(my) Problems with the UI in the Late Game

from GalCiv3 Forums

Hey there!

First off: I've never played any GalCiv Games beforhand. I think the game is clearly structured and I find my way around in the UI. This means: It is clear enough to understand what I do and where I find everything. Nice! I like GalCiv 3 very, very much and think it is going in the right direction. Epic map sizes, an incredible Ship Designer, the Battle Viewer is coming along nicely (the ideas behind it rock! Can't wait to get the next Beta after watching yesterdays stream) and I hear GalCivs AI is usually the best 4X AI - it is everything I ever wished for in a 4X Game.

Long story short, I think I have to click and scroll a little bit too much in the later Game. Here are my problems:

- Every time I get "turn-beamed" to a planet/starbase, I first have to close the planet/starbase UI first and have to look at the map. With that many planets and starbases in the later game I forgot which planet is where (besides the really important ones), but quickly remember it's role and my plan for it, when I look at the map. It would be nice to add a keyboard shortcut for quick map reference when I look at the planet/starbase UI OR integrate a window directly into the planet/starbase interface WHERE those are located on the map. I need to get this information faster right away with less clicks or it gets tedious. Well, right now it is tedious.

(- Side Question: On the map I can see that some planets get +50% Morale or get +25% Tourist Income. Is there a way to get this info on the Planet UI? This is the the other reason I close the window and reopen it again.)

- Furthermore: I like the UI quite a bit, but I think the lists get a little too crowded later on. With 10-12 Planets, Ships, etc. the UI holds up, but if you get 20-30 planets/ships, etc. in your lists I lose oversight. I need some tools to sort it out, maybe in creating a folder system, declare some system/ships as favorite, whatever. Something to keep the clarity when my Empire grows bigger and bigger. I think in this case the UI doesn't keep up with my growing Empire very well. Same goes for the Shipdesigns. I need to sort these designs. It's too much scrolling right now.

 

Just my 2 Cents.

Love your game and I am happy to be onboard!

 

 

 

 

26,999 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top



(- Side Question: On the map I can see that some planets get +50% Morale or get +25% Tourist Income. Is there a way to get this info on the Planet UI? This is the the other reason I close the window and reopen it again.)

 

 

Underneath your info for "Approval" and "Planetary Defense" there will be, if applicable, an Icon and title showing you what type of world it is, ie. Serene or Active Core or Desert Planet.  If you hover over this you can see the specific bonuses.  They should probably make that more prominent and easily viewable.  If there's no Icon under Defense, it's a normal planet - no major bonuses.

Unfortunately, there's no easy way to see the effects of your colonization event - which can be quite important, too.  The only way to figure it out right now is to hover over each resource and look for the bonuses/penalties.  I'd like to see that improved, too.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Turkwise, reply 1

Unfortunately, there's no easy way to see the effects of your colonization event - which can be quite important, too.  The only way to figure it out right now is to hover over each resource and look for the bonuses/penalties.  I'd like to see that improved, too.

i would like to see any ideology choices listed in the same table as the planet bonus 

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

As a very (very) long-time GC player, who loves to play on large maps, I agree with the OP that some way (like being able to view the map) when managing planets and star ports is needed.  When I've got a hundred planets it's hard to remember which ones are at the front lines and should be producing warship and defense projects and which ones are safely away from combat and could be building wonders.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

All good suggestions, I concur.