Should resource counter be moved near mini-map?

[ArcherofAiur]

*points above* you got some replies you may have missed. Also going to reply to another point Archer:

Actually, as I stated earlier, this it placing choice based variables outside of your [natural field of vision].. separating [reactive mental activity] and [conscious mental activity]. For explanations to these bracketed grey terms, you'll find adequate information in the previous posts I've provided on page 2. I suggest those who want to reply to this post understand it fully before you hit the reply button ^_^

Gifted tell me this. Would you consider the right bottom (the unit command bar) to be reactive or conscious mental activity?

1) Most people expect it at the top.

I will give you that "people are used to it on top" is probably the best (and only) arguement for leaving it on top.

2) Yes it does, it just helps obscure a bigger bit at the bottom rather than a bit at the top.

But if its sectioned off (ie inside the command bar) than its not technically part of field of play.

3) No player of any skill has trouble with this.

Thats a very elitest thing to say. Right above you is a player saying he does have trouble with this. Remember Blizzards mantra "Easy to learn, Lifetime to master". Giving players a interface that makes it easy to learn how to read the minimap fits with Blizzards ethos.

4) Menu bar is at the top, so no. Besides this is a rerun of 1).

Number one had moreto do with gameplay considerations. This is aesthetically. As in it makes little sense to have three numbers randomely hanging at the top right. Imagine if we put the movement buttons up there and kept everything else on the bottom.

5) Nor is the top-right.

Hense why the resource counters should be placed inside the command bar.

Honestly, this counts as 'change for the sake of change', not 'change for improvement'.

For the above stated points...definatly not.

[MattII]

I will give you that "people are used to it on top" is an arguement for leaving it on top.

Corrected.

But if its sectioned off (ie inside the command bar) than its not technically part of field of play.

Have you ever noticed how the command bar is bigger at the ends (where you propose to stick the resource bar), and thus does occlude part of the actual map.

Thats a very elitest thing to say. Right above you is a player saying he does have trouble with this. Remember Blizzards mantra "Easy to learn, Lifetime to master". Giving players a interface that makes it easy to learn how to read the minimap fits with Blizzards ethos.

I hesitate to ask, but how does moving the 'resource bar' make the 'minimap' easier to read?

Number one had moreto do with gameplay considerations. This is aesthetically. As in it makes little sense to have three numbers randomely hanging at the top right. Imagine if we put the movement buttons up there and kept everything else on the bottom.

Actually, aesthetically, it balances out the menu buttons that are up there.

Hense why the resource counters should be placed inside the command bar.

Actually, it makes no difference in this case, so it saves time to leave it where it is.

[DemolitionSquid]

There is only one question that needs to be asked:

Why fix what isn't broken?

I rest my case.

[MattII]

That's the problem, some people (namely Archer) seem to think it is broken. Mind you, he could be wearing cracked glasses to read this thread.

[Pandonetho]

Thats a very elitest thing to say. Right above you is a player saying he does have trouble with this. Remember Blizzards mantra "Easy to learn, Lifetime to master". Giving players a interface that makes it easy to learn how to read the minimap fits with Blizzards ethos.

Actually, this is all replay related, whatever don said was in real time gameplay related. Therein lies a big difference already. Not only that, the food count he's looking at is in the top right, substantially farther away from the minimap than is the current resource box.

Are we all also forgetting that you can hide the information box? So it doesn't matter where it is, if you don't want to see it, minimize it.

That already kills every other argument about whether it's distracting or not. Which goes back to squid's point. Don't fix what isn't broken.

[ArcherofAiur]

Have you ever noticed how the command bar is bigger at the ends (where you propose to stick the resource bar), and thus does occlude part of the actual map.

Whats your arguement? That Blizzard wont spare a tiny portion of the bottom screen because it will block ten pixels of gameplay while at the same time freeing up the top right screens visual clarity. And in doing so making it easier to read all your info at once and not clutter up the otherwise clear battlefield view? Did you know that they choose to have the huge portrait area inorder to build unit charector? Thats far more than ten pixels

I hesitate to ask, but how does moving the 'resource bar' make the 'minimap' easier to read?

Closer. Everytime you check your resources its relatively easy to check your minimap

Actually, aesthetically, it balances out the menu buttons that are up there.

Aesthetically those numbers floating up there are awkward sauce in an otherwise elegant interface design.

so it saves time to leave it where it is.

Out of curiosity how much time do you think it will take to change this?


Oh and BTW I notice youve been ignoring the issue of viewing white numbers on a snow tileset.

[Pandonetho]

Oh and BTW I notice youve been ignoring the issue of viewing white numbers on a snow tileset.

You do realize, that the white numbers are over a green background right? Whether that green background is slightly transparent or not doesn't make a difference, so don't even bother bringing up transparency.

This whole topic is pointless. You're arguing, actually arguing, that people won't be able to concentrate enough on what's important in a REPLAY (meaning there is no active playing, you're just watching), just because the unit box is on the top? Do you actually believe that looking at the minimap is hard? This is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read about. What do you usually look at the minimap for? Just to see where units are travelling, that's all. It takes only less than a second to look at the minimap and back onto the field. This whole debate is pointless. If you miss something, REWIND IT. If you want to see something else, PAUSE IT. It's a replay for god's sake.

Why do you believe that you have to check the minimap everytime you check the resources? Do you think they're symbiotically related or what?

[ArcherofAiur]

You do realize, that the white numbers are over a green background right? Whether that green background is slightly transparent or not doesn't make a difference, so don't even bother bringing up transparency.

Im going off this picture.
http://fidgit.com/starcraft2_ui.jpg
However just to be safe I check BR4 and sure enough the resource numbers are not in an interface box. They are just hanging out there in the middle of the right top corner.
http://www.starcraft2.com/features/battlereports/4.xml


So I ask you again. What do you think happens when you play on a snow set map? Are you going to argue that it will still be as easy to read your resource counts against white snow? Or maybe elite people will be able to do it better and the interface should be hard for new players

This whole topic is pointless. You're arguing, actually arguing, that people won't be able to concentrate enough on what's important in a REPLAY (meaning there is no active playing, you're just watching), just because the unit box is on the top? Do you actually believe that looking at the minimap is hard? This is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read about. What do you usually look at the minimap for? Just to see where units are travelling, that's all. It takes only less than a second to look at the minimap and back onto the field. This whole debate is pointless. If you miss something, REWIND IT. If you want to see something else, PAUSE IT. It's a replay for god's sake.

Im not talking about a replay. The screenshot is from a replay but i never specified that the resource box should be moved for only replays.

Why do you believe that you have to check the minimap everytime you check the resources? Do you think they're symbiotically related or what?

I never said you have to check the minimap everytime you check the resources.

[EndlessSky]

I think if it was on or close to the minimap it might start looking a little cluttered and it could possibly distract you from what is happening on the mini-map itself.

[Pandonetho]

However just to be safe I check BR4 and sure enough the resource numbers are not in an interface box. They are just hanging out there in the middle of the right top corner.

Are you talking about the regular resource counter? Because now I have no idea what you're talking about.

I didnt say you have to check the minimap everytime you check the resources.

You keep bringing up the point that it's "easier" to check the minimap when in reality checking the minimap hardly takes any effort.

Tell me, when you look at this.
http://www.straferight.com/photopost...UI_Units_1.jpg

What exactly are you looking for in the minimap that will take more than a second to register? The minimap is nothing but a quick information guide on the current status of the locations of players' armies.

Last but not least, are you ignoring the fact that the information box can be hidden? If not, you can stop bringing up the "clustering up the battlefield" point. If you look at the screenshot I just linked, it hardly clusters up anything at all even if it's not hidden,