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IronManBeta -> (9/24/2002 6:45:36 PM)
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Unit counters are my end of things so I'll try to resond.
There are two unit counter sizes right now. The small ones are just big enough for a classic NATO style military icon plus a tag identifying the unit as, say, 'A/1' for A company, 1st battalion. Bare bones, but it lets you see lots of the map at once, a major consideration when most units have a lethal radius of up to 5 km!
The zoomed in map doubles the size of each location and gives me a lot more room to draw an icon. The tag moves to a vertical position to the right of the icon, a 'unit size' indicator goes at the top (I = company, II = bn, ... = platoon), and down below we have two numbers. The left hand one is the number of 'runners' ie functioning vehicles and/or infantry squads at the moment. The right hand one is a current speed rating where every 5 kph rates as 1 point. It serves as an indication of how mobile the unit is in it's present state (orders, suppression, vehicle mobility, etc). Basically it tells you if the unit is fast or slow... These are 'classic' counters instantly familiar to anyone who has played a wargame.
The big unit counters do have enough room for a very small vehicle silhouette a la Panzerblitz which would be really cool, but is way beyond my artistic abilities. We have so much other art still to do that I am not holding my breath for this one, but long run you never know.
Since we just can't cram all the info we want to onto a counter no matter how we arrange it, there is a 'unit description panel' to the right of the map that goes into much greater detail as to the current state of the unit. The exact number of vehicles that are runners, morale, fatigue, supply, current orders, spotting range, spottable range, etc. Looking at the map counters gives you a quick overview of what is where. Clicking on them to get the unit description panel filled in gives you all the juicy detail. The panel also has a nice big vehicle silhouette at the moment, but I don't know if it will actually stay. Many units are composed of multiple vehicle types and to use just one is a bit of a misrepresentation. The concept is to represent the entire company, not just the principal weapon system. We want something crystal clear that speaks to all gamers though so it can't be too complicated either. Ultimately this is another unresolved art assignment, and therefore the esteemed Marc S's problem....
One of my design issues is that not very many people are going to know, for example, what the heck a M106, M557 or M901 are. (Not to keep you in suspense, they are an M113 with a mortar, a M113 tricked out as a HQ vehicle, and a M113 with a TOW launcher up top. You probably knew that already. You've probably driven one or more of them if you hang out in this forum!) We want this game to be accessable to everyone, so we have our work cut out for us doing it right. Good graphics up front and center with a detailed explanation with pictures in reserve is my best hope for this thorny issue. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Cheers, Rob.
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