Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: canuckgamer

Aaargh, that is a long time, hopefully I'm not senile before then.

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

How many times have we seen this "loner hex", present from the Campaign Series' very beginning?



It's gone!

Good riddance, too. It looks stupid, sloppy, unprofessional. Going forward, we will now have this:



No "loner hex". And also important, the feedback "Loading..."

Why important? Think about it. When players, especially new ones, load up a scenario, they see a blank, black window. Maybe they wonder "WTF?! Has this thing crashed or something?" The "Loading..." gives them feedback, reassures them that all is well. It's User Interface 101.

I saw the "Loading..." banner in another game I loaded up recently. Good idea! So I stole it.

Implemented in the game engine and also the scenario and map editors, all games. (Very hard to get just right in all contexts, implemented imperfectly, but good enough.) Available now at Dropbox, and in future game releases.

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Where's Waldo?



Can you easily spot all of the units in that 3D map screenshot? Can you spot them at all?

In my playtesting of the Saigon '55 scenario, I am finding it nearly impossible to spot the 3D units, even with bases (and thermos) toggled ON, even at the largest 3D Zoom.

I am finding it absolutely impossible to discern the front lines, to make sense of the overall situation.

Can I switch to 2D for that? Yes, sure. But I like to dip into 3D from time to time for greater immersiveness. (Especially to discern slopes and map elevations, neither depicted very well in 2D.) I also tend to think that 2D makes things too clear. To an extent, 3D obfuscating situational awareness is a feature, not a bug. Greater Fog of War, if you will. Playing entirely in 3D can also help handicap the human player when playing vs. the AI.

Playing 3D has its pros, but a big con is -- depending on the underlying map terrain, and the colors and patterns of the unit bases -- it can be practically impossible to see the units!

In CSME, we have a partial fix for this: the CSME Monochrome Bases mod.

The Jerusalem_1_1967 scenario with standard bases:



Not quite as bad as the above CSVN Saigon '55 example, but could be clearer.

That same Jerusalem scenario, with the CSME Monochrome Bases mod enabled:



I don't know about you, but for me, with the monochrome bases, the units are generally easier to see.

How much more so if the units and bases are highlighted. See the above CSVN example...

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Already much better, with the new Display > Highlights > All Units (*):



I can discern the frontlines now! [screenshot taken before implementation of different highlight colors for the opposing sides]

It will be better still with the new "Standard [monochrome] Bases" option.

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Options > 3D Unit Bases > Standard [monochrome] / Alternate implemented. Henceforth, the earlier Monochrome Bases mod will no longer be an external JSGME mod; monochrome bases will instead be an integral part of the game.

Also note in 3D, the new Highlight All (*) option, with the current side showing the primary Highlight Color, while the other side shows the secondary (alternate) Highlight Color:



Is there this primary/alternate Highlight Color distinction in 2D also? But of course!

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Much better! Compare with the first screenshot here:



For the first time in 3D, one can clearly see the units, and the frontlines.

With Alternate Bases selected, and the Highlight All Units (*) option toggled ON:



And the preceding, but with bases toggled OFF:



Maybe for the first time ever, it is now practical to play the game in 3D with unit bases toggled OFF.

It is easy to foresee where the new Highlight All Units * hotkey will be used quite often!