Steve Williams Beta 2B comments

from Stardock Forums
I received email from Steve who is having problems posting.

Here's his feedback:

I love beta2 its a great improvement:



There are two important improvements in my view to be made beta2 at a relatively minor investment(?) versus major gain:



1. range rings - attempt to express ship ranges graphically as rings from 'a centre' on the mini maps as they are a bit abstract* at the moment.



2. zoomed map view locator - I am having trouble (not major but not nice) locating my position in the galaxy when zoomed. Some indicator- either of the boundary of the zoomed map ('x edge here') or a position locator relative to the main map(?) would be very advisable in my view.



*abstract? - I notice range is not based on range from the target ship (engine, fuel etc) but based on range from a 'centre of influence' rather like European Medieval Influence. Once I got used to this it was in my view nice but not obvious.


a) I love the reduced anomalies benefits - game is much less 'arcade-like' now - mid game now stretching out and becoming more cerebral and strategic.

b) the new maps with the 'pinch-point' planet groupings make for much better stratagy in my view. By pinched I mean (the developers will know) the spawning of the stars is much better now and we as players need to consider the benefits of starbases as defensive and exploratory frontiers and forts - very nice.



steve

244 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
'*abstract? - I notice range is not based on range from the target ship (engine, fuel etc) but based on range from a 'centre of influence' rather like European Medieval Influence. Once I got used to this it was in my view nice but not obvious.'

Its range from a supply source (in this case, a planet or starbase) as per every space strategy game (and many terrestrial ones) I have had the opportunity to play. The out of range dialog specifically mentions this detail.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
And, no, I didn't notice it wasn't pisted directly at first. 8P

Anyway, I have noticed that frequently problems posting happen because the cookie for the GC site isn't working correctly for some reason. When that happens to be the cause, logging out and back in usually allows you to post again.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
centre of influence/supply source same point - a geographical point that is not drawn from the ship or the ships location - but I take your point

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
In GalCiv it generally works out the same, but the two aren't always equivalent. Starbases don't always generate influence, nor do all sources of influence operate as a supply source(in most games, this particular facet isn't present in GalCiv).
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
range is based on how far your nearest planet or starbase is. But it works on a sector basis.

It's not based on sector ownership.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
thanks guys

I notice it works on 'boxes' of sectors rather than circles (i.e. spheres) of sectors
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Steve, if I made sure that the sector coordinates updated when you were scrolling the zoomed mini-map, would that be sufficient?
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
hmm.

lets try it and see. I say 'hmm'as i am not sure many really check the coords - the eye is better than maths in terms of location - but lets see.

thanks