Would you change the graphics?

[CaptSpoogy]

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.

[Magus38]

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...

[Kimball]

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.

[Marco]

My vote is for different size icons suggested by Tampa.

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

[chewy027]

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?

[Deathstalker]

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).

------------------
"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.

[Baron Munchausen]

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! ) 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. 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).]

[CaptSpoogy]

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

[zen.]

Actually, if they could get the program to read .gifs, we could have animated planets NOW...

zen

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

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

[Trachmyr]

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.