06-10-2001 06:35									#1
	Thumbs up for Civ 3 interface Inflate your Upload Space

I give firaxis a big thumbs-up for the Civ 3 interface. Fortunately, it seems simple enough that it isn't a distraction from the gameplay. Often, I found the Alpha Centauri interface far too crowded and complicated. It's a positive sign that perhaps firaxis made civ 3 a bit more user-friendly.

	06-10-2001 06:57									#2
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

wait till you've played the game. because you can never know how the interface is going to work till then. Of course, we hope it's going to be good.

	06-10-2001 07:03									#3
	Inflate your Upload Space

Well they did say they stripped the game down. Better funtion than fluff.

	06-10-2001 07:26									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

I specifically heard someone from Firaxis say a while ago that Civ III gets rid of a lot of the dialog boxes that popped up all the time in Civ II. to that! That was one of my biggest peeves about Civ II. I'd be playing my game and think *Ooh! My cruise missile is going to be done next turn! I can't wait!* and then see all sorts of dialog boxes telling me how the Romans abandoned SETI, how the Mongols researched Advanced Flight, then how the Indians started the Manhattan Project, then how Cleopatra wanted to see me, then how my population is 150 million, then.......

	06-10-2001 08:12									#5
	Got spare money?

I STILL havent figured anything about the SMAC interface from demo and ive played it 5 times now

	06-10-2001 10:45									#6
	Support Apolyton

The Civ3 interface is very well designed, I agree with you!!!

	06-10-2001 11:46									#7
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

I am impressed with the interface too

At least what I have seen of it in the preview screenshots and vids.

SMAX had the option to turn off all of the pop-up boxes, which was great since I never used them.

I am hoping that CivIII goes a step further and reorganizes the pop-up messages a more efficient way.

	06-10-2001 14:34									#8
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by JellyDonut I specifically heard someone from Firaxis say a while ago that Civ III gets rid of a lot of the dialog boxes that popped up all the time in Civ II.

As long as they dont replace that with a CTP/CTP-2 style passive and manually clicking turn report-system. Heres what Patriqvium had to say about that, in this similar Impressed with Interface thread:
"The CTP interface seemed to be summoned from Hell itself using some wicked rituals. First of all, the turn report system was idiotical (especially in the endgame) with 50 or so many messages popping up in the left end of the screen."

The map must automatically re-center on flashing units and orderless cities, and these cities must automatically turn to city-mode (=equivalent to city-screen). The same goes if your units bump into conflicts, or your cities rioting - the map must automatically recenter. And the jump between each new orders needed, must also be done automatically. Or at least one must be able to tweak it that way with some interface-preferences.
I would be very sad if one was confronted with an endless row of manually & formally executed mouse-clicks leading to a bleeding obvious row of units & cities without orders. OK for getting rid of Civ-2 style pop-up screens - but DONT throw out the active & automatic aspects of traditional Civ-style turn-reports, in that process.

	06-10-2001 14:56									#9
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

quote: Originally posted by Anunikoba SMAX had the option to turn off all of the pop-up boxes, which was great since I never used them.

Well, I always played with them pop-ups all turned on. It never bothered me.

OK, I realize now that Civ-3 is going to be different in above respect (especially then it comes to game-feedback that doesnt need player-interaction). And I like it - its OK by me. I just hope that Firaxis dont forget us who actually enjoy playing the game step-by-step and hands-on - with exact player control, and with automatically presented player-interactive decision-requirings.

	06-10-2001 17:29									#10
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

If we can trust all those screenshots (plus the Civ III
screensaver) and what Firaxis has revealed about
the game, I think we can expect a spanking spiffy game
that rocks like hell. Yeah, baby!

*trying to imitate the attitude advisor in Civ II*

	06-10-2001 22:29									#11
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

quote: Originally posted by Rasbelin If we can trust all those screenshots (plus the Civ III screensaver) and what Firaxis has revealed about the game, I think we can expect a spanking spiffy game that rocks like hell. Yeah, baby! *trying to imitate the attitude advisor in Civ II*

Yea everything is looking good!!! So this should be a great game!!!

	06-10-2001 22:42									#12
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

to bad it wont be in windowed mode, i kinda liked being able to play civ 2 in 1600x1200 back in 98'

	06-10-2001 22:56									#13
	Increase Your PM Length

quote: Originally posted by Jahi to bad it wont be in windowed mode, i kinda liked being able to play civ 2 in 1600x1200 back in 98'

Yea, but FIRAXIS always make look good no matter if it is windowed or not!!!

	06-10-2001 23:21									#14
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by java4me Yea, but FIRAXIS always make look good no matter if it is windowed or not!!!

Pro-Firaxis campaign under away?

	06-10-2001 23:23									#15
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by Rasbelin Pro-Firaxis campaign under away?

LOL

You got that right!!!

	07-10-2001 01:43									#16
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

well, it the non-windowed version plays in 1600x1200 i'll be happy :P

	07-10-2001 01:55									#17
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Originally posted by Jahi well, it the non-windowed version plays in 1600x1200 i'll be happy :P

That's a good point for any "notebook and TFT flat monitor" player.
As anyone know TFT screens are usually built to display better a single resolution (e.g. 1024*768 or 1600*1200).

Any other resolution will be interpolated, hence showed with less clarity, jagged definition, etc.

Can Civ III work nicely in any resolution upper the minimum required? I'm afraid not...

	07-10-2001 01:59									#18
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

quote: Originally posted by Dida wait till you've played the game. because you can never know how the interface is going to work till then. Of course, we hope it's going to be good.

I agree with you. A clean desk as in Civ III screenshots seems good, but only a real interaction with the game will prove any interface good or wrong.

TBS have a great advantage over RTS: a quick access to any command is not always needed.

	07-10-2001 02:06									#19
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

I like what I'm seeing in the screenshots also. I thought the CTP2 interface was pretty good, but it could turn into a clickfest. Civ3 looks fairly smooth.

quote: Yea, but FIRAXIS always make look good no matter if it is windowed or not!!!

You a stockholder or something?

	07-10-2001 02:34									#20
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

the newer laptops will 'smooth over' alternate resolutions so the jaggedness will go away. but before i got my current laptop with its ultra xga screen i played on my desktop at home at 16x12. i just like seeing the 'whole world' at once lots of scrolling around always bugged me.

	07-10-2001 02:41									#21
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

yes it looks nice...but does it still maintain custom keyboard shortcuts? or eve just keyboard short cuts. if not, then the i dont care what kind the interface looks like, it would suck.

so, let me pose a question to Firaxis:
Whats the deal with the keyboard shortcuts in relation to the GUI and movement? i.e. are there any keyboard shortcuts, and if so, are they customizable? (awww come on firaxis...i already pre-ordered LE...its a good question too! )

	07-10-2001 20:58									#22
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

quote: Originally posted by java4me You got that right!!!

Are they paying you for this?!?

If yes, could contact me privately
(of course, I don't want to share this information )
and tell me how you got this job. I want your job!
Sitting all day and sending messages to Ape! Jeeze!