We need your opinion! City build mode zoom options

from Elemental Forums

Hey guys!  First off, glad to see you seem to be (for the most part) enjoying the beta!  We have a question for you guys about a specific UI feature we have, the city build mode zoom option.  For those that don't know, in the general options there is an option to turn on "city build mode zoom".  What this does is make it so when you build something you get a transition into a different, birds-eye, view of the city in question.

Internally there are differing opinions on what we think of this mode and we would like to see what you guys think about it.  In order to see what I mean follow these steps:

 

1: Enable the mode in general options http://screencast.com/t/m0MsKHblJsQ 

2: Build something in a city! http://screencast.com/t/uERqR5q8U4I

3: This is what the standard build view is with the option off for reference http://screencast.com/t/E3H6fqsU

 

I would prefer if you guys actually try using the mode yourself for a while before you vote, seeing it static is different from in the game with animation and in different situations.  Obviously you don't HAVE to, but you may feel differently late in the game or something. 

 

As a final note, no matter what the result of the vote this feature (and the ability to turn it off) will remain in the game.  So however you feel about it, don't worry you will be able to play as you like; I mean this is a PC game, not being able to play how you want is more of a console thing ;)   this is just going to help us decide how our default experience is for new users.

Click here to vote

Thanks!

-Toby

10,128 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

Turned this option on before I even started my first game. I certainly wouldn't like to play without it. Good stuff. :thumbsup:

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Am I missing something or is there no way to enable autoplacement of buildings?

I have zero interest in placing the buildings, it adds a needless click, and serves no purpose beyond the exceedingly bizarre ability to garrison your units and pop them out on the other end of a 'long' city to travel many squares in one turn.

Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I agree.  I would much rather have a city screen with information and pictures on all the buildings in it, and have all cities take up one square (but zone of influence still spreading out to encompass more of the countryside), or only have bigger cities take up more than one square.

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Having the zoom on feels more natural. You won't put a building in the wrong place.

Although I do agree with Mtrixis & StevenAus. The whole building placement aspect seems unnecessary. It doesn't matter where I place the buildings, just that they're there. It'd be nice to see it like MoM and HoMM. And I bet the art assets could be repurposed and it would ease the system requirements, I bet. Just imagine a city screen like MoM or HoMM but 3D, maybe you could zoom in a bit, tilt and pan the camera angle.

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

I kinda like the city flowing organically out into the map.  But then, I kinda place my buildings randomly (though sometimes I'll expand to swallow a nearby resource).  So the overhead view doesn't help and it's less attractive.  Plus it screws with the camera unless I click on "Done" which I don't always do.

The overhead view just makes it clear to me how much the cities lack roads.  From overhead, everything seems very isolated and the cities just look like the collections of boxes they are.

I do like placing buildings though.  Even though it's pointless in terms of strategy.  It's still kinda nice to feel like I am the one building the city.

Reply #6 from Elemental Forums Top

I feel that this thread here really ties into this thread.

The building placement thing for the cities feels rather hollow, which is why we're just dropping them down at random.  Since there's no need to select where you place something, a camera view for that sole purpose is really pointless and only serves to highlight the fact that building placement is pointless, and that the cities are collections of boxes - as sweatyboatman pointed out.

I like placing buildings - don't misunderstand me - I just don't know why I'm placing the buildings.

I liken it back to Imperium Galactica 2, where each planet was a miniature, small scale Sim City.  I think we need to add... something to the building placement so we're making a decision when we place a building.  Basically, we need a "why".

I've posted a suggestion in the linked thread, whether or not it's the right way to go I don't know - but it adds depth.

If nothing is added to the placement stuff, then I think this should be set to Off by default.  Otherwise, it's really just highlighting flaws that we don't need to be reminded of.

Reply #7 from Elemental Forums Top

I probably won't be using the zoom mode. I remember that it annoyed me in WoM. I don't like the angle changing. I prefer to always look at the map from the same direction.