Age of Merchants - [Quenched]

hulmey · Post by **hulmey** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:59 pm

another thing the bonus legend is quite confusing....maybe you could simplfy it by using icons...

For example COW (icon) + iron (icon) =

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:19 pm

Lone.prophet wrote:the visuals are very messy try to clean it up a bit, simplefy it a bit

the map has already been simplified enough i think.
but if you can pinpoint the exact things i should remove i'll consider it.
at the moment i don't think there's anything else i can remove. :wink:

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:22 pm

hulmey wrote:another thing the bonus legend is quite confusing....maybe you could simplfy it by using icons...

For example COW (icon) + iron (icon) =

the legend seems very clear to me.

in the top right it says if you own a resource (R) and a market on the same continent you get 2 armies.

now you look at the symbols and see which ones are for resources (they have an R) and look at the symbol for market. then you simply conquer what you need.

i have to consider the available space and at the moment this is the best legend i could think of.

mibi · Post by **mibi** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:23 pm

I agree with other posters, it is a bit confusing. And while you know it like the back of your hand at this point, first time users are going to be turned off by the effort required to undertand how to play.

That being said, here are some suggestions.

The X markers in the description top right are confusing. There are X's on map, so to the X's on the map correspond to the directions? Of course they dont, but its still confusing, its also ugly, try using bullets.

Take out the (R). It is totally unnecessary and confusing. It serves no purpose. But a label above the resource key called "Resources" or something. Having to translate that (R) = resource is an wasteful step.

Whats the fourth instruction mean? How is it different than the 2nd?

Take out the word separate from the 3rd instruction, All the continents are separate anyways.

If you label the resource list then move Pirate cove and treature to the same list at harbour and market.

Are Rollio and garanda separate becuase i cant tell since they both share a grey border.

that is all

hulmey · Post by **hulmey** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:48 pm

do not forget dim this is a different style of play for CC....Try and simplifily the legend a little.....

There must be a clearer way.

Also if you need more space move the countries a little to the left...There is i think too much sea espically to th south west of the map.....

I think gameplay is spot on however...It really is looking good

yeti_c · Post by **yeti_c** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:47 am

DiM wrote:
hulmey wrote:another thing the bonus legend is quite confusing....maybe you could simplfy it by using icons...

For example COW (icon) + iron (icon) =

the legend seems very clear to me.

in the top right it says if you own a resource (R) and a market on the same continent you get 2 armies.

now you look at the symbols and see which ones are for resources (they have an R) and look at the symbol for market. then you simply conquer what you need.

i have to consider the available space and at the moment this is the best legend i could think of.

DiM - I think this guy has a good point actually...

Simplifying the legend into Icons might work a treat...

Can you knock up a preview for it - you can always revert back to what you have.

C.

Molacole · Post by **Molacole** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:30 am

dim wrote:but i still prefer this one. the icons are very clear and they are very readable. if you put too many colours (like above) the map sort of loses the feeling.

yeah definitely doesn't work with those colors...

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:24 am

mibi wrote:I agree with other posters, it is a bit confusing. And while you know it like the back of your hand at this point, first time users are going to be turned off by the effort required to undertand how to play.

yep probably this is why it's very clear to me. i'll try and redo the legend.

mibi wrote:That being said, here are some suggestions.
The X markers in the description top right are confusing. There are X's on map, so to the X's on the map correspond to the directions? Of course they dont, but its still confusing, its also ugly, try using bullets.

i put X's in the legend for more feeling. but i can easily replace them. with some arrows

mibi wrote:Take out the (R). It is totally unnecessary and confusing. It serves no purpose. But a label above the resource key called "Resources" or something. Having to translate that (R) = resource is an wasteful step.

will do.

mibi wrote:Whats the fourth instruction mean? How is it different than the 2nd?

2nd. 1R+1M from same continent = +2
4th. all R+1M from same continent = +2. this one means that if you own all resources from a continent plus the market you get yourself a monopol on that island so you get a further bonus of 2 (i'm actually considering to lower it to just 1)

mibi wrote:Take out the word separate from the 3rd instruction, All the continents are separate anyways.

will do

mibi wrote:If you label the resource list then move Pirate cove and treature to the same list at harbour and market.

but how would i name the others?

mibi wrote:Are Rollio and garanda separate becuase i cant tell since they both share a grey border.
that is all

yes they're separate

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:25 am

yeti_c wrote:
DiM wrote:
hulmey wrote:another thing the bonus legend is quite confusing....maybe you could simplfy it by using icons...

