RTS innovations missed by TBS designers

  Alpha Centauri Forums
  The Game
  RTS innovations missed by TBS designers

profile | register | prefs | faq | search

Author Topic:   RTS innovations missed by TBS designers

Shining1 posted 02-26-99 06:27 PM ET
There are a few ideas widely used by the RTS crowd that could make TBS play a lot better (especially SMAC):
1) Unit Group/City numbers
Keys 1-0 in SMAC currently do nothing. Wouldn't it be great to be able to designate a city using one of these keys, and then be able to jump to that city and enter it from any point on the map? Or find key units or groups that way?
2) Selecting groups
Using either the Shift-click or the band box method, it would be good to be able to grab a whole bunch of units and give them a destination or target, rather than the current clumsy grouping system SMAC uses.
Saving these groups by number would save a lot of time, as SMAC can get nearly as many units towards the end as a regular RTS game.
3) Build/Order acknowledgements
With SMAC's unit queues, plus the fact that 90% of players don't ask for a popup acknowledgement when military units are produced, a verbal confirmation that this is indeed a new unit would be great. Order acknowledgements would also add personality to the units, something that is currently missing (and yes, you can turn it off if you must). Perhaps done on a per chassis basis?
I'm not saying the current interface is bad (though it could be better), but it seems that RTS designers are forced to pay much more attention to these kind of improvements than TBS designers do. As a result, they get a much cleaner, more intuitive interface (well, the successful ones do...), making the game much cleaner to play.
DanS posted 03-02-99 12:40 AM ET
Hmm... Wasn't SMG RTS?
Antiam posted 03-02-99 11:41 AM ET
3) Already implemented. When new units are produced a sound file plays when they're highlighted. It's not a "Reporting" or some other such nonsense, but there is a jet engine, assembly line, oxygen mask, etc.
As to 1) and 2) I have to agree with you. The stacking system is a little less than wonderful. And it would be nice to force groups to move with the slowest unit.
Antiam
To close this thread, click here (moderator or admin only).


Hop to:

Contact Us | Alpha Centauri Home

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Version 5.18
© Madrona Park, Inc., 1998.

Author	Topic: RTS innovations missed by TBS designers
Shining1	posted 02-26-99 06:27 PM ET There are a few ideas widely used by the RTS crowd that could make TBS play a lot better (especially SMAC): 1) Unit Group/City numbers Keys 1-0 in SMAC currently do nothing. Wouldn't it be great to be able to designate a city using one of these keys, and then be able to jump to that city and enter it from any point on the map? Or find key units or groups that way? 2) Selecting groups Using either the Shift-click or the band box method, it would be good to be able to grab a whole bunch of units and give them a destination or target, rather than the current clumsy grouping system SMAC uses. Saving these groups by number would save a lot of time, as SMAC can get nearly as many units towards the end as a regular RTS game. 3) Build/Order acknowledgements With SMAC's unit queues, plus the fact that 90% of players don't ask for a popup acknowledgement when military units are produced, a verbal confirmation that this is indeed a new unit would be great. Order acknowledgements would also add personality to the units, something that is currently missing (and yes, you can turn it off if you must). Perhaps done on a per chassis basis? I'm not saying the current interface is bad (though it could be better), but it seems that RTS designers are forced to pay much more attention to these kind of improvements than TBS designers do. As a result, they get a much cleaner, more intuitive interface (well, the successful ones do...), making the game much cleaner to play.
DanS	posted 03-02-99 12:40 AM ET Hmm... Wasn't SMG RTS?
Antiam	posted 03-02-99 11:41 AM ET 3) Already implemented. When new units are produced a sound file plays when they're highlighted. It's not a "Reporting" or some other such nonsense, but there is a jet engine, assembly line, oxygen mask, etc. As to 1) and 2) I have to agree with you. The stacking system is a little less than wonderful. And it would be nice to force groups to move with the slowest unit. Antiam