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Feature Requests / It's hard to find the vital game info inside all the flavor text.
« on: January 25, 2008, 06:36:42 pm »
The flavor text is well written and must have been a load of work to do, but unfortunately for new players it often does a bad job at informing the player what the in-game qualities of a building/technology/whatever are.
Not only is there a lot to read to find that one or two sentences with the vital data, but sometimes that data isn't clearly stated. For example:
It really doesn't clearly say what kind of personal are part of that "20" and what are "ancillary". Are officers included in that 20? Is the concept of "officers" even in the game?
The simplest and most effective thing to do is to leave the flavor text as is, but to add at the bottom, or preferably the top, highlighted in some way (such as bolded) an unambiguous statement of the game rules. For instance for "living quarters", such a statement might read:
Not only is there a lot to read to find that one or two sentences with the vital data, but sometimes that data isn't clearly stated. For example:
Quote
The Living Quarters facility is the standard habitation unit for PHALANX personnel. It provides living space and sanitation for up to 20 people and several necessary ancillary personnel.
The facility's lower floor contains a soldiers' barracks, communal showers, bathrooms, and a common area where troops can spend their off-duty time. Each soldier receives 1 bunk and 1 locker partition to store their personel effects such as civilian clothes. It is also intended for storage of uniforms and other on-duty equipment.
The upper floor contains officers' quarters, generally used for any ranking/important personnel. Each private quarters has its own bed, desk, storage space and sanitary unit, and the level as a whole sports shared but separate shower cabins. This level is located above-ground and receives natural sunlight.
It really doesn't clearly say what kind of personal are part of that "20" and what are "ancillary". Are officers included in that 20? Is the concept of "officers" even in the game?
The simplest and most effective thing to do is to leave the flavor text as is, but to add at the bottom, or preferably the top, highlighted in some way (such as bolded) an unambiguous statement of the game rules. For instance for "living quarters", such a statement might read:
Quote
The living quarters accommodate 20 employees on the base