Loadscreens: Add structure placement and factory duplication

[GoogleFrog]

• [ ] There should be a loadscreen with a big list of all the structure placement modifiers. Include skydust. People won't read everything on the first viewing but they will see it many times.
• [ ] Add a loadscreen with basic factory tips. Your first factory is free. Treat them like tech unlocks as they are expensive. The best way to increase production is with nano turrets.

[ghost]

post-release?

[sprunk]

Not necessarily, the earlier the better. Loadscreens aren't a new feature so the feature freeze doesn't apply.

[GoogleFrog]

At some point we need to make a final build, so sooner rather than later.

[ghost]

Reading this more closely I don't understand point #1 at all. What is skydust?

I don't like the idea of shoving mass amounts of info into single loadscreens. tl;dr is already a problem with many existing loadscreens.

[ghost]

referencing https://github.com/ZeroK-RTS/Zero-K/issues/2730 and https://github.com/ZeroK-RTS/Zero-K/issues/2596

[sprunk]

Skydust means that the loadscreen should explain the methods used to elevate a building:

• ALT+click a button on the build menu (only the corner one aka integral, does not work with gesture buildmenu, or radial if anyone still uses that) OR hold LMB when placing to enter height mode. Then mouse up/down to change height.
• press B OR ALT+MMB to enter height mode (incompatible with the other one), then C/V OR ALT+mousewheel to change height.

[ghost]

First time I've seen this interface

hold LMB to toggle height mode, then mouse up/down to change height.

Can't reproduce.

press B to toggle height mode, then C/V to go change height.

Seems dangerous. This can make factories that units can't path out of with a single press of B. After pressing B the "elevated" state is preserved even if you switch to something else to build.

hold ALT and scroll the mousewheel to change height (automatically enables height mode). Hold ALT and press MMB to toggle height mode.

This feels the most intuitive method of making defense tower spires. I think better than B/C/V keys as they have different functions if not placing a structure. But this should not operate on factories that could break pathing.

[sprunk]

Can't reproduce

Maybe you have it disabled? Should be on by default https://github.com/ZeroK-RTS/Zero-K/blob/master/LuaUI/Widgets/gui_lasso_terraform.lua#L90

[ghost]

Got it now, had to hold left click for longer then I anticipated. Alt-mmb is still my preferred method.

[ghost]

I don't like the tech unlocks comparison, it will only make sense to experienced RTS gamers. I think it can be dumbed down to "don't make multiple facs".

First draft of factory loadscreen: https://i.imgur.com/cjyurMy.jpg

[GoogleFrog]

It is a bit direct and negative as well as being a block of text. Perhaps a list of what each BP source is good at would be better, with the factory tip nearby.

[ghost]

Each BP source? Do you mean metal and energy? There's already a loadscreen for those.

[sprunk]

No, something like

• Build factories to unlock sets of units. The first one is free.
• Build nanotowers to assist factory construction efficiently.
• Build constructors to expand your territory.

[Anarchid]

I would spend two words more and say that the first factory is free and instant.

Also maybe Caretakers or constructors to assist factory. Caretakers only become available late in the campaign - a long time after player experiences the need to enhance their spending.

[ghost]

Build factories to unlock sets of units. The first one is free.

This is not true in the context of the campaign, unit unlocks require more then just building the right factory.

Build nanotowers to assist factory construction efficiently.

This is an improvement on my wording, perhaps "or guard with constructors" could be added like anarchid said.

Build constructors to expand your territory.

This feels like a tangent to factory advise. Also debatably not accurate, Constructors are multirole units and only some of them are good at expansion (welder) , and commander is arguably better for expansion.

I would spend two words more and say that the first factory is free and instant.

Why? I don't think it's helpful at all, instant factory is obvious after first real game and doesn't need to be communicated.

I will be image dumping what I have got so far on the forums soon. http://zero-k.info/Forum/Thread/25080

[GoogleFrog]

Don't put a panel around the logo.

[ghost]

Alright

[ghost]

Useful shortcuts refresh with new logo

[Lasica]

Cool, I like this one. Not sure the "gather" is the right word, but I can't think of anything better. Manage, order, maybe just "select"? It could say about standard unit groups ctrl + number, and number pressing to select them back again and auto group which is now default - alt + number. That would be a lot of text on one screen though, maybe it can be divided on 2 screens