Test Server UI Changes

Dear settlers,

In case you haven't noticed yet, the test server interface has been heavily improved upon to make player interaction easier. Want to know what exactly has changed?

• The size of the Trade Office/Sell and Star Menu windows have been increased to show more items and improve usability.

• All timed production windows (e.g. Barracks, Provision House...) now allow text input when choosing amounts.

• Automatically input the maximum affordable amount of recruits in the Barracks by default, and set the window focus to the input for the number of entries.

• "Select/Deselect all filters" has been added to both the Trade Office and Sell Window to improve usability.

• Buff amounts are updated instantly when applying buffs multiple times in quick succession.

• It now shouldn't be possible to input "0" as a quantity of any production or buff input.

• The "Apply Buff" panel should now hide automatically when there is no more buff quantity left.

• The Combat Preview persistent after applying to a camp so players can see the previews on multiple camps without having to select troops again.

• Fix scrolling behaviour across all UI windows to be more accurate and consistent.

• You can now use the "ENTER" key to confirm trades and buffs.

• You can now use the "ESC" key to exit UI windows and navigate back within sub-panels.

• Remember the last buff amount if the same buff window is opened to cover the common case where a player wants to split resources evenly between deposits.

• The window should now focus on the text input when opening the trade window and apply buff panel.

Feel free to share your feedback below and let us know if you'd like to see such changes on your live instance as well!

Happy settling,
BB_Odhran

•Automatically input the maximum affordable amount of recruits in the Barracks by default, and set the window focus to the input for the number of entries.

BAD idea.


The problem with idea is that if you accidently click okay on anything "max" and your production is currently empty. You basically screwed yourself over with a LONG production with no cancelling option. You must pay gems to clear it or wait the super long production time.

Please do NOT allow for max default.

It's bad enough that you have max default setting for resource deposit refills on fish and meat. Where I have to constantly slide it down to 0 and inputting the number manually.

In case of misunderstanding they mean that they set the slider of 1 to 25 to 25. the slider from 1 to 200 will remain at 1. I do not remember the last time I wanted to build less than 25 of something. Not sure if its only Recruits or other types of units too. If only recruits even 25 doesnt take long.

The idea of 'defaulting' something is because that is considered used often to make things easier (less clicking).
However, in this case, I RARELY use the first slider 1-25. (that is the WORST choice when doing production queue). Instead, I always use the second slider the most 90% of the time. The reason you want to use the second slider is to minimize your lock out timer on the production. secondly, the items that are produced can be used immediately. Lock out timer prevents you from putting something else in priority ahead of the current production, you have to wait until the production is finished- and if the lock out timer is very long you're waiting a long time.

Let's take the snack stadium for example. Had that been defaulted 25. You're looking at 74 days of wait. And since there is no confirmation button - accidently clicking the okay and you're screwed. Wait 74 days or pay a ton of gems to clear your production lockout.

(when you're locked into something that is being produced 25 on the first slot. you can NOT use any of the items that are partially finished. example, snack stadium "25" - lock out of 74 days, you MUST wait 74 days to be able to use just 1 item out of that 25. had you set the first slider to 1 and the second to 25, you can use 1 stadium snack when it's done in 3 days. the same goes for barracks, i'd rather slide the second bar to 25 or for say an elite solider or cannoneer, and send off a few of them that are done rather than wait an hour or 2)

There are many times, where you might need an emergency switch over, for instance, you just realized you need something for the daily quest. Or you ran out of a specific unit and need to build it fast. (keep in mind also that not all players have a level 6 barrack or whatever production house lvl 6 this is magnified further on the lock out timer).

If people want to max something, then they can add a max button (1 click that instantly maxes out). OR they could add in a settings option that lets people enable it if they're really insistent on having a max default option for people who want to really use it.

Personally, I'd rather drag the slider bar manually or input the amount I want manually to prevent any accident "default" max problems.

Another example of max default that is NOT used at all.
I'm already annoyed with the max "deposit" resource. And I feel that should be reverted back to 0 default. with a Max button option. Because I ALWAYS manually enter the deposit number on the resources for the daily quests. (daily quests asking you to deposit X meat or X fish.) Since my island doesn't have anybody farming those deposits because of the no license buildings that generate those for free. it's pointless to deposit all of my meat/fish when I can just have a storage supply of it and use it as needed for quest rather than having to constantly produce the X amount and deposit all.

Absolutely on point RonEmpire.
Their new penchant for maxing selections is extremely annoying.
Worse that they don't give us an opt out/in selection.

I'm on the test server, its not just "Recruits". Their use of the word "recruit" is generic for ALL units. Elite barracks at level 6. You're looking at an accidental click of 1-2hrs + for a "default 25". Whoever thought that was a smart idea just doesn't actually play this on a day to day basis. You're going to spend most of your time SLIDING the 1-25 bar down to 1. and then sliding the 1-200 bar more often.

Like I said, default is suppose to be helpful. It's totally the opposite here. I'm having to take an extra step to slide the first bar down. Adding extra tedious task that isn't necessary. WORST case scenario I click okay and realized I have to wait an hour when I only needed like 3 cannoneers to replace the 3 that died on my adventure from a bad block.

this is some kind of extreme micromanaging you are describing here. i love to micro and have never bothered with this. believe me 90+% players will benefit from this.
why would you send a few of something ahead if the total you need is more?
the 1-click-max button already exists. its called clicking at the end of the bar. you dont have to drag it at all.

im with you on the snack stand. that ridiculously overpriced building should have a warning even before buying.
also was against default to add max to mayors house. made me use more clicks and most of the time the field is even not big enough to show the number youre adding!

Is it not time to have the generals default to elite troops when they arrive at an Ali baba adv?
Maybe that's a question to ask player, like take a vote?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by map42

Absolutely on point RonEmpire.
Their new penchant for maxing selections is extremely annoying.
Worse that they don't give us an opt out/in selection.

---

Having an option to "enable / disable" max settings by default would be a great idea.

I would totally opt out of "Max Default" on resource deposits to resource nodes (example: meat and fish).

""Select/Deselect all filters" has been added to both the Trade Office and Sell Window to improve usability."

Really looking forward to this one, together with the ENTER and ESC-usages. Thanks!

•The window should now focus on the text input when opening the trade window and apply buff panel.

This appears to only be happening some of the time. Specifically, if the item chosen has no standard limit.
Water, iron ore, cannons, all have no specific limit. Only storage capacity. All have the focus on the text window when opening.
Buffs, buildings, adventures, all have specific limits (1000, 10, 10). All still function as before. The default is 1, and you need to use the mouse get the cursor into the text box.

It would be a nice change, if it was applied consistently. Making it work two different ways is worse than consistently using either option.