What to change ?

[Crimguy]

I re-installed TOAW today. It's still a great game[:)]

However, the UI needs updating. The button layout is not easy to work with as is. The courier font is not to my taste, but readable.

In short, I strongly urge the devs to look at the interface in light of the fact that the space on the screen is much bigger in 2005 than it was in 1998, and there is much more room to play with. The buttons need to be bigger, or give the user the choice of two icon sizes. I think tooltips would supplement the info bar at the bottom nicely. All the information that is shown by clicking on the counters in the top right could be in the space along the right side - it's wasted right now. The buttons could be moved to the top and organized with spacers, a la HPS games.

I like the ability to see as much of the map as possible. I like the idea of clicking on a unit, and having an info pane slide into view from the side or bottom. This would be nice in this game.

I think the maps are terrific as is, but could use a bump to 16 or 32 bit. I'm surprised how well they've stood the test of time.

I know many people here are happy with things as they are in the interface, but remember that this could be an opportunity to make it better. Please, no rubber stamps because its what you're used to - ask what could be improved.

Did I mention that a face-lift may help sales? Before anyone says it's just worthless eye-candy, remember that the more sales, the more money, the more development. This shouldn't be a surprise for anyone here, since TOAW is one of the best selling turn-based titles in history. . .

Just my 2 kopeks. Now, as I step off my pew . . .

[steveh11Matrix]

ORIGINAL: Jeremy Mac Donald

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Me too! [;)]

There's been far too much talk about changing the game seven ways from sunday. The ONLY thing I'd want to see done differently is a unit editor.

Thats more or less a yawner in my book - we have one, its called Bioeditor.

Not a very 'clean' option - it means hacking the .exe, never a good idea in my experience.

This is why we need the database opened up, so we don't have to edit the .exe file!

Steve.

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: Lava
But if the dev team starts making radical departures from the original game, they can kiss my money goodbye.

It couldn't hurt to have several display options- especially where the graphical mods already exist. Just so long as Matrix doesn't waste time with this rather than fixing bugs and adding features.

FWIW, I use the original graphics. I prefer them to all of the mods I've seen.

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: Terminus
There's been far too much talk about changing the game seven ways from sunday. The ONLY thing I'd want to see done differently is a unit editor.

...Are you SURE? There are a lot of things which could be fixed without changing the 'feel' of TOAW, but making it a much better game.

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: steveh11Matrix
Not a very 'clean' option - it means hacking the .exe, never a good idea in my experience.

Well, you create a new .exe. So if anything were to go wrong, you can always go back. What's more, nothing ever has gone wrong with the BioEd. Not in my experience.

That being said, it would be neat if an equipment editor could be incorporated into the game.

[LewFisher]

I think TOW is one of the best computer games ever published. I agree, there are certain tactics that can make it somewhat gamey. Personally, I play the game from the perspective as overall general and usually don't try to maximize impulses or use other tactics that seem unrealistic but would improve my results. However, TOW has survived and probably somewhat due to the indeph play it allows. I realize I would never beat top players so I play guys at my level and feel satified with the results.

In a similar vein, years ago I played on a ladder using Talonsoft's Battleground system. As it was a simple I go - you go system, I felt I could hold my own with anyone. I then played a top player whose attacks always came out perfect. I swear, he somehow hacked the system to change the results (or am I just paranoid).

[danst31]

ORIGINAL: Mantis
The mod shot I posted was not a request to change the graphics. It was in response to someone saying they didn't like the current look, and was an attempt to show some of what is available to players at the various forums and sites that support TOAW.

Honestly I think the graphics could use a higher contrast update myself. I'm also using the same mod as you, and think it's a very good step in the right direction. I disagree it's designer about the merits of flat tile based terrain vs smooth contoured effects. There's no reason there couldn't be multiple terrain sets provided ingame for the user to choose between however.

[Chuck2]

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

FWIW, I use the original graphics. I prefer them to all of the mods I've seen.

I use the originals too.

[Mantis]

In 5 years or more of playing this, I've never added in a Mod until just this past week. [:D] I like the original tile set, but sometimes a change is good.

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: Mantis

I think I mentioned this elsewhere, but there was a problem when they tried to merge his new account with his old, inactive one. It accidentally wiped all his posts. [X(]

Thanks, Mantis.

For continuity purposes, this is my old, formerly inactive account.

Ben.