Creative Assembly One of the better ideas I had... [Archive]

Mithrandir

10-26-2002, 18:50

http://members.home.nl/jvanbaars/mini.gif

How about having a little indicator in the minimap showing you where you troops are (if you click a unit you get a little signal). This way you dont have to travel all the way to the other side of the map just to know where it is. This way you can very quick see where the unit is...

if you're thinking about "realism" dont bother since how realistic is it for a medieval general to have a complete satelite map of the area http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif.

Hope this can be put in the patch? (or a future game)

a reply 'd be apreciated.

Thanks,

-Mithrandir-

ToranagaSama

10-26-2002, 19:55

Isn't it possible to see your troops already?

Coeur De Lion

10-26-2002, 20:13

yeah just move around the map it aint that hard, i dont use the map anyway just gets in the way

Mithrandir

10-28-2002, 02:18

it takes time, a very precious thing during battle...

which disadvantages does it bring ?
-None
That's right, none... so please put it in a patch...

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Boondock Saint

10-28-2002, 02:22

Mini map? You use that thing?

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Papa Bear!

10-28-2002, 02:24

actually doens't a ping already show on units? They flash white or something... (or maybe thats just your general)...

Mithrandir

10-28-2002, 02:27

That's just the general...

I'd really like it if it was introduced...

makes the battles a bit less chaotic... weehhee, medieval battles were chaotic..weehee. I don't give a penny, I'd like that feature as it saves times&men...

please consider it and tell me why you'll (won't) patch it...

solypsist

10-28-2002, 02:39

you guys are so easily manipulated...can't you see this is all just a pretext for Mith to show off his newfound ability to use the Photoflash effect of his PSP?

I hafta admit...he's come a looooong way in the quality of his pic modding.

Sir Chauncy

10-28-2002, 03:11

I agree Mith, I think that it would be a smashing addition. Many are the wasted minutes that have been spent swinging the camera from one side of the battlefield to the other when a unit has been harried off the field.
By the way, cracking photoshop shop skills mate http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif

sapphoo

10-28-2002, 13:40

i think that myth can use a bit more practice with photoshop and I still don't get it what he means exactly

Mithrandir

10-28-2002, 13:52

Quote Originally posted by solypsist:
you guys are so easily manipulated...can't you see this is all just a pretext for Mith to show off his newfound ability to use the Photoflash effect of his PSP?

I hafta admit...he's come a looooong way in the quality of his pic modding. [/QUOTE]

Yea, I always "Show off" the most simple thing like a lens flare (in PS btw.). http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif
I just wanted to show what I meant...

MPTV

10-28-2002, 13:58

Just doubleclick the flag of your unit on screen and camera will go to your unit's location.

GilJaysmith

10-28-2002, 15:32

Quote Originally posted by Mithrandir:
please consider it and tell me why you'll (won't) patch it...[/QUOTE]

The minimap already shows you where your troops are. That's what the coloured smeared rectangles are. Or am I totally misunderstanding the question?

The minimap takes a while to draw so we update it over the course of a few seconds, but the coloured dots show you approximately where all the troops are that you can see, including the enemy. If you pause the game for a couple of seconds the map has a chance to catch up and will become completely accurate.

The general's unit has a flashing dot, but otherwise, there's no way to tell from the minimap which unit is which. Is that what you mean?

Mithrandir

10-28-2002, 19:45

Quote Originally posted by GilJaysmith:
The general's unit has a flashing dot, but otherwise, there's no way to tell from the minimap which unit is which. Is that what you mean?[/QUOTE]

yup, if you select a unit (so you can control it), it'd be nice to know it's position without having to go over there, which can cost very pricey seconds in battle...

[This message has been edited by Mithrandir (edited 10-28-2002).]

Sjakihata

10-28-2002, 20:20

Gil. he means that the red dot representing a unit should flash white.

When the mini map is small it is difficult to see which units is what, all is just red where you are (if ur are a red colour).
And in MP it is not possible to pause, in SP you have plenty of time.

Nice idea mith, although I love the battle being chaotic http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Mithrandir

10-29-2002, 01:21

Quote Originally posted by Sjakihata Akechi:
Gil. he means that the red dot representing a unit should flash white.

When the mini map is small it is difficult to see which units is what, all is just red where you are (if ur are a red colour).
And in MP it is not possible to pause, in SP you have plenty of time.

Nice idea mith, although I love the battle being chaotic http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif[/QUOTE]

That's exactly what I meant http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/biggrin.gif. Thanks http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif.
I like the chaos too, but I'd like some order in the chaos http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif., very often when I need more units in the battle, I have to travel all the battle map just to point a new target for the unit while the battle rages on, mostly in my disadvantage http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/frown.gif. and indeed, I never use pause, and in MP games tisn't even possible...

Dionysus9

10-29-2002, 01:30

I like your idea Mith, but unfortunately it will never make it in this patch (if it even exists) and I wouldnt expect them to make such a change until the next game comes out--expansion at least.

But good idea. One spec of red kinda gets lost in the tiny confines of the minimap whith swirls of moving color all around it. A little flash of light on the minimap when you selected a unit would be nice. Perhaps you would not have to navigate the map at all if you could see there was a clear line between the unit and the location you wanted it to move to.

good idea

Hakonarson

10-29-2002, 03:57

The minimap already shows troops as spots of their faction colour, adn the generals as flashing white.

I think he's asking for the ability to click on a coloured spot that is your troops and go there instantly?

Dionysus9

10-29-2002, 12:45

nah, he is asking for a little flare signal to appear on the minimap at the location of the unit you just clicked.

Mithrandir

10-29-2002, 19:40

yea, to change the colour of the currently selected unit in the minimap, which would normally be red (when danes ?) and if you select a unit, the unit on the minimap turns another distinct colour...

KILLAM

10-30-2002, 05:36

Quote: "yup, if you select a unit (so you can control it), it'd be nice to know it's position without having to go over there, which can cost very pricey seconds in battle..."

Yes I know what you mean. When some of your units have routed and are far away and then regroup. You can see that in the lower left corner (unit flags along the bottom left of screen)that is available...but where are they and are they close enough to come into the battle your fighting at the moment? By selecting the unit flag (bottom left) the mini map should flash the location of the unit. I dont care about the flashing general unit on the mini map. I would prefer the unit you have selected to flash instead, so you know straight away where it is. The alternative is to double click on the unit to let the camera view to swing in behind it. It can be confusing to do this if you snap the camera straight behind them, as you can get disorientated.

I want the camera to stay on the main battle and when I click the unit flag the mini map flashes its location. That way I know if I can use it now in the current battle or need to just move it into a support role and bring another unit closer to backup instead.

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Richard the Slayer

10-30-2002, 05:55

Quote Originally posted by Mithrandir:
http://members.home.nl/jvanbaars/mini.gif

How about having a little indicator in the minimap showing you where you troops are (if you click a unit you get a little signal). This way you dont have to travel all the way to the other side of the map just to know where it is. This way you can very quick see where the unit is...

if you're thinking about "realism" dont bother since how realistic is it for a medieval general to have a complete satelite map of the area http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif.

Hope this can be put in the patch? (or a future game)

a reply 'd be apreciated.

Thanks,

-Mithrandir-[/QUOTE]

Actually its pretty realistic a general has a satelite map, most commanders carried some kind of local map of the area, plus the actual areas over which battles were fought were very small, usually less than 2 miles square, allowing a general to view the entire action as it unfolds. The biggest problem with multiplayer isnt the ability to use signal (AOK anyone?) but the fact that both sides have no time to discuss their stratgeies before hand or formulate a coordinated strategy.

Mithrandir

10-30-2002, 21:47

well http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/Creative_Assembly.gif ? Is it possible ?

Hope so, it'd help much.

so last time formulated once more in another fashion :

When you select a unit, I'd like the unit to light up and blin in two different colours on the minimap. So suppose you were Danes and you'd select a unit, the unit would blink on the minimap from red to lime and from lime to red again.

Thanks a lot in advance.

-Mith-

MizuKokami

10-30-2002, 23:24

the mini map has a cone on it that shows your camera view. if you double click on a unit, the cone moves to where that unit is. then double click on your general, and you now have an idea of where your unit is on the map.

Mithrandir

10-31-2002, 01:03

Yes, and while you do that you completely lose track of where you are, your army get's butchered and you lose valuable seconds... GRRR haven't you read tha thread?

Forgive me...I await an answer...

tootee

10-31-2002, 11:46

I use the mini-map on MP *shrink it to a real small one*

Useful to keep one oriented in the right directions *sometimes my allies in 4v4 (the 4th army) deploy facing the wrong way, I know they arent using it hehe*

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Richard the Slayer

10-31-2002, 11:52

Quote Originally posted by Mithrandir:
Yes, and while you do that you completely lose track of where you are, your army get's butchered and you lose valuable seconds... GRRR haven't you read tha thread?

Forgive me...I await an answer...[/QUOTE]

War is hell. - William T. Sherman

Richard the Slayer

10-31-2002, 11:53

anymapkoku

10-31-2002, 12:04

I don't think it's really that useful to have the minimap flash when you've selected a unit. There's really not that much you can learn by looking at the unit's position on the minimap, and if you did look at it's position on there, you'd jstu have to look back at the game to make a real decision anyway. Which is something you can do without the flare on the minimap. I guess late in the game it might be a good idea and useful for reorganizing rallied units or directing them back to the battle. Usually the battle's finished by then anyway, but it might be convenient at that point.

TheViking

10-31-2002, 12:21

They could get rid of the minimap totally it would b more fun that way. Cuz u can c the enemy on that b4 u can on the screen.

I know i can turn it of and i do so when i play SP. But playing MP i have it on cuz im sure that 99.99% of all MP´s use it.

And the blinking thing what would it b good for if u have that u dont "go" to ur units to check how they r doing. And fog and heavy rain wouldnt b fun playing in if u can "see" where all ur units are.

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Richard the Slayer

10-31-2002, 12:29

Quote Originally posted by TheViking:
They could get rid of the minimap totally it would b more fun that way. Cuz u can c the enemy on that b4 u can on the screen.

I know i can turn it of and i do so when i play SP. But playing MP i have it on cuz im sure that 99.99% of all MP´s use it.

And the blinking thing what would it b good for if u have that u dont "go" to ur units to check how they r doing. And fog and heavy rain wouldnt b fun playing in if u can "see" where all ur units are.

[/QUOTE]

agree totally. i use the mini map for little more than a reference. the map itself is fine, but the inclusion of units on it is not only un realistic but most people dont bother looking at it. if anything its a helpful little pointer, but keeping your eyes front forward is often more useful than looking at the map.

KukriKhan

10-31-2002, 12:50

While he's waiting for a dev answer, I must say that I can see the utility of a flasher on the mini.

My primary view is the pitched battle directly forward - my cav is chasing thunderbomba's off the map, my archies are maneuvering up the hill...damn it, I need that cav back, are they done, where are they? Clicking the icon tells me they're marching/attacking. A flasher would tell me where (and relatively how far away, so I could decide to wait for their return, or go on without them).

However, coding might be a prob. Dunno.

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anymapkoku

10-31-2002, 14:54

Well the thing is kukri you know relatively where your cav are anyway. You've got to look at the cav on the main battle screen anyways before you give them orders, unless you want to blindly order them back towards the battle, in which case their position doesn't matter to you. Suppose you know that your cav is behind the enemy? But looking at the flashing dot on the mini map, does that tell you fi it's about to be attacked? Is it chasing a router? Can it be ordered back the the battle without being intercepted by a spear? Either way you have to look at it on the main screen unless you give it blind orders.
If you double click really fast and zoom there, you can give it an order and then double click on the next unit you need to give orders to, or to reoriented your view of the battle.

KukriKhan

10-31-2002, 18:42

hmmmm....good point anymapkoku. And if I clicked unit icons very quickly in succession in a frenzy to find out where everybody was, I'd have an incomprehensible Christmas Tree-like mini-map, sucking up CPUcycles.

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