I know there have been several threads on combat already and having read through them, it's become apparent to me that there's one mechanic that I think needs to be integrated into combat (the ability to pause and speed up combat) and I really hope in starting another combat thread, this item garners some much needed attention.



I won't go over the other combat-related suggestions in the other threads but say only that there are a lot of good suggestions in them. From those suggestions, it's clear that we have a group of players who are liking the time-based, hurry-and-make-a-choice mechanic currently in place in regards to selecting battle cards.



That said, there appears to be at least as many - if not more - users who have some concerns about that mechanic.



I can appreciate those players who enjoy RTS mechanics liking the current system which forces you to make some decisions somewhat quickly in real-time (selecting battle cards). However, I'm a player who loves TBS games because I enjoy deliberating over all of my decisions and it strikes me that a large portion of the audience for this game will fall into that camp.



Right now, when a battle screen comes up because an enemy is engaging me, I find the time allowed for me to orient myself to that battle is just way too short. Trying to remember exactly which system that is - and the exact make up of my fleet in that system (oh - does that fleet have mid-range weapons? for example) before I get sucked into battle and have to choose my cards is tough. Especially in the later game with many systems and fleets - I simply can't look at a battle start screen that's happening in 'Glicus' and know what my fleet configuration is there (and there's not enough time imo to mouseover all my individual ships). I simply find it tough to process all of that info thoroughly before the timer runs out and battle starts.



My frustration continues with selecting battle cards quickly at the beginning of the battle. Given that the game is built around TBS everywhere, I personally find it a bit frustrating being forced into these quick decisions. I appreciate the devs may have made this design decision to create tension in the area of combat but I think in a genre like this, they need to appreciate that many players aren't looking for that kind of tension.



Adding the ability to pause before a battle commences and while selecting cards would alleviate this issue while not punishing those players that enjoy the tension. They can simply choose not to pause. It's a tried and true mechanic that's worked well across many genres (RPGs like Baldur's Gate or many grand strategy-style games, etc.)



At the other end of the spectrum, if pause is going to be added, some kind of fast-forward option in battles would be useful. Watching a battle play out is ok but I could see it becoming a bit tedious at some point for players.



I hope these comments are taken in the spirit they're intended - constructive criticism geared towards adding features to this game that I think will better serve a significant portion of the intended audience while preserving an existing mechanic that others might still enjoy.



Lastly, I think the devs have done a tremendous job with this game so far - hard to believe this is just an alpha. Keep up the good work!



Thanks,

Mike

Keep in mind you can inspect (by mousing over) enemy ships prior to battle on the galaxy screen, and during the pre-battle popup screen. In addition to the pre-battle cinematic, you have a good deal of time to plan cards.



I can understand the desire for a pause, though.

halflotus wrote:
Keep in mind you can inspect (by mousing over) enemy ships prior to battle on the galaxy screen, and during the pre-battle popup screen. In addition to the pre-battle cinematic, you have a good deal of time to plan cards.



I can understand the desire for a pause, though.

Yes, that's true but I think the two items you point out are the things that I find a bit frustrating... the relative lack of time from my perspective.



Yes, you can inspect fleets and battles cards on the galaxy screen but as the game progresses you could have a fair number of fleets and I, at least, can't keep those all in my head for when the pre-battle pop-up screen comes up. And there's the issue for me, when that popup is initiated by an enemy attack, it's a timed popup and you have to review everything in that time (system, relative strength, respective fleet makeups/weapons, etc) before the timer sucks you into battle. I'm just saying that's a lot to review in that time for me - and it's not always obvious before such a battle event occurs that it was going to occur in a particular system so I may have not reviewed my exact fleet makeup in that system for some turns prior.



And as to playing cards, I also guess that's my point...it seems like plenty of time for you but it seems like a lack of time to me (it's a question of perspective). Thus, some sort of pause/slowing time mechanic removes that hurdle for any users who need more time to consider their decisions. I think I'm arguing that based on how many 'please add pause or pre-battle command' comments I've seen in other threads. I'd think a fair proportion of the audience would like to see this.

The devs want a system that works the same for single and multiplayer.

Fair enough but I don't think that would exclude the ability to not have the pre-battle pop-up time down automatically. I suspect there are a number of ways to deal with this if they felt there is some merit in addressing this area. For example, the pop-up comes up for both and each clicks to proceed when they've reviewed the info.

VieuxChat wrote:
The devs want a system that works the same for single and multiplayer.

That and battles don't really tend up to go on for a long time. Other then that good idea.