Unit Icons (Please Vote)

[Nick Thomadis]

Hello again all,

 

The Game Labs art team is currently offering the following four variations for representing the unit info. We would like your urgent opinion. Which you like more? Which you like less and why?
Size of icon and soldiers are not final.

 

[Ink]

mmm..I like  #3 and #4, #4 seems to be a bit more clear, flag symbols @#3 aint big problem after a while tho . I can't realise how to check unit type @#2?

[Brigand]

I'm drawn between 1 and 4.  Screenshot 1 is more pleasing to the eye, screenshot 4 is easier to get an overview.

 

However, I'm not totally clear on what this view is meant to communicate; screenshots 2 and 3 do not show unit type, wheres 1 and 4 do?

 

Cheers

Brigand

[Ink]

 

 

However, I'm not totally clear on what this view is meant to communicate; screenshots 2 and 3 do not show unit type, wheres 1 and 4 do

#3 - I guess unit types are shown by that squares, rectangles, triangles and something like a flag.

[The Great Dane II]

For me there's not doubt at all:

 

Number one has the EXACT type of graphic design, which gives me all the info I need and even more important:
It gives me that special Civil War mood or what you guys would say in English (perhaps immersion) - hope you understand...

[David Fair]

My apologies for not communicating effectively.  

 

The shapes in Choice 3 are fine for representing the difference between:

Square - infantry

Cavalry guidon - cavalry

Triangle - artillery

 

I was expecting the USA & CSA flag to be represented on the Square, Guidon, and Triangle for their respective sides.  The idea was to get the flags as pictured in choice #2 for the infantry.  

A Cavalry Guidon with the appropriate national flag on the Guidon, see the first flag at: http://www.usflagdepot.com/store/page18.html

CSA Cavalry Guidon (bottom flag) at: http://www.thewargamer.com/battlecry/pix/csaflags.jpg

 

and the Triangle for artillery.  See Union at: http://moreinmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/American-Flag-triangle.jpg

for the confederate I'd suggest using the rebel flag with 7 stars

 

 

The key is that when you click on the icon you get the unit; which is the current problem.  It's difficult to click on the unit you want to give it a command (particularly artillery).  

[Ink]

For me there's not doubt at all:

 

Numer one has the EXACT type of graphic design, which gives me all the info I need and even more important:

It gives me that special Civil War mood or what you guys would say in English (perhaps immersion) - hope you inderstand

yep I see your point. By that #1 is no doubt winner but without the whole UI it's hard to say yet, won't it be too complex? So that's the reason for #3 and #4 - they give the same ammount of information and require less space on the monitor:)

[Hyzoran]

Make it an option. 'Unit Icon Style'

[Patriotcowboy30]

I really like the flags in Option 2 but like the unit designation in option 1. 

[WoopU4Free]

I like options 1 and 4.... I think they convey the over all feel of the game but also give all the info you need at a quick glance. I would choose # 1 over all though!

[miller3492]

i like option 2 but it needs to have the unit type somewhere on it

[Ink]

maybe there is an option to merge #2 and #3 into one? I mean somehow merge flags into shapes?

[Emmett]

I like #1 the most. I think having flags displayed on the battlefield is a very important part of the war. Men died just carrying a flag so not having a flag displayed here would not be genuine. Not displaying it on the map would not "feel" right.

 

I would like to see the shape of the flags in #1 shaped like the flags in #2. The flags in #2 just seem alive and flowing while the #1 flags are too square and not realistic. Does anybody else notice this?

[David Fair]

Emmett, miller3492, & Ink,

You've hit the nail on the head.  The "alive and flowing" flags in option 2 feel right and if we can get the shapes of the flags used historically (as in option 3) then all the information can be displayed clearly and concisely with "alive and flowing" feel.  The cavalry carried the guidon to ensure that commanders could see and identify what type of unit was fighting at long distances and could see the difference between infantry and cavalry.  

[RoOlf]

Flags are nice and pretty but colors can be enought. Option 3 is hard to read for a beginner and can be confusing in the battle. I find that option 4 is the much efficient, it allows a quick read of the situation.

[Doge]

Though it looks nice, option 2 is definetly the worst besides option 3. The icons should let you quickly see and distinguish all troops on the battlefield; which both 1 and 4 do

That'd be a good idea to just include them all, and the option for none. If I had to choose one, it'd be #4.

[DaveWoodchuck]

I think I would prefer option 1, and option four doesn't strike me as objectionable.

[Rekka]

I prefer option 1. Having the flags is a nice touch and we have quick intel on which unit is what. Option 4 would also work.

[Calvin809]

I like option 1. The flags give it more of a Civil War feel and the icons help you figure out what type of units you are looking at.

[Remise]

My vote goes to "Option Fair."

 

Having said that, I would much rather see flags waving, preferably two per brigade (for Federals, this would be the national colors and a state flag, for most brigades), than icons.  I will remind you that one of the most-disliked "features" of the CA games was their banners, and one of the most-liked features of DMUC, etc., was the realistic flags. 

 

I know this is more work for an artist, but the large esthetic boost you wil get might be worth it!

[UsF]

I prefer option 4, because it is clean and gives the user all the information he needs. Option 1 looks better on screenshots and should probably be kept for marketing material and as an option in game. During gameplay, the flags could be misread at a glance. Also option 4 makes it easier to implement potential color blind options, where each nation gets a different shape, rather than a different color. I do like option 4 the most for its simplicity and easy to read information. I like the first one with its sub-information next to the flag, but this could be added to the fourth icon option as well for unit effects, like wounded, low on supply, routing etc.

 

Option 4 is the most simplistic one and I like it, but it is lacking the information about unit type in an easily understandable manner in the beginning. After you learn the shapes, it would make sense to players, but it could take some time getting used to.

 

The country flags give it a historical feel, but I feel it does not benefit the gameplay in any way, besides feeling patriotic about one side. The information is therefor not really necessary in my opinion, at least for a general.

[had a dad]

I also think Option 4 is the best as it's the best looking and still clean without clutter.  Option 1 is my second choice, but the clutter it has....is distracting.

[Adrian]

I prefer option 1

[da11en47]

Although option 1 is the nicest, both sides colors somewhat blend together for me, making things a little confusing at first. I voted option 4.

[N.C.rebel]

Option 1