Unit icon reference chart

[nenad]

I've posted the unit icon reference chart over at our blog. It's a breakdown of all of the unit types that are in the game. Check it out.

[Kipper]

I'll hold off buying this until/if the NATO icons arrive. Those disembodied heads... what were they thinking?[X(]

[nenad]

I know it's a rhetorical question but I'll try to address it nevertheless. [:)]

We were partially inspired by this:

It's a disembodied horse head that stands for "the knight" in one of the longest lived strategy games around [&o]. A design that proved itself by surviving several hundreds of years. So to directly answer your question - we were thinking: "if this representational system was good enough for these guys, it just may be good enough for us." [:)]

[Noakesy]

[:D][:D][:D]

[Kipper]

Well, leaving aside your snide and obvious reply, I will tell you why I personally won't be buying. Operational wargaming for me is about role-playing the role of commander. And I can't imagine an operational commander moving little heads around a map.

Comes from an old tradition of not having bits of toy soliders lying on a map. One that has done for hundreds of years. I was thinking : "if this representational system was good enough for these guys, it just may be good enough for me."

[nenad]

Sure. That's why we made graphics modding extremely easy to do.

[Kipper]

God be with the days when the DEVELOPER made games.

Anyway, a no-buy on the toy heads/unfinished game and unpleasant attitude.

[Hanal]

ORIGINAL: Kipper

Well, leaving aside your snide and obvious reply, I will tell you why I personally won't be buying. Operational wargaming for me is about role-playing the role of commander. And I can't imagine an operational commander moving little heads around a map.

Comes from an old tradition of not having bits of toy soliders lying on a map. One that has done for hundreds of years. I was thinking : "if this representational system was good enough for these guys, it just may be good enough for me."

So when you get into your "role playing" frame of mind, which uniform do you wear? Honestly, this is one of the most immature reasons I have ever read as to why a person will not buy a game, especially one as good as UoC....

[nenad]

Kipper, sorry if anything I said came across as snide or blunt. It was not my intention. I was just trying to give a real rationale behind this particular design choice. Cheers!

[Kipper]

So when you get into your "role playing" frame of mind, which uniform do you wear? Honestly, this is one of the most immature reasons I have ever read as to why a person will not buy a game, especially one as good as UoC....

No, you just don't understand the concept, that's all. Read Peter Perla's "The Art of Wargaming: A Guide for Professionals and Hobbyists" for an interesting discussion of the nature of wargaming as being essentially that of roleplaying the role of the commander. There are others that deal with the topic but that's the best introductory discussion.

[Kipper]

ORIGINAL: nenad

Kipper, sorry if anything I said came across as snide or blunt. It was not my intention. I was just trying to give a real rationale behind this particular design choice. Cheers!

I'd say you've lost some sales on that decision. Not as many as with other wargames that drop the NATO symbols though because a) it is advertised as being pretty light and b)lowish price and c) moddable. Won't be buying because the heads are just a mental block for me. If a mod comes out I will have a look but there will be new temptations for the gaming budget by that time.

However I do see from the screenshots a little UI innovation I suggested for a game from a few years back, so there is some common ground in our taste!

[Ron]

ORIGINAL: nenad

Kipper, sorry if anything I said came across as snide or blunt. It was not my intention. I was just trying to give a real rationale behind this particular design choice. Cheers!

No need to apologize at all. In fact, it is Kipper who should be apologizing or making a hasty exit. Far too many wargamers are strident in their demands of what should or should not be.

The icons are cool as are several aspects of the UI in your game. Congratulations on trying something different and the innovative game. I have only scratched the surface, but am really enjoying it thus far, simple yet elegant.

[Kipper]

No need to apologize at all. In fact, it is Kipper who should be apologizing or making a hasty exit.

The pace at which I choose how to (not) spend my money is not a matter of apology! [:D]

[Ron]

ORIGINAL: Kipper


The pace at which I choose how to (not) spend my money is not a matter of apology! [:D]

Of course not, the reference you failed to grasp was your behaviour. However, you have mounted your pet horse now so I guess you are going to have to ride it.

[Kipper]

Oh yes, a consumer wanting some functionality that the product didn't have, and going on record stating that he would have bought it if it had it. Sorry about that. Happy?

[Wolfe1759]

ORIGINAL: Kipper

Well, leaving aside your snide and obvious reply, I will tell you why I personally won't be buying. Operational wargaming for me is about role-playing the role of commander. And I can't imagine an operational commander moving little heads around a map.

Comes from an old tradition of not having bits of toy soliders lying on a map. One that has done for hundreds of years. I was thinking : "if this representational system was good enough for these guys, it just may be good enough for me."

And I can't imagine any of these gentelmen are looking at NATO icons. [:)]

Having now had the game for 24hrs or so and played through the tutorial and partway through the first Axis scenario on the list I must say that I'm rather getting to like the "funny little heads". Interested to see what people come up with in regard to NATO icons but even then I may still stick with the FLHs.

[Kipper]

And I can't imagine any of these gentelmen are looking at NATO icons. [:)]

LOL! Good one!

Having now had the game for 24hrs or so and played through the tutorial and partway through the first Axis scenario on the list I must say that I'm rather getting to like the "funny little heads". Interested to see what people come up with in regard to NATO icons but even then I may still stick with the FLHs.

That at least is a good sign. Wish the devs all the best of luck with this one, but I am no longer able to afford to buy games that I'm not sure I'd be pretty happy with.

[stormbringer3]

I got my 1st Avalon Hill game over 50 years ago and I'm very partial to NATO counters. At first the "heads" were also a concern to me. However, after researching the game, I bought it on the release day and I'm very happy that I did. Having played it, the "heads" have really grown on me. Now, I think that even if there is a NATO counter mod I'll stick with the "heads."

[Kipper]

ORIGINAL: stormbringer3

I got my 1st Avalon Hill game over 50 years ago and I'm very partial to NATO counters. At first the "heads" were also a concern to me. However, after researching the game, I bought it on the release day and I'm very happy that I did. Having played it, the "heads" have really grown on me. Now, I think that even if there is a NATO counter mod I'll stick with the "heads."

Thanks for the heads-up! 50 years is a lot of NATO counters to get past - I have just under 30 years gaming behind me with NATO counters and was worried that it would be impossible so you've reassured me!

Will definitely give it some more thought. Read the AARs, etc. last night and read a few forums but people do seem to be getting past the heads pretty successfully. Will shake the head clear and take it from the top again tonight.

[rodney727]

Kipper,
I too won't be buying this game. I just can't get past the "walking heads". It's like buying a playboy just to read the articles. Another reason, you have no vested intrest in keeping your units alive, other than the prestige factor. If I lose a unit, the next scn I have the same unit avaliable to me. Units are not named historically from what I see in the screen shots. Also Why start at Stalingrad? Why not start in Poland?