Some suggestions to improve the Combat Viewer, comments please:)

from GalCiv2 Forums
I think it needs a almost total overhaul...

The ships seem to just randomly fly around and shoot at each other, I find this neither very realistic or enjoying.

It would be awesome if the player had more control over what happened in these battles, like the option of different formations, attack patterns, ect. Of course you would have the option to automate these battles, kind of like Rome: Total War.

I don't know if this would take away from the game and what you want it to be viewed as but I think this would be a great improvement. I have also talked to many people about this game and not everyone likes just the turn base style but say thet would buy the game and enjoy it more if battles and such were not automated.

This could be applied to ground invasions also.

Otherwise, great game!

Anyone else have comments?
6,056 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
well, the new combat system is coming soon (the beta for 1.2 is bieng planned for release this coming memorial weekend), so we probably should wait and see how it looks and how it works with that new system because it'll be one thing if we keep the new system and another if we don't.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Know what? I'm really starting to think that the combat viewer was a bad idea for StarDock to begin with.

They have these ships flying around that are begging for some silly RTS-style play. But they don't add it because it's a TBS.

Nobody complains that Civ doesn't have tactical battles the way Rome: Total War does. Why? Because the game isn't rubbing your face in the fact that it doesn't have tactical battles. It isn't showing you a high-quality movie of some epic battle scene; you just see the results.

Maybe StarDock shouldn't have bothered. They'd certainly get fewer, "I want tactical battles" requests.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
you're entitled to your own opinion anyway.

however, I think having that helps make GalCiv2 unique, I know other games probably have those combat viewers, the concept is not new, but it gives the game some 'flavor' so to speak.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would like some ability to make strategic choices about the battle (but I wouldn't want a realtime tactical battle). Perhaps something like: retreat, cautious (lower randomness, some loss of combat ability), normal, aggressive, risky plan, kamakazi.

-- David
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
battles need to be longer.. and there has to be actual movement...
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The stated reason by Brad for not having more RTS-esque battles is that while they would be able to whip it up real fast creating an AI that utilizies it correctly is too time consuming.

Perhaps in GCIII?
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The combat viewer is frustrating. All the trouble we go to make the great-looking ships, then we barely get to see them except in the ship building/shipyard views. I have to agree with the poster who said the combat viewer may not be worth it. Combat is just a few seconds of random motion and reduced-quality visuals...it doesn't take long before you don't even bother watching it. I have no idea what the solution is, but the "3D engine" aspect has been overstated and over-rated.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To reduce the bumper car effect.....

Why don't you guys try reducing to 1/2 speed and try yje the free moving camera and orbiting and center views.

In the free camera view, right click and drag the image to the left or right until you are just between the approaching fleets. You can zoom out and in with the center mouse wheel. Hit restart on the bottom to start the action from the beginning.

In a major battle try all the other views. I like starting with the cimematic view then replay with the free camera view both with the ship stats off. Bit of tension there if the battle is anywhere close to see whose ships start blowing up first.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
OK, there will be no tactical combat in GC2 Stardock says. Period.
Would have loved to have some easy things like conditional (e.g. Retreat after 50% casualities) or immediately (at minimal) RETREAT before the battle begins. Rule: nonretreater has one shoot at retreater before retreat happens.
This is something that shouldn't be to complicated to train the AI to use itself.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Maybe no taticle control then but at least some tatics added so the ships do not just randomlt fly around and shoot...