Command & Conquer User Interface Poll

[Sonic 296]

C&C Community Manager, EA_CIRE, has started a new poll on the Official C&C Forums asking the simple question, "What kind of user interface would you prefer on our next C&C game?". Your voting options are as follows....

• Bottom bar UI (Like Generals)
• Side bar UI (Like the Tiberium saga)

I think its it's clear what most people will vote for. Traditionally, Command & Conquer games have used the sidebar option. Personally, I'd like to see a hybrid or a more customisable user interface. A sidebar that can be moved to the left, right, top or bottom of the screen. If you want to vote, you can do so by clicking here, or by visiting the Official C&C Facebook page.

[Guest Stevie_K]

Sidebar! No doubt! Screens are wider than they are tall. Why on earth not take advantage of that?

 

[Inferno 22]

Sidebar! No doubt! Screens are wider than they are tall. Why on earth not take advantage of that?

Clever thinking there.

[neogrant 4]

Sidebar all the way.

[Chimas 7]

I don't know if it is better, but one hybrid could be "corner bars".

Other option is creating an interface for tablets and i-gadgets (touchscreen).

In YouTube I've seen a game called EndWar which is commanded by voice (I know it might not be a big deal, but I had to mention it).

 

And a last one could be choosing any of them: bottom, side, etc ...

 

I mean, we have to try new things sometimes.

Right now all computers I have, I set the windows toolbar as a left sidebar.

 

For instance I'd bet many people that will vote for sidebar probably use their windows toolbar as a bottom bar.

 

Freedom of choice is still the best for me.

And thanks for the *GA screen infograph.

[Nmenth 291]

For instance I'd bet many people that will vote for sidebar probably use their windows toolbar as a bottom bar.

That is hardly even comparable, the Windows bar is very narrow and a Windows desktop is not a game.

 

[Chimas 7]

That is hardly even comparable, the Windows bar is very narrow and a Windows desktop is not a game.

 

Don't worry, I'm not complaining or saying people are incoherent or so. Or, it's not about judgement or comparison.

I'm just pointing out that it seems a kind of irony, in that case.

The thing is we tend to receive things "done", don't have to try anything. But when we have choice, we go out changing everything.

[TheBlackOut 7]

As much as I love the sidebar in C&C, the bottom bar in Gens & ZH was a hell of a lot easier to use and use effectively (read: competitively) to me. But it took up too much of the screen imo.

[Ferret 0]

Sidebar, gg.

[Renamon 0]

yeah, i would prefer the hybrid sidebar that Sonic suggested but with a few adjustments. like the ability to split the minimap, build ques and current selected unit portrait from the sidebar and move them independently wherever on the screen you want. so you can rearrange the sidebar to have the production structures build que on the right, the selected unit portrait in the top left and the minimap right in the middle of the screen (i seriously hope none of you do this) or you could just stay default bottom bar. they could take this further and make the individual sections scaleable like your internet browser, no more need to turn japanese just to see the green radar blips on a fertile plains map!

 

this way they can try something new, something that works and appeal to tradition all in one system!

 

 

tl;dr - bottom bar.

 

p.s. LOL at whoever decided it was a good idea to make this stupid poll in the OFFICIAL FORUMS filled with the most hardcore westwood fanboys who just cant let go of the past. of course they're all going to vote sidebar. just another stunt to make people think they actually have a say in what goes in a game when they've already made up their mind. like that pointless 'name C&C4!' contest they had.

Edited June 19, 2011 by Renamon

[Gben 20]

Weird. I tried to login to the official forums, but it just wouldn't work after repeated attempts.

 

I think a sidebar on a widescreen monitor makes obvious sense. I've never really complained about a bottom bar in any of the games that it comes with though.

I think in this day an age, the ability to choose the location should not be too difficult a task for the programmers.

And if we can borrow and develop the windows start bar idea...

 

Why not fully customise the groups and icons itself? Why not have a favourites group for the 2min rushers? Why not have your fav units close to hand? Why not be able to move the tabs or build cues or wherevever you like? Why not choose between the default, every single bit of noob information you can find (including portraits), then a normal icon and description, and then just the minimalist icon with pop-up information?

 

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Really, as long as there are keyboard shortcuts, and they are fully mappable, the location debate is moot and more a question of style rather than substance.

"Professional" or "Competitive" