Time for the second snap question. There has been a bit of wild growth of different counter modes with the DC games and for Shadow Empire i’d like to focus on a more limited set of styles or maybe even just one. So I’d like to know which counter style you currently prefer from the 5 styles shown below.
Loading ...Big thanks for taking the time to reflect and advise VR. The feedback is valuable to me, however keep in mind that I am not designing on a majority vote basis :)
Best wishes,
Vic
First, I’m not experienced with your games or wargames in general for that matter so I’m not exactly sure which information on the counters would be most important, and I’m also not sure how you navigate stacked counters, but I’ll offer some ideas anyways. I voted for C because it displays all of the counters on a tile at the same time which seems like it would allow for easier tracking of info and decision making. However, I’m not sure why it stacks when the camera is zoomed in further. Also, I’m of the opinion that as much of the info that is almost always important should be displayed, and the more important info should be larger than slightly less important stuff. So, for C, it might be cool if at all zoom levels the green bar (which I’m guessing is health) and the bottom number (which I’m guessing is the amount of units) be displayed in addition to the type of unit. I am guessing that the symbols in A, B, and the bottom of E as well as the text at the top of the counters is the type of unit. I would recommend only displaying one indicator of the type (and I personally think the artwork in C, D, and E is the most aesthetically pleasing way to do this).
Hey vic,
It actually takes a long time to see what is changing in each of these. I’ll state what I think you’re comparing, just in case I’m horribly wrong:
1) NATO vs. Sprite main image. Also for sprite: white shadow vs. detail image.
2) strength (readiness)/health bar on the left side vs. not
3) Counter color dependent on faction vs. HQ
I like both the NATO and the white shadow sprite, I think the full detail one makes it more difficult to distinguish between units — although maybe at the closest zoom as you have it it’s okay. I don’t like “C” zoomed in, though, nearly as much as D or E. That sidebar looks really sleek.
Which answers #2: I like the side bar. So even at zoomed-out, I prefer D over C. I don’t think it’s too much information, but I’ve also played ATG for a while and that might bias me.
I didn’t spend enough time to really figure out what you were doing with the counter background colors; I just guess that they are either colored by HQ or by faction. I have to say that the different colors in B and C (zoomed out) look nice, but I’m not sure what information they are provided, and if these colors would be confusing in the bigger scheme of things.
Cheers!
E and A together is the best for me. I have all three games Vic,the counters i have now with the artwork for barbarossa are the best and they contain A and E(id love to have these same counters for (WtPand CB) however i have nice Nato symbols on my first two games but they have the artwork from C and D zoomed in which is my least favorite :).I do like the NATO in A.The plain idea also looks nice and clean,i can see some of my friends liking this but with the artwork from E.Hope this helps.
For me the counters are what makes this Game.
I agree with Ickiestickie, although counters are a lower priority for me.