Would you change the graphics?
 

Here is a question that I was curious about:

In the next Space Empires game, would you want sophisticated 3D graphics (Like Homeworld) or something along the line as Space Empires IV?

I like having the simplier graphics because I'm able to include my own ships - that adds a lot of fun to the game.

I wouldn't mind the advanced 3D graphics if I was able to still add my own ships.

So, I'm kind of in the middle.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

I might beef them up a bit, better artwork, more detailed shipsets, better space effects, but certainly not the kind of 3D you'd see in homeworld. Perhaps 3D rederred models of the type you see in games like Total Anihilation. Mostly just detail and artwork would be enough. Personally too much of a focus on graphics can take away from the depth of a true turn-based wargame. Developers are tempted to "simplify" and "streamline" in order when that direction is taken I have found...

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

It doesn't really matter what is done with the graphics for the next Version. The game is about strategy. The graphics are a bonus, not a necessity. I like the graphics in SE IV better than SE III, but it is the game that keeps my interest.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

My vote is for different size icons suggested by Tampa.

[This message has been edited by Marco (edited 05 April 2001).]

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

I could care less what the ga,e looks like, just give me better gameplay and a tougher opponent. Also, if the graphics got too complex how could us lowly modders make our own ship sets? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

As far as graphics go I would like to see this game equal Moo2, and thats about it. The more eye candy the less 'real game' I find these days. That and it would be hard to mod/make shipsets for increased graphics. I would definitly like to see the beam graphics increase (want to see a Steller Converter type graphic for the Wave Motion Gun, now that would be cool).

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"The Empress took your name away," said Chance.
Owen smiled coldly. "It wasn't hers to take. I'm a Deathstalker until I die. And we never forget a slight or an enemy." -Owen Deathstalker.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

Yeah, I'd change the graphics. I'd ditch the 'stoopid' neon-blue color scheme and go back to plain pastel windows that can be independently adjusted (i.e. SE 3! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif ) and I'd restore right-click menus.

As far as the ship graphics, they can't be improved any more. 24-bit color exceeds the ability of the human eye to distinguish colors. It's no longer a matter of how good the PROGRAM is, it's a question of how good the graphic artists are. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif A few extra details in stellar features might be nice, though. Comets that actually move through the system, planets that orbit (slowly!) from turn to turn would be nice. But for that I think you'd need a much finer grid in the system window which would mean smaller ship graphics unless you use a sliding window like the combat display. A system with say 30X30 cells would be nice, though.


[This message has been edited by Baron Munchausen (edited 05 April 2001).]

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

Cool.

I'm glad that everyone's not demanding they go to 3D advanced graphics...

I would like to see the portrait pictures increased to 192x192 and the mini pictures increased to 64x64 - so you could see more detail that is put into the pictures.

(This has become one of my more popular post)

Visit the Spoogy Fedetaion, http://spoogyfederation.tripod.com

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

Actually, if they could get the program to read .gifs, we could have animated planets NOW... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

zen

::edit::arrrrgh....my grammar sux

[This message has been edited by zenbudo (edited 05 April 2001).]

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

Agreed, Improve the current style of grapics... but no need for advancement.

But deffinately make their be size diffrences, and I would love if the units were programed with variable colors that you could change in the game.

For Instance:
Each unit has say 2 or 3 variable color fields that can be chosen during design.
This way you could eaisly distinguish diffrent types of ships that are in the same weight class.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

Besides, a more graphically intense SE wouldn't run on my P133.
(wow, a <4 page post! I'm getting better!)

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There is an exception to every rule. Including this one.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

Awhile back, this was discussed (Dec.) Realizing that this is an SE5 item, my vote would be for different size units (ala AoA:WDK 2K) (currently all units except planets are the same size in tactical) and a slightly higher per pixels so that artists can take advantage of it.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

They can do anything they want with the graphics as long as I don't have to upgrade my video card or computer.
I going to have a tough enough time explaining to my wife why I must absolutely, positively, no doubt about it have to buy SE5. Don't make my job harder http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

Space Empires needs a serious boost in the Eye Candy department. I haven't played a game of SE4 in weeks. Why? I feel no attachment whatsoever to my games. The universe has no *feel* to it. Things like good sound effects, voices, and emmersive graphics add to the ambiance of a game, and overall improve the experience. Just imagine if SE5 had an engine similar to Starfleet Command or Far Gate, imagine rotating your camera view around the planets of a system, or looking at your 50-ship fleet with an over the shoulder view as it closes with the enemy.

I've been playing Star Wars Rebellion for the Last few days. The gameplay is nowhere near as in-depth as SE4's, but it holds my attention because I feel like I'm in the SW universe and actually doing something. When C-3PO yells that Imperial troops are invading one of our planets, I care. Bells and whistles add emotion to Rebellion, whereas in SE4 I always feel detached from what my empire is doing.

As for customizability, most 3d games can be altered; there are dozens of user-made mods for Half-Life, Homeworld, Starfleet Command, Klingon Academy, etc. It requires higher-end software (usually 3d studio max), but you can use a full 3d model instead of a tiny rendered bitmap of it.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

I disagree - other than slight improvements to graphics where for example its difficult often to actually see the ships in the map view. I would tend to concentrate on gameplay improvements (see my other wishlist post).

This is becuase the designers can only spend a certain amount fo time per game and if you go down the 3D route youll lose all the special things that this game has over any other - variation and loads to do and ability to play in any way. Introducing fancy graphics would be a really bad idea to me.

Take a look at Imperium Galactica 2 for example. Its a terribly stale game becuase the time spent on graphics should have been spent on the gameplay and adding a dynamic campaign. Its far too linear. I would hate to see this game go down that route. Mind you teh graphics of the battle viewer could do with improvement. But its not important to me.

Nats

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

If the choice MM has to make is between gameplay and graphics I hope they choose gameplay.
The discount bins are overflowing with great looking software passing themselves off as games.

Re: Would you change the graphics?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I've been playing Star Wars Rebellion for the Last few days. The gameplay is nowhere near as in-depth as SE4's, but it holds my attention because I feel like I'm in the SW universe and actually doing something.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Hmm, I never finished a game of Star Wars Rebellion because it got so dull and frustrating. My characters were routinely failing missions, the computer was outproducing me like crazy, every time I managed to sieze a planet, the computer would grab one or more somewhere else. I found SWR was more interesting as an encyclopedia of SW trivia than as a game.

Improving the eye candy in SE4 would be nice, but IMO it takes a distant second to gameplay.

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Cap'n Q