Multiplayer Observer suggestions

posted on October 18th, 2009, 9:15 pm

Just some preliminary thoughts having been an observer and making recordings a few times.

Allow multi-select of ships. (I'm usually trying to show shield strength of someone's fleet after a battle when I find that I want this)

Information pop-up, while useful, seem annoying. For instance, if I happen to leave my mouse pointer over one spot for too long during a battle, the pop-up can hide the battle. Not so bad if I'm just observing, a bit worse if I'm trying to make a recording. (maybe as a tabbed panel in one of the bottom windows?)

Give some insight into the players' economy. Current status of their economy would be great. Mining rates would be nice.

(Ripping from SCII) Show production/research/build queues for each player.

[Tyler]

posted on October 18th, 2009, 9:17 pm

Last edited by Tyler on October 18th, 2009, 9:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Information pop-up, while useful, seem annoying. For instance, if I happen to leave my mouse pointer over one spot for too long during a battle, the pop-up can hide the battle. Not so bad if I'm just observing, a bit worse if I'm trying to make a recording. (maybe as a tabbed panel in one of the bottom windows?)

The game used to have an option that made the tooltips appear in a set place over the minimap. It was disabled, though. I'm not sure if there are plans for it or if it's staying out.

posted on October 18th, 2009, 9:21 pm

By typing "cine" into the screen you can disable everything (cursor UI etc). If you don't want any pop ups that is...

Ctrl I removes the interface . Not sure if you knew those already though 

Those other features you mentioned would be quite useful for observing/recording I have to agree 

posted on October 19th, 2009, 6:31 pm

usually there is a 'toggle help' button... if still there, this toggles the tooltips. This of course if you click it eventually it'll deactivate tooltips. Though I wish I had a video capture program... that way I can easily construct intro videos and teasers for mods....

posted on October 19th, 2009, 6:59 pm

As I said, it has been disabled...

posted on October 20th, 2009, 3:42 am

Unfortunately, disabling the interface would take a lot of the strategic information away from the viewer. (but good info to have)

posted on October 20th, 2009, 6:12 pm

I think that it would be nice that there would be an option for becoming observer for the rest of the game. if a player is defeated.

posted on October 20th, 2009, 8:54 pm

I agree. But only if chat was subsequently disabled for that player  (well, in a more serious game anyway)

posted on October 20th, 2009, 9:01 pm

One thing that would also be nice is if observers could chat to each other.  I don't think they can, can they?  I've observed one game and it would have been nice to chat with the other observer.  It felt a little boring just sitting there watching others play and not being able to comment on the strategies with someone else.