Inputs on Resource Graphics

[cracker]

This is one of those issues that basically should be a players choice issue within the range of not exploiting a leak in the programming code that can let these graphics be exploited in extreme cases.

Once the problem has been pushed to an exposed level, a little shopping around leads to several conclusions:

• a number of resources graphics mods worked to legitimately increase the clear visibility of resources
• many resources graphics mods never even considered updating the built-in contrast and shadows image mask
• The PTW resource graphics were updated from one of these user level graphics mods, but these changes became disconnected from the built-in shadow masks
• In a number of cases, resource visibility is impaired by how the terrain graphics are layered and has nothing to do with the resource graphics themselves. This problem is most pronounced in multicell jungle and forest locations.

With all these issue in mind and while implementing procedures that can detect and prevent some rare negative behaviors plus solve som long term game logistics issues, we can implement graphics packs that improve the visibility of resources in the GOTM games while still maintaining some consistent standard of control to exclude some graphics modifications that should be disallowed.

Here are sample images of the updated resource graphics with the contrast and shadow masks properly repaired and updated. These resource graphics can be combined with Letter ID blocks ans smilie faces for luxuries plus the option to add bonus ID blips that shown the raw added food, gold, and/or shield from the resource. This final addition is the most risky because of the interference factor from the base terrain graphics that can be rendered over the top of the bonus blips for adjacent resources.

NOTE: the images displayed below are in compressed xx.jpg format and do loose some color and clarity compared to the actual ingame appearance.

Standard terrain graphics with contrast enhanced resources only:

Standard terrain graphics with contrast enhanced resources and resource ID badges:

Standard terrain graphics with contrast enhanced resources and resource ID badges and bonus blips displayed:

Snoopy terrain graphics with contrast enhanced resources only:

Snoopy terrain graphics with contrast enhanced resources and resource ID badges and bonus blips displayed:

Warpstorm terrain graphics with contrast enhanced resources only:

Warpstorm terrain graphics with contrast enhanced resources and resource ID badges and bonus blips displayed:

(note that in all the image examples the added features of ID badges, smilie faces, and bonus identity blips have not been integrated into the contrast enhancement/shadow masks. This may be doen to further enhance the legitimate visibility fo these features.)

 

[Bamspeedy]

Isn't it possible to just edit the FogOfWar.pcx file to blanket the whole tile? This way people can use whatever graphics they want (if the FOW covers the entire tile, and the resources don't stick outside the tile), and players would only need to install the special FogOfWar.pcx file to play the GOTM.

This would cause us to be unable to see perhaps an edge of some terrain (mountians, etc.), that we would otherwise be able to see in a normal game, but it would give no advantages to those with better screens/screen resolution/eye vision, etc.

Because with all the different terrain graphics out there, sometimes you can see a forest (for example) under the fog, and sometimes you can't, depending on which graphics you use. I know one version of Snoopy's that I like using except for one problem-it gives me a handicap because it is so hard to tell the difference between sea and ocean, due to the colors being so similar.

 

[acivguy]

My personal preference is just smileys by luxeries, and the badge by resources. I don't see any need for the bonus blips, although I don't object to them.

 

[denyd]

It would seem if every contestant uses the same graphic set, there would be no advantages for any player, so why not include a standard GOTM graphic set with each game. The pack could be varied from month to month to allow the players to view new alternate terrain packs, possibly settling on a single GOTM agreed upon (if that's possible) graphic set for all players to use for all GOTM's.

Just my 2 cents

 

[CruddyLeper]

Warp stone with ID and blips looks the best to me - but I think preference should be handed to those with visual problems.

What I mean is, I honestly don't care - but I'm sure others do and their needs should be considered before normally sighted players.

That's my 2 cents

 

[Creepster]

I too like the idea that this is a personal choice. I am rather fond of the snoopy graphics package, and trying to get used to another graphic would annoy me a bit. I would get used to it but I am rather fond of the graphics I have.

 

[cracker]

Just to make sure I did not confuse the issue here, all we are looking at is the resource graphics icons. I just spun out examples of the graphics shown on top of three of the umptee umpt gizzilion terrain graphics packages.

I think we can support all three of the resource graphics options if that is what will make the largest number of people happy.

It might be nice if we could agree to have the version of the Resources with the ID Badges and Smilies included in the download gamepack, but to have the plain version and the verison with the bonus blips available for a separate small download. This would just be an attempt to keep it as simple as possible.

PTW players will have a slight procedural advantage here because we can use the internal files designator in the game setup. The Civ3v1.29 players will need to manually swap the graphics in and out as required.

 

[LKendter]

I think Bamspeedy's FogOfWar solution would have been the best. The bad news is that PTW internalized the FogofWar. I went into the terrain directory, changed mountains and instant chance. NOTHING would affect FogofWar. The best solution is not available.
I am really annoyed with the FogofWar solution not being available as non of the solutions are as visable as what I am use to.


The bonus blips are pretty are not worth it as they are hard to read for me. The resource ID badges are the best of what we have to chose from.

 

[Ambiorix]

Originally posted by denyd
It would seem if every contestant uses the same graphic set, there would be no advantages for any player, ...<snip>

... or no mods at all, I hope. I'm not using any mods and don't intend to start using them.
In any case everyone using the same set seems unlikely to me.

 

[Ribannah]

I'm much in favour of a GOTM graphics modpack, where everything is 100% under the Fog of War. This saves all of us precious time of frantically searching the display for those few pixels that stick out with Firaxis' graphics ....

To be perfect there should be 4 options: plain, dots only, letters only, dots & letters, of which I'd probably use the dots only version.

 

[Green Light]

Originally posted by cracker
I think we can support all three of the resource graphics options if that is what will make the largest number of people happy.

It might be nice if we could agree to have the version of the Resources with the ID Badges and Smilies included in the download gamepack, but to have the plain version and the verison with the bonus blips available for a separate small download. This would just be an attempt to keep it as simple as possible.

Sounds very good Those who dont want to use mods, dont have to download them, but us who have gotten used to Skanky Burns or other resource mods, would very likely download the GotM resource pack.

 

[DaviddesJ]

If we're modifying the graphics for everyone, should we require players to use a mod which hides those resources that currently stick out slightly (like Wheat)? I feel that I'm at a disadvantage relative to those who spot these resources based on a couple of pixels that they can see on their monitor but I can't see on mine, or who use "zoomer" programs to see stuff that I can't see. (Note that most LCD displays have much less color depth than CRTs, so it's harder to spot most resources on LCD displays.) For what it's worth.

 

[DaviddesJ]

P.S. The resources with badges and dots look ok to me---personally I'd be satisfied with these.

 

[Ribannah]

Originally posted by DaviddesJ
If we're modifying the graphics for everyone, should we require players to use a mod which hides those resources that currently stick out slightly (like Wheat)? I feel that I'm at a disadvantage relative to those who spot these resources based on a couple of pixels that they can see on their monitor but I can't see on mine, or who use "zoomer" programs to see stuff that I can't see. (Note that most LCD displays have much less color depth than CRTs, so it's harder to spot most resources on LCD displays.) For what it's worth.

Until such time that Firaxis fixes those pixels in a patch, I think it should indeed be mandatory.

 

[Smirk]

This is what I would like to use.

(The conversion to gif to post messed it a bit.)