-Ao3 physics are awesome
-So is Blumen
-The UI sucks, however.

I really hope they change it, doesn't fit those beautiful graphics...

Quoted from Shusky:

AoE III graphic and physic engine is fit for an emperor, but comes with a GUI-donkey of a steed.

It is fine the way it is.

The only thing that should be corrected is the position of the minimap. It is so much easier to use when it's on the right side, and it worked really well in past "Age of" games. I really don't understand why ES put it on the left this time... Perhaps it's because some other games (such as Warcrafts) have their minimap on the left?

If this is the case, then I really suggest that ES make it so that it's possible for the player to move the minimap to the left or right, depending on what's easier for them.

Quote:

The UI position are done by programmers (which is very easy to do).

Gameplay and balancing are done by different people -- the balancing teams that are comprised of skilled RTS players.

Therefore, spending time of UI has nothing to do with gameplay and balance .

That said, the minimap is likely going to be on the left side.

But I think the point of the thread remains, could it be at least made easier to mod the interface? As in, not packing the XMLs into a single data file?

---

Quote:

ES_BigDog, I don't see a smiley face next to that, so I take it that you're serious about the minimap being on the left.

If you're still reading this, I'll try to explain why the minimap is easier to use on the right for the players. The major reason is because, if you notice with the internet explorer, the scroller is located on the Right side, and movement done with the pointer is instinctively done on the right to scroll up and down .

Now imagine with, say, window XP "special edition", the scroll bar is switch to the left side:

Can you see that the movement is already very awkward?

EDIT: I quite liked this minimal interface:

[This message has been edited by RiderOfEternity (edited 03-13-2005 @ 05:27 PM).]

Quote:

Having the minimap on the left side for movement is like having a right-handed person use his mouse with his left hand while trying to type with the right hand.

However, I'm so used to playing Halo 2, that by now I'm used to looking the bottom left corner of my screen. . . .

edit: people post so fast nowadays. I'm reffering to the scrollbar analogy in my post.

[This message has been edited by ShadoAngel (edited 03-13-2005 @ 05:39 PM).]

[This message has been edited by scentless (edited 03-13-2005 @ 05:50 PM).]

Anyhow, we have lots of UI data/experience/beliefs that says it's better on the left (bottom left being more of a default looking spot for folks than bottom right, etc.).

In the end, IMO, it's what you get used to. It's definitely weird for a game or so to have it on the left. But, now, it's second nature. And, by moving it to the left, we've seen a rise in how many folks pay attention/notice stuff on the minimap.

dave

I have a request/question: I've seen on the first (illegal (?)) screenshots that the resources stood in the upper left corner. Wasn't it better that way to find them back? What's the reason you put them beneath next to the minimap?