First Commander - Europe at War Screenshot!

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:20 am

Hi guys,

we're pleased to release the first screenshot of the game.

As discussed in the diary we have tried a number of styles and decided to go with this simple yet attractive look. It was important that the different terrain types were easily distinguishable and were not so 'busy' that their textures distracted you from the units. We also spent a lot of time making sure the terrain edges followed the hex boundries close enough to make it clear whether a hex was open, forest or mountain, yet with enough variation to stop it looking unnatural. This is most important for players who choose to play without the hex grid. We're especially pleased with the coastlines and rivers and we think we have one of the best wargames maps ever created!

The 2nd shot shows the planned UI and unit style, though this is still in design/production, so is a mock up overlaying the pieces we have on top of the blank map, but it does help to show how things will fit together.

anguille · Post by **anguille** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:26 am

It looks nice...guess we'll see also cities and roads?

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:50 pm

Edit - we've mocked up a screenshot to show the UI style and units we're planning and added it to the above post.

teardropmushroom · Post by **teardropmushroom** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:00 pm

It might just be me but I've always thought it was absolutely ugly when a hex-based game shows the actual hexs. Howwever, I do look foward to this game.

uxbridge · Post by **uxbridge** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:23 pm

My first impression of the map is that it looks very good; just like the old board games during the phase in their development were they acctually began to look nice. I also like the scale; not too detailed, not too basic - just about right. Even the units pass my scrutiny without to much chock, and that's to be seen as something good, cause I normally hate non-counter style units.

Concerning the counters, are they modable?

fundin · Post by **fundin** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:58 pm

Very nice

I like hex game, its always nice to be able to turn hexes off when viewing though. The icons look great too, keep it up :0)

joe98 · Post by **joe98** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:05 pm

The subtle artwork is good. I have become used to better artwork in wargames so perhaps it could be tweaked a bit to enhance the ambiance.

I prefer counters to icons.

I notice each icon is facing to the right. This is very confusing if you are advancing from the right to the left. If we get the counter option please ensure counters have no facing.

I presume each Star represents a capital. As its a Star, and its olive green and its WW2 - it looks US controlled.

The armour icons in the UK are the same as the armour icons in Germany - Panzer IVs. I would hope the armour icons are representiative of the country of ownership. In Gary Grisby's World at War every armour icon is a Tiger tank.

If each country has (for example) 3 levels of armour, light, medium and heavy, they ought be represented by 3 icons. There only needs to be Western Allies, Axis and Russian which means 9 icons all up.

joe98 · Post by **joe98** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:08 pm

The anchor icons could be placed over a port hex. Currently the anchor icons seem to be a days steaming to the nearest port.

stalins_organ · Post by **stalins_organ** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:00 am

Good to see - although the Irish might be a bit surprised by where Dublin is located??!!

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:01 am

joe98 wrote:I have become used to better artwork in wargames so perhaps it could be tweaked a bit to enhance the ambiance.

Everything ecept the map is placeholder

As mentioned above, the units, icons, UI etc have all been dropped in quickly to show how it could look.

Please tell me where you've seen a better map in a wargame!

joe98 · Post by **joe98** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:38 pm

iainmcneil wrote: Please tell me where you've seen a better map in a wargame!

SSG's Battles in Normandy and Battles in Italy.

Both hex based games

www.ssg.com.au

-

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:33 pm

Ok, it must be a style/taste thing as I've seen those and don't like them at all

scarfacetarraff · Post by **scarfacetarraff** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:36 pm

I like it, nice and crisp.

But, will there be an option to view the map as political entities? Visually, I find this more appealling - changing to terrain tiles when planning an operation. Also, will borders shift when, say Germany captures Belgium?

adherbal · Post by **adherbal** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:40 pm

k, it must be a style/taste thing as I've seen those and don't like them at all

agreed, those ssg screenshots look incredibly chaotic, and too colourfull. Although adding a tad bit more colour (not too bright and saturnated) to your UI buttons might improve it, and make it easier to distinguish the buttons. But I like the simple and clear style.

uxbridge · Post by **uxbridge** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:58 pm

Yes, SSG did look rather messy, even though I thought it was one of the better looking maps hitherto. Everything was so bright you got fed up with it after a while. This map look much better in this respect, but I do agree that the units would benefit from a slightly brighter, more crispy appearance. They would then look more like pieces upon a map, rather than map and units merged together. But, alas, it all comes down to a matter of taste and there never will be a general agreement concerning graphics.

I ask the question about moding again. Will it be possible to make your own counters?

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:01 pm

Unit graphics are just jpg's so you can drop anything in if you want to create your own.

Same goes for the map, it's a jpg. You could change it for a picture of the kitchen table and have baked bean marmite wars if it took your fancy!

uxbridge · Post by **uxbridge** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:58 pm

Great! Then I can replace Spain with a picture of Kate Beckinsale!

Jokes, appart, the possibility to redraw the entire map to ones liking makes the whole discussion about symbols or counters or map style features somewhat less important. Everyone who disagrees with the official look can make their own symbols, and maybe spread to others. Fine.

jon_j_rambo · Post by **jon_j_rambo** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:28 am

Map looks great to me!

KuniworthII · Post by **KuniworthII** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 9:37 am

Man this game is like a wet dream, gotta buy it