SE5 Poll on Slot Layout, take 2

[Will]

The way ship design works could probably have a big impact on the population of players that SEV would appeal to. If things are just like they are now in Starfury, it would likely be very interesting to the more hard-core set that likes to dig down into the nitty-gritty details, and would turn off casual players who would rather not spend five mintues designing one ship.

What would be really nice is "have your cake and eat it too". List out a bunch of components you would like to include, and the game will generate a design based on that list. Those who are interested in the details of design can then shuffle around the placement of components. Otherwise, the design can just be accepted as-is.

[Captain Kwok]

Although Fyron's poll is obviously biased, you should also consider some features that slot layouts have such as directional damage, a bit of eye candy to overcome spreadsheet feel, and in Star Fury's case moddable weapon arcs etc.

On the other hand, there has to be some caution for use of slot layouts, such as having them attached to individual ships as in Star Fury, if you are transferring such a system to a Space Empires type game.

And for the record I can design ships equally fast between both systems. The primary reason why it might take longer to design is a ship is not necessarily click and drag, but because you need to take more caution in where you place items - which sounds like a strategic decision to me...

[Fyron]

Captain Kwok said:
Although Fyron's poll is obviously biased...

Erm... how is the poll biased? It covers all the opitons: yes and yes, yes and no, don't care, no and yes, no and no. The descriptions are not slanted or anything. It covers both extremes, having changed your mind, and the middle ground.