[Freeciv-Dev] Re: Getting rid of Isotrident

[Raahul Kumar <raahul_da_man@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- Thanasis Kinias <tkinias@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> scripsit Raahul Kumar:
> > 
> > --- Thanasis Kinias <tkinias@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > > If you're interested in not turning people away with the graphics, I
> > > think two things are important:
> > > 
> > > 1) Accuracy -- having a BTR-style armoured personnel carrier for `alpine
> > > troops' (hires) or a SAM system for `howitzer' (cevo) will immediately
> > > disturb someone who knows what alpine troops or howitzers are in Real
> > > Life (tm).
> > >
> > > 2) Not looking `cheap' or cartoony.  A very stylized look is good for
> > > clarity's sake, and may be preferable from a usability standpoint.
> > > However, if people don't get past the first impression, the usability is
> > > wasted.  In this respect, the terrain and the Explorer and Settler icons
> > > are most critical.
> > 
> > Interesting. I like the graphics with cartoony effect. You're right about
> the individual tileset effects. You have valid points on 1.) SAM system for
> > howitzer. Daniel?
> > 
> > As for 2.) I don't know what you are driving at. Be more specific.
> 
> The cartoony effect (à la [iso]trident or isoengels cities) is not a bad
> thing in and of itself.  The original Civ had extrememly stylized
> graphics.  They weren't very attractive (IMHO) but clearly distinguished
> the different types of unit.  By `cartoony' I mean low-detail,
> bright/clear colors, and stylized, BTW.

Civ 2 is cartoony, and most people seemed to enjoy their style of graphics. I
really like C-evo, and it is certainly what I would consider 'cartoony', except
that it is not low detail.

> What I was `driving at' with (2) was that an experienced player might
> prefer icons which are easily recognizable and easily distinguished,
> even when crowded together on a busy map.  The `eye candy' factor might
> be irrelevant.  Think xterm with old-school athena widgets.

True. But I find the existing trident graphics harder to pick out. The old Civ
2 style was far better. This is especially obvious in the city happiness view.
Those happy/sad/content are far too low res.

> A new player, never before exposed to Freeciv, may be impressed by `eye
> candy' icons, while he would be turned away by something that reminds
> him of 1990-vintage DOS games.  Think Eterm with HR Giger-looking window
> adornments and a background bitmap of Laetitia Casta wearing very little
> clothing.  It's still just a terminal emulator, but it might get a
> 19-year-old who's never seen anything but Windows to give Linux a closer
> look.

Exactly. In fact, that is exactly what convinced me to try Linux. I saw a
transparent Gnome panel, and that is what converted me. Any claims that it was
Gcc are made up to make me feel better ;-).


> Hmm.  Come to think of it, can we get a Settler unit that looks like
> Laetitia Casta in a bikini? ;)

If I have anything to say about it. It finally explains why they are so willing
to brave the dangers of unexplored terrain. A spy unit would make more sense
though. The 'Mata Hari' perhaps.

Aloha,
RK.

Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day, but set fire to him and he's warm
for the rest of his life.
{Jingo, 1997, Terry Pratchett}

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