a complete graphics and interface overhaul

[sPzAbt653]

Those were the days!

If you didn't know, you can still play them, I do on my W7 computer. The particulars can be found here:

tm.asp?m=2523330&mpage=1&key=v4v

[larryfulkerson]

Here's the UI for WITE and I like it. Maybe TOAW could use something like this:

[Freyr Oakenshield]

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

Here's the UI for WITE and I like it. Maybe TOAW could use something like this:

Yeah, the WitE UI is all right. I wouldn't mind a similar one for TOAW.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: Freyr Oakenshield

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson
Here's the UI for WITE and I like it. Maybe TOAW could use something like this:

Yeah, the WitE UI is all right. I wouldn't mind a similar one for TOAW.

Well, that's it then. The WITE UI is in the majority now. So far so good.

[Freyr Oakenshield]

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

ORIGINAL: Freyr Oakenshield

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson
Here's the UI for WITE and I like it. Maybe TOAW could use something like this:

Yeah, the WitE UI is all right. I wouldn't mind a similar one for TOAW.

Well, that's it then. The WITE UI is in the majority now. So far so good.

Um..., who else is in favour of it apart from you and me...?

[Rokossovskiy]

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

Here's the UI for WITE and I like it. Maybe TOAW could use something like this:

I do not like this game. Colors boring like grey Russian winter. I would burn my computer first.

[sPzAbt653]

I don't like it, big huge buttons with silly cartoons on them like for a child. It's insulting. Please Matrix don't do that to our beloved crisp, clean and professional looking TOAW.

[Freyr Oakenshield]

Then how about this: a clean serious Windows-like UI, (VASSAL):

[Numdydar]

There are mods that improve the WitE graphics. Like the one below by Jison. If he is the graphic artist Matrix has for TOW IV then we are in good hands. Below is the map mod he made for WitE.

You can get a much better picture of what Jison has done for WitE here http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3327255

[76mm]

If they've got Jison working on this then I'll just shut up, we're in good hands.

[Lobster]

Yeah. How did the map that came with WitE ever get an award. I think the panel that did that was bribed. This modded map is hugely better and is worthy of an award. And yes, the UI is still as ugly as a pig's butt plus the game mechanics remain middle school level.

[sPzAbt653]

AHHHHH !! Please please no stupid pasty pastel Windows icons, the kind of garbage we are force fed everyday by unimaginative designers who think that everybody 'likes' Windows.

And please please no silly cartoon icons, as if we don't know how to climb a ladder or put our kids in the grocery carts !

Keep it clean and professional looking !

[sPzAbt653]

And seriously, for those that like color, Options are the key. Like we said earlier, there are several after market graphics packages designed by players that color prone players can use. And it would be extra nice if they were an incorporated option into a drop down menu.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653
And seriously, for those that like color, Options are the key. Like we said earlier, there are several after market graphics packages designed by players that color prone players can use. And it would be extra nice if they were an incorporated option into a drop down menu.

It's also important that the change take place without having to restart TOAW.

[Lobster]

Another thing. The very small line of print at the bottom that is repeated by the pop up tool tip. The tool tip is annoying in that it obscures the map. The small line of print at the bottom of the screen can be difficult to see. The tool tip needs to have an adjustable transparency. I could go for 100% transparent. And the box attached to the left side of the tool tip can go away completely. The tiny print at the bottom of the screen needs to be larger or presented in a better way. Especially for us old people.

[Lobster]

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653

AHHHHH !! Please please no stupid pasty pastel Windows icons, the kind of garbage we are force fed everyday by unimaginative designers who think that everybody 'likes' Windows.

And please please no silly cartoon icons, as if we don't know how to climb a ladder or put our kids in the grocery carts !

Keep it clean and professional looking !

Agreed. My fear is that a very small number of people have all the say as is typical of most of these design decisions. They pay attention to the yes men and ignore those with opposite opinions of the few. I don't hold out much hope. I would prefer the same old TOAW over some of the other UI I've seen.

[ncc1701e]

For your information, check the post #224 in the following thread:
tm.asp?m=3327255&mpage=8

The new WITE map was hand-made. Not sure, the adaptation to the generic TOAW tile-based graphics is possible.
I agree, in terms of graphics, would be good to have a refresh with more level of details for TOAW IV maps.

And, one thing, would it be possible to increase the existing number of native graphic tiles with plenty of new shades in order to create maps with much more possible combination?

[Freyr Oakenshield]

ORIGINAL: Lobster
...My fear is that a very small number of people have all the say as is typical of most of these design decisions. They pay attention to the yes men and ignore those with opposite opinions of the few. I don't hold out much hope. I would prefer the same old TOAW over some of the other UI I've seen.

The problem is you will never satisfy everyone. No matter what they do with the UI, some people will go "fair enough," others "great" and still others "trashy."

Besides, I have the feeling that if the UI isn't changed at all, there will be people moaning things like "greedy f..s haven't changed anything and selling it as a fresh game...," even though there may be thousands of patches under the hood... The UI is the most visible part of a game. I think it's necessary to make it look different, make it fresh.

[Numdydar]

+1

Also they would like NEW people to buy the game and the existing UI is definitely not going to help with that. All those buttons on the right actually drive me nuts since 50% of them (or more) I only use very rarely.

An effective UI needs to hide things that are seldom used while making the one used all the time easily available versus having every possible use always showing.

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: Freyr Oakenshield
Besides, I have the feeling that if the UI isn't changed at all, there will be people moaning things like "greedy f..s haven't changed anything and selling it as a fresh game...," even though there may be thousands of patches under the hood...

I think that the current UI is absolutely awful, and whatever functionality is included in the game, I won't buy it without a better UI. The current one is what, 15 years old? Call me a moaner if you will, but the current UI is very very very far from market standard.