Please Fix Closing Windows

from GalCiv2 Forums

In 1.2, please implement the UI that is described in the manual, where a single keystroke is supposed to close any window.

Note that the keys in the documentation say that Esc or Enter close windows, and they don't. Esc only opens / closes the options window, and Enter tells the game to process the next turn. The only key which actually does close some windows is the Space bar - but it only closes the small windows such as when you double click on a ship.

Research windows, planet views, shipyard, diplo, etc, all require the player to mouse to the lower right to click the button to close the window, then mouse back up to whatever else they were doing. Very very frustrating, as other people have posted.

Please, fix the UI and have something (Esc or Space bar) close the windows.
6,303 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Huh? The manual always said that esc was options. However, I agree that it would be good for space bar to close up every window, especially when you get four in one turn, and need to go through them all manually.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
However, I agree that it would be good for space bar to close up every window, especially when you get four in one turn, and need to go through them all manually.


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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'm not sure whether it would actually be a fix or a new feature, but a single button (whichever it is) to close all windows would be very welcome.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Huh? The manual always said that esc was options. However, I agree that it would be good for space bar to close up every window, especially when you get four in one turn, and need to go through them all manually.


Eh, you obviously haven't read the list of shortcuts in the PDF manual :

"Enter | End turn or close current window"
"Esc | Close current window or bring up options screen"

Problem is that neither key does the "close current window" bit. Other problem is that, from a UI design POV (and yes, I program / design UIs) it's retarded to combine two options that are so dissimilar. (It might be okay if hitting Escape closed a window if a window was open, and only if a window hadn't been open brought up Options - but better to have a dedicated key or button, considering that people don't need / want the options screen that often). But conceptually, having the same key sometimes do something that has no effect on game play (closing a window) and sometimes doing something that does something irreversible (proceeding to the next turn) violates all the principles of decent UI design.

Of course - since the Enter key _never_ closes a window.... *mutter*

Also, the PDF says :

"Spacebar | Pass" - WTF does that mean? Especially considering that the spacebar _either_ closes a window (some windows like the ship orders screen), or does nothing.

Okay - admittedly, the documentation is accurate. Escape _always_ brings up the options screen. Enter _always_ ends the turn. Given the "either - or" logic of the description, it's accurate, but misleading, and might be expected of game developer doing internationalization on their game. But not from a company that is based in an English-speaking area, and that actually is more of a user-interface company than a game developer.