Matrix Games Forums

When designing new models, it can be a hassle to keep track of the progress in all linear tech fields compared with currently available models to decide where the most useful upgrade would be now, plus what new weapons may be available.

It would be useful if the 'techs' tab on the model dialog included a summary for each upgradeable model line with the current linear tech levels that could/would be applied to a new model. Maybe on the line below the top-tier of each model?

Also, an indicator for whether higher-tier weapons or armor have been researched since that model was developed?

Here's a bad mockup:



Could definitely be formatted better, maybe only display the tech differences that would be built into a new model designed now?

Also, the display of linear tech improvements should be modified -- keep the existing greyed out for not-yet-discovered but use yellow-highlighting for for discovered -- this would be a good reminder that I could plan for upgrading a model if I want to plan for it in a couple turns!

It would also be useful to have some kind of different color highlighting for tech bonuses that are currently being researched and where I would want to stop and think if I want to wait to upgrade that model. Something obvious-- instead of yellow text on gray, gray text against yellow background for that cell?

This same "add an expected improvement summary below each model" plan could also be applied to the "Design" tab, in that case displaying the possible ranges for design values and attributes that could be rolled during a redesign of the model using the same equipment as the latest model but accounting for Field Testing and modifiers from improved tech.

I think together these changes would make decisions in the model design and upgrade process much faster and more straightforward, especially for players who haven't dug into the manual.

Mockup:



Mouseover tooltips for how the ranges were reached would also be cool, but are less necessary.