 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2006/289/935993_20061017_screen004.jpg

I don't see how that qualifies as cluttered...
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
Look at this...

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/738/738529/sins-of-a-solar-empire-20061011043632262.jpg
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
I'm sure it makes sense in context, and I'm sure they've improved the look and feel by now, to match the polished look of the bottom part...
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
lol i hope so too
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
Even if the interface is to cluttered or what not hopefully that is something that can be addressed in the beta. Those of us who are in he beta can mention it and hopefully it could either be worked on or maybe made so you can chose how much and what is displayed since there will prolly be just as many people who would want to see the info as those who wouldn't.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
The look of the interface isn't final yet. I certainly wouldn't call it cluttered.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

You are seeing an older version of the Empire Tree which you can read up on from various interviews and previews: This particular interview explains what you are seeing and why it is useful: http://www.killerbetties.com/sins_of_a_solar_empire_interview_blair_fraser?page=0%2C1. 

The current version of the Empire Tree includes a variety of filters to keep only the information you need available visible and has the option to stack similiar units (notice the rows of identical icons). If that still isn't enough, it can can be turned off easily from a button on the top left. Infact, if you know your hotkeys, the whole interface can be turned off as well.

Ideally, when the game is released we will have learned from beta players' comments like this, fixed things up and the problem removed.

Blair

Edit: NacNud and Yarlen nailed it. I was typing my response at the same time

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
That Empire Tree looks like the one in Nexus, so it isn't that bad.

'course Nexus only had 8 ships max at any given time.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
so whats the max within sins?
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
ugh multianna... haven't we gone over this before?

there is NO max!!!
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
depending on your planets build up capability. like shcem said, i don't think there will be any max. i mean do i hear a platform defense spam?
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
then you wont expand and ultimately, you'll lose.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
The platforms might only be good vs bigger ships, so if you keep them out of range, and just use fighters.. maybe..

haha wounder if there will be a "Grand Cannon" like in robotech, that will be very expensive, like the mavor in supcom.

Well as i remember what blair said, there will be some kind of upkeep to maintain the ships, so there is a "max" in some way.
So the question is more like, how big can the SoaSE universe become?
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
it either depends on the physical limits of the game, or the physical limits of your computer.