Planets Client functionality addition

G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.games.vgaplanets4 (More info?)

I would like the option to reorder my objects (bases, ships, etc) other
than simply in the order of creation.

I assume that there is a variable in the background that keeps track of
this order of creation (or is it a pointer?).

My suggestion is a new variable that can be modified by the User,
probably on the same screens as the Command Codes are entered.

This new variable would be limited to a value of 1-999 (in keeping with
the 3 character Command and Friendly Codes). Perhaps call it a
Priority Code, which by default is 999.

If the Priority Code is never touched, then the interface would work
exactly as it does now. The bases can be scrolled through in order of
creation. However, if the Priority Code is changed, then all objects
with a lower priority show up first.

Example:
5 bases.
Homeworld, Built First, Priority 001
Training world, Built Second, Priority 020
Shipyard, Built Third, Priority 001
Listening Post, Built Fourth, Priority 999
Farming World, Built Fifth, Priority 050

So the scrolling order would actually be 1,3,2,5,4.

With this few planets it would be fairly pointless, but in the later
game, with scores or hundreds of planets, being able to have all of
your high population worlds show up together and then all of your
training worlds show up together, or be able to group your bases by
proximity or starcluster, would be quite useful.

With the default Priority being 999, all new bases will still show up
at the end of the order, and so will still be easy to find.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.games.vgaplanets4 (More info?)

actually, I would like to be given a list of ships (sizeable window to
see the whole name if need be) and be able to select a ship from that
window. Same with planets/bases.(heck might as well for pods/mines,
etc)

You know, replace the "Ship command" window, with one that first brings
up a list of ships, then it gives you the command window. The the
order wont matter, as you have easy acess to all ships.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.games.vgaplanets4 (More info?)

I like it!
It looks like there will be no second view base, ship button. So this would
help in bigger games.



"Amaranthine" <amaranthine1@yahoo.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1109956964.364547.245100@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>I would like the option to reorder my objects (bases, ships, etc) other
> than simply in the order of creation.
>
> I assume that there is a variable in the background that keeps track of
> this order of creation (or is it a pointer?).
>
> My suggestion is a new variable that can be modified by the User,
> probably on the same screens as the Command Codes are entered.
>
> This new variable would be limited to a value of 1-999 (in keeping with
> the 3 character Command and Friendly Codes). Perhaps call it a
> Priority Code, which by default is 999.
>
> If the Priority Code is never touched, then the interface would work
> exactly as it does now. The bases can be scrolled through in order of
> creation. However, if the Priority Code is changed, then all objects
> with a lower priority show up first.
>
> Example:
> 5 bases.
> Homeworld, Built First, Priority 001
> Training world, Built Second, Priority 020
> Shipyard, Built Third, Priority 001
> Listening Post, Built Fourth, Priority 999
> Farming World, Built Fifth, Priority 050
>
> So the scrolling order would actually be 1,3,2,5,4.
>
> With this few planets it would be fairly pointless, but in the later
> game, with scores or hundreds of planets, being able to have all of
> your high population worlds show up together and then all of your
> training worlds show up together, or be able to group your bases by
> proximity or starcluster, would be quite useful.
>
> With the default Priority being 999, all new bases will still show up
> at the end of the order, and so will still be easy to find.
>
 

Magik

Distinguished
Aug 14, 2004
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Archived from groups: alt.games.vgaplanets4 (More info?)

I like the ship list idea. I would add further onto this to have the
fleet leaders show up aligned left and the fleet members of that leader
show up a bit to the right.

I don't think that the priority identifiers will help with
micromanagement, but will probably add more. There is an ID and serial
number for every object. From what I can tell they are identical, so
the ID may be able to be changed by the player, but it wouldn't be able
to be duplicated by other players.

I've added to the VGAP4 wish list (via Tim) a few enterprise management
ideas. One is to allow the player to define regions to bases and ships
(and possibly wings) so that you can perform Minister commands and
other functions based on the region. On top of this you should be able
to mark a base as a shipyard or front line depot or training base by
use of those little letters like V(iew) and M(inisters) on the base
screen. That way you can use the regions to send metals to the
shipyard, repair & ordnance to depots and food to the training base.
Further, the regions could have a map visibility toggle to show their
borders in different colors.

Magik
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.games.vgaplanets4 (More info?)

Wow. I don't think I've ever realized how much you can do with the
data grid.

I would like a bit more functionality with it though.

Being able to scroll through the list with the arrow keys would be nice.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.games.vgaplanets4 (More info?)

Also, having a button to update the data in the data grid would be
nice. Having to close and re-open (and reset all selections) can be
tedious.
So how about several buttons that save the selections? So you could
switch between Our Units:Base/Colonists:Distance from Hammer and
Enemy:Base/Contraband:Race and Neutral:planet/Natives:Amorphous at a
click of the button.