For example COW (icon) + iron (icon) =

the legend seems very clear to me.

in the top right it says if you own a resource (R) and a market on the same continent you get 2 armies.

now you look at the symbols and see which ones are for resources (they have an R) and look at the symbol for market. then you simply conquer what you need.

i have to consider the available space and at the moment this is the best legend i could think of.

DiM - I think this guy has a good point actually...

Simplifying the legend into Icons might work a treat...

Can you knock up a preview for it - you can always revert back to what you have.

C.

i'll put up 2 other versions. one with the same style of legend but a bit simplified and one based on hulmey's suggestion.

also tell me if you want the map to look darker like mibi said.

santon836 · Post by **santon836** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:36 am

I really like it.

I think you should only make the idea more clear, but the graphics have their good thing.

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:42 am

here is the first version. put arrows instead of X's removed (R) and "separate". and arranged the icons in Resources and Other Things. i need a name for other things

mibi · Post by **mibi** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:42 am

ok i get it. but it should be "All resources and the market on one continent" Other wise it could mean all resources and a market from another continent.

I also think the equals sign is superfluous

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:43 am

mibi wrote:ok i get it. but it should be "All resources and the market on one continent" Other wise it could mean all resources and a market from another continent.

will do in next update. hey, english is not my mother language so i probably write something that seems clear to me but in fact it's confusing

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:44 am

santon836 wrote:I really like it.

I think you should only make the idea more clear, but the graphics have their good thing.

thanks for the appreciation santon. right now i'm working exactly at what you said; making the idea more clear.

KEYOGI · Post by **KEYOGI** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:49 am

Could we have some different resources? Iron ore and cattle I understand, but alligator skins and shells!?! Would it not be more appropriate to have say... gold, timber, hops and cotton as an example? I guess you don't really need gold with there being pirates and treasure, iron ore works.

boberz · Post by **boberz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:02 am

can you cross at val de juru quite hard to tell obviously logic would say you should but gamplay might be interesting if you couldnt. Clarification please??

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:09 am

@keyogi yeah i guess any resources will do. i'll find a suitable legend and then i'll switch the resources.
but here is my explanation.
this is a map of a carribean style map. what sort of resources do you find there?
shells - duh it's an ocean around
alligator skins - well skins are rather valuable especially alligator ones
iron ore + cattle - weapons and food

but i'm open for any suggestions.

@boberz yes that border is crossable. val de juro to fajone.

mibi · Post by **mibi** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:21 am

rum is THE Caribbean resource.

yeti_c · Post by **yeti_c** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:23 am

mibi wrote:rum is THE Caribbean resource.

Cannabis,
Sugar,
Cricket
and
Beach holidays!!

C.

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:27 am

i've tried doing the legend like hulmey siggested but i don't think it's possible.

it's very big.

here:

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:30 am

mibi wrote:rum is THE Caribbean resource.

obviously

rum is a must. i'll put it instead of cattle.

boberz · Post by **boberz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:57 am

i think sont use the wording explained above just keep it very similar to what it is now tbh it will be hilarious when we get noob posts in the vain of "I dont get it"

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:00 pm

boberz wrote:i think sont use the wording explained above just keep it very similar to what it is now tbh it will be hilarious when we get noob posts in the vain of "I dont get it"

i didn't understand one bit of what you just said :shock:

fluffybunnykins · Post by **fluffybunnykins** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:02 pm

Could we have some different resources? Iron ore and cattle I understand, but alligator skins and shells!?! Would it not be more appropriate to have say... gold, timber, hops and cotton as an example? I guess you don't really need gold with there being pirates and treasure, iron ore works.

how much iron is/was there in the caribbean? or cows for that matter! I'm pretty sure there was no gold either (much to Columbus' dismay ;o) Maybe cotton, sugar cane (for the rum!), bananas and chickens???

DiM · Post by **DiM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:15 pm

it's a carribean type map. not the actual carribeans but i agree some resources must be changed.

i was thinking

coffee, sugar, rum, cotton.

also more elaborate things can be done like:

take sugar cane + water to rum factory and get +4
take rum from rum factory to market and get +2 (only possible if you already deliver sugar cane and water.)

take cotton and dye to clothes factory and get + 4
take clothes from factory to market and get +4 (only possible if you already deliver dye and cotton)

but seeing how people find it hard to understand the current bonus system i guess these ideas would throw those people into a complete black hole. :wink: