That most dreaded enemy...

**Mikeus Caesar** · 03-12-2006, 15:16

Originally Posted by screwtype

The green arrows were ugly, but even after modding them out, I hated the way selected units would still light up like fluorescent bulbs. In fact, I'm suprised more people didn't complain about it. I thought it made the game look damn silly - cartoonish.

What's the point in going to all that trouble with great 3D graphics when you are just going to light up units with ridiculous colours? It beats me.

I really, really hope this technique isn't used again in M2, or if it is that you can mod it out like the arrows. It's a total immersion buster for me.

Actually, i didn't mind units lighting up like light bulbs. It was a good way of telling which men you've selected. Although i don't know why the unit flag had to bounce up and down. That was annoying...

**Alexanderofmacedon** · 03-12-2006, 16:34

Yes, the sort of help me...

Maybe I've just never played without them, but it seems like it'd be a bit chaotic without them?

**Antagonist** · 03-12-2006, 18:33

The lighting effect doesn't bother me in theory, but it's too heavy in RTW, IMO. I would have preferred a subtler effect, less bright. It wouldn't surprise me if something like the green arrows is in MTW2 by default, but I don't mind as long as they're disableable. An in-game toggle option for those kind of UI effects would be great.

Antagonist

**screwtype** · 03-13-2006, 02:44

Originally Posted by currywurry

Actually, i didn't mind units lighting up like light bulbs. It was a good way of telling which men you've selected. Although i don't know why the unit flag had to bounce up and down. That was annoying...

Okay, but the least they could do is make it moddable like the green arrows so that the people who don't like it can mod it out.

There was no such scheme in STW or MTW, and I had little trouble telling what was selected in those games.

**Trajanus** · 03-13-2006, 07:20

STW and MTW had the flag bouncing up and down. Worked fine then as was a much more "realistic" way to see where your units are.

"Form line, draw swords, insert feet into flourescent green arrow holders, CHARGE!"

Seems slightly unrealistic.

**Furious Mental** · 03-13-2006, 10:37

I think they should allow you to toggle it with a hot key.

**Orda Khan** · 03-13-2006, 12:53

OK, the green arrows look ugly and so does the unit lighting up but what subtle method would we like to see that would make a selected unit instantly recognisable on a hectic battlefield? Bobbing banners were very difficult and with same faction allies you could end up losing the unit before you found it. At least the arrows make it hard NOT to see your unit. So let's try and think of a better alternative

........Orda

**TB666** · 03-13-2006, 13:27

The green arrows were annoying so was the banners hence I turned it off.
But the lighting of the units selected was alright IMO.

**Kraxis** · 03-13-2006, 18:42

Originally Posted by Orda Khan

OK, the green arrows look ugly and so does the unit lighting up but what subtle method would we like to see that would make a selected unit instantly recognisable on a hectic battlefield? Bobbing banners were very difficult and with same faction allies you could end up losing the unit before you found it. At least the arrows make it hard NOT to see your unit. So let's try and think of a better alternative

........Orda

I liked the confusion. Not that I like confusion in general, but it just seemed to fit. Of course I swore when I selected the wrong unit to sent the right unit to the wrong flank and so on, but somehow I just seemed to accept that that was the reality of it.

Of course, I doubt I would feel as well with the pace RTW is going. So perhaps we should find something.

Apparently it has to be less than green arrows or lightbulb people, but more than a bobbing banner (before thinking it over I was considering a tilting flag).
Clearly it has to be something that affects the entire unit, all men. That alone leaves us in a situation where we are forced to accept that it can be confusing (bobbing flags) or something that just looks silly (something that affects every man in the unit).

Since it has to be like that I think the lightbulb people is a fairly good choice. For those who wants control, it is enough, and for those who hates silliness (to use a word) then it is not as intrusive.