Request UI

Radix

I think that it would be easier for new players to request items via a buy menu than a hotkey. Despite the fact that you want menus out of the game, this should be the default behavior. For example, if you press x it brings up a menu with options such as resource tower, medpack, ammo, siege, static defenses, phase gate...

<b>Please note here that I am in no way advocating the removal of hotkeys, only a change in the default game behavior for new players.</b>

Additionally, I think there should be an option to have the requestor's name as well as the location actually read vocally with a machine voice, and an included "ignore token" feature so that clan tags can be skipped for a more terse commanding experience.

You could also add a red circle decreasing in size toward the point where the player was located in the commander's minimap, which would make the commanding experience more intuitive than just hotkeys or icons in the bottom left side of the screen.

It seems like it would make the comm's UI a lot nicer to have messages like "Noxolan requesting static defenses at Marine Start." than "Soldier Needs Order."

<!--coloro:lime--><span style="color:lime"><!--/coloro-->In addition to making the game feel a lot better, it would be a very "slick" demo feature to show to an employer or other organization.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--> It should definitely be optional so that players who don't want to hear it don't have to, or who want a cleaner minimap with less going on can get what they want out of the game, but I think it could actually work for both pub and competitive play, which is a great asset for any implemented element you might consider.

spellman23

Once again I feel stupid I didn't post this idea myself.

I like it.

I'm a little curious on how the menu would work. Are you suggesting something similar to the Source voice system with submenus or something closer to what is already in place with the right-click menu. Empires happens to combine them with the option of using either, but they kinda failed and made the menus too complex to get around easily. There's also the option of bringing up a menu by holding a button down, such as the reload button. Rainbow Six uses this system to swap equipment, attachments, and so on, and might be useful. The problem is the lag between when you ask for stuff might be a bit long.

Also, I'm a fan of icons on the UI, just not how they are now. I prefer something closer to how Warhammer40K: DoW works where the icons indicating special events/requests scrolls in the corner. Mainly, I dislike that the icon is singular for multiple requests, because sometimes I get some of them, but miss the others since I dropped stuff for one group but the other group got lost in all of the queued up requests.

I agree adding in names and position would help a lot.

Something to also consider is arrows on the edge of the screen. That way, you can manually go to the request or click on it to jump to the request. Civ4 uses icons like this to help manage your tiny units. The problem I forsee would be if they start stacking up and making the borders of your screen crammed. Perhaps a cvar we could control for how long we want the request to stay in the UI.

.trixX.

Sounds good!

Harimau

Yep, it gets my vote.

aNytiMe

Just 5 general categories would be nice - meds, ammo, structures, orders (those are usually hard to come by) and drugs.


Also, make every request pop up a pop-up box on the commander's screen which he must close with his mouse before he can do anything. And if he gets more than 5 pop-ups at a time, he will crash to desktop. Try to ignore my medpack requests now captain!

Bacillus

Hm, a bit similar thing. It would be nice if the marine health ring changed somehow as the marine requests for ammo for example. For example add a yellow circle around the health ring if the marine requests ammo, maybe other circles for other requests. Sometimes you don't notice the requests as you're busy medding the hiverush or something similar.

Sarisel

Anything to make the commanding experience more intuitive is desirable.

Harimau

<!--quoteo(post=1678854:date=May 18 2008, 10:36 PM:name=aNytiMe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aNytiMe @ May 18 2008, 10:36 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1678854"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Just 5 general categories would be nice - meds, ammo, structures, orders (those are usually hard to come by) and drugs.
Also, make every request pop up a pop-up box on the commander's screen which he must close with his mouse before he can do anything. And if he gets more than 5 pop-ups at a time, he will crash to desktop. Try to ignore my medpack requests now captain!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Damn, I was waiting for this. And you didn't disappoint.

the_x5

<!--quoteo(post=1678854:date=May 18 2008, 10:36 AM:name=aNytiMe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aNytiMe @ May 18 2008, 10:36 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1678854"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Just 5 general categories would be nice - meds, ammo, structures, orders (those are usually hard to come by) and drugs.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Basically keep it simple and streamlined. KISS policy. I agree.


<b>vote <!--coloro:#00CC00--><span style="color:#00CC00"><!--/coloro-->yes<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>