Micro management

from Stardock Forums
Hey guys, here's something to think about:

In the original OS/2 version of Galactic Civilizations, when planets built "Stuff" they would flash up on screen (the planet dialog woudl come up) so that th euser coudl switch what they wee working on.

This became q4uite annoying later in the game so in this new version, we have that events window in the bottom right.

The problem with this is that managing your planets becomes a bit annoying because now you have to click on them, go to them and manage what they're doing.

In Civilization 3, they bring up a mini dialog that lets you easily switch projects there without showing the whole city view.

Anyway, I was wondering what you guys thought about this. What would be the best management scheme for dealing with dozens of planets?

Please no "Let's add 20 options and do them all" suggestions. ;)
217 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Hehe, well, I agree that the OS/2-versions handling of thise became annoying late on in a big galaxy.

Ehrrmm..today you can click on an entry in the lower right scrollbox to get the planet with the event up. That's very good.

for imps/social stuff:
Hmm what about...when a system isnt using a govenor (you will be able to set it at single planets, right?) then use a popup like civ3 with a list to choose from and a way to select a govenor (most probably ppl would want a govenor so the only reason for the popup is if ppl have forgotten to set that, hehe)...if it is using a govenor..the system of today is good enough.

for military:
it'd be great with a mini dialog with selections of what to build including disband/leave orbit.

IMO anyways...
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
addition...for building military stuff

if implemented, I'd like the main window to focus on the planet...so I can see in what corner of my galaxy it is...since that will affect what I want to build.

that's not neccecary for imps/social stuff...imo
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I rather like the system as it is. although the mini window does need work.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
When playing GCos/2 I was using the goveners most of the time. I would
turn a govener off for a planet where I was doing something special. When I
got a new tech and had to change the list it would cause a disruption by
switching to my new list before completing what was already in progress. This
often caused lost work. If it was working on a project taking 400 shields and
had completed 350, and I added a project that takes only 300 shields the loss
was 50 shields. This forced me to do extensive micromanagement.

I like the idea of a queue that can be brought up (sounds like this is what you
are talking about). This would allow me to look at the queue or ignore it as
I wish, or look at the list to see if there is one in particular I wish to examine
more closely.

Of course, copying CIV3 could have downsides between you and Sid. His idea
could lead to something even better.

Cheers,
Jack
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
A pop of window would be good, but later in the game when 15 planets simultaneously complete projects this would still be micromanagement hell. In Civ 3 this really does begin to irrate me when I have to spend the first 5 minutes of a turn dealing with each pop up window.
Perhaps a single pop up window for ALL colonies which have completed a project. Something like an overview window with a single line for each colony and drop down menus for social or military projects letting you set their new production. This would be something similar to the colonies button in Master of Orion 2 but with the abilit yto change things from there and not move to further screens. Within a few seconds you could therefore change production items for all x planets which have completed production this turn.

The same window could be used as an overview screen which would reduce programming.

Paul.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I do mainly agree with previous appends.
Let me summarize...
1) GOV-on: If I do reshuffle any list it pops up the situations where I loose money and I can choose between OK and finish present.
If the improvement queue is empty I want a warning.
In addition if a planet is making a wonder, GOV do not change it.
2) GOV-off: for both military and social improvements, at start of each turn we get a list of finished improvements with drop down boxes for next choice and galactic minimap showing where the planet is.

Gherardo