Multiple monitors

How about a somewhat reconfigurable map that can be placed on multiple monitors. For example, right now when you choose a galaxy size you basically get a 5x5 or 6x6, etc. grid. How about you get an additional configuration option to choose the shape of the "grid" For example, instead of having a 6x6 square (i.e. 36 tiles) you get a choice of what shape the 36 tiles should be arranged in - like maybe an "L" shape, or a Rectangle shape, or allow you to design your own galaxy shape - maybe you could design a more "spiral" looking galaxy. The point is you get to place the tiles in whatever shape you want as part of the initial choices when you start to play the game.

The shape could extend across more than one monitor of course, but if you are stuck with a single monitor, or you have a monitor setup in portrait mode for your second monitor, the ability to design your own galaxy shape would allow you to fit it better to your monitor display as well.

Just a thought.

Successfully updated karma reason!

I don't care how they do it, but yes I'm all for multi monitor support as my new pc will have two...

Successfully updated karma reason!

I can't see this happening. That's double the amount of UI data that would need refreshing. But simply screen-printing your starmap or research tree into a word.doc could help plan things. Would the game have to be run in windowed-mode?

Successfully updated karma reason!

androshalforc

Join Date 03/2007

+62

Quoting ,

quoting post

For all the talk about the maps and interface and ship designer (All of which makes me resemble a lonely island song) one thing that I haven't seen discussed yet is multiple monitor support.

Imagine being able to put the colony management screen on a separate window? Or the science screen, or just about every screen other than the main view....

... Or even have a second main view window. So you could put window 2 on an important part of the map while window one jumps from active ship to active ship.

i made a post about this a while back

https://forums.galciv3.com/449637/page/1/#3413106

Quoting invertedrook,

reply 3

I can't see this happening. That's double the amount of UI data that would need refreshing. But simply screen-printing your starmap or research tree into a word.doc could help plan things. Would the game have to be run in windowed-mode?

i dont think this would be all that difficult to implement many games in the last decade and even before that have had custimizable UI's one that i thought worked well as mentioned in the link was EVE's UI you could launch the game in windowed mode stretch it to cover both monitors and then set the camera as offset (x,y) so you could center it on your main monitor nearly all of the game interfaces could be moved around wherever you wanted so you could put all those important information up on your second monitor having it easily accessible without occupying valuable space

the only improvement i can think off to add to that would be the ability to have the game recognize a second monitor and use it if i desire as fullscreen

Successfully updated karma reason!

The problem with multiple monitor support in most strategy games is it may give an unfair advantage to someone in multiplayer games. Remember that not everyone has multiple monitors. I know that Brad has stated that Gal Civ 3 will be primarily a single player strategy game but that is something to take into account if he wants to keep multiplayer balanced.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Quoting theboogeyman,

reply 5

The problem with multiple monitor support in most strategy games is it may give an unfair advantage to someone in multiplayer games. Remember that not everyone has multiple monitors. I know that Brad has stated that Gal Civ 3 will be primarily a single player strategy game but that is something to take into account if he wants to keep multiplayer balanced.

It's a turn-based game, it's not like people are going to run out of time to do something.

Successfully updated karma reason!

androshalforc

Join Date 03/2007

+62

Quoting ParagonRenegade,

reply 6

Quoting theboogeyman, reply 5
The problem with multiple monitor support in most strategy games is it may give an unfair advantage to someone in multiplayer games. Remember that not everyone has multiple monitors. I know that Brad has stated that Gal Civ 3 will be primarily a single player strategy game but that is something to take into account if he wants to keep multiplayer balanced.

It's a turn-based game, it's not like people are going to run out of time to do something.

agreed in fact having multiple monitor support would theoretically allow me to take my turn faster since i would have all the info available without having to open and close as many screens which would mean that your turn will come up faster making the game more enjoyable for you while i sit here screaming at those who don't have multiple monitors

Successfully updated karma reason!

Achronous

Join Date 03/2006

+29

I'm all for it if it won't take more time away from single player development. I don't have multiple screens but sounds like a good idea. Either extend the playing map or have some colony info/research/taxes showing up.

Successfully updated karma reason!

I'd like if GCIII took over all available monitors and allowed each panel to be docked/undocked, so you could arrange windows however you liked.

Successfully updated karma reason!

MottiKhan

Join Date 04/2007

+152

Multiple monitor support would be great! Hopefully, we'll be able to open several windows across several monitors. I can see having one screen locked to the main map and maybe 3 others with espionage, the planet control list and a final one bouncing between the ship list and any other that I might need.

It would be nice to work undocked like Jim above me says if it's a fewer than 4 monitor setup.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Quoting MottiKhan,

reply 10

[...] one screen locked to the main map and maybe 3 others with espionage, the planet control list and a final one bouncing between the ship list and any other that I might need. [...]

^ Yes, GCIII needs this. It would cut down on so many clicks. You'd be able to look at data while negotiating, instead of trying to remember everything important. You could see where a tech is on the tree before trading it.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Achronous

Join Date 03/2006

+29

Obviously we have to remember that this is just a game and other people use multimonitor setups to e.g. Play a game while doing something else.

Next thing we'll be asking Stardock to make GalCiv themed computers... Hmm....

Successfully updated karma reason!

MottiKhan

Join Date 04/2007

+152

Quoting Achronous,

reply 12

we have to remember that this is just a game

Sacrilege!

Successfully updated karma reason!

Quoting Achronous,

reply 12

Obviously we have to remember that this is just a game and other people use multimonitor setups to e.g. Play a game while doing something else.

Next thing we'll be asking Stardock to make GalCiv themed computers... Hmm....

Galciv themed computers! I second that motion! My PC has a rail gun, booyahhh scumbag!

Seriously though, just because the game supports multiple monitors doesn't mean that game MUST ALWAYS use all the monitors. By definition this kind of setup would have to be optional because of people with only one monitor, or people with 5, or like the laptop I am on right now that has one built in but could be connected to more if I choose.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Achronous

Join Date 03/2006

+29

Quoting MottiKhan,

reply 13

Sacrilege!

Thought that while I was writing it

Optional is good, but that's why I said as long as it doesn't take development time from the really good bits!

Successfully updated karma reason!

Multiple monitors

Something not yet talked about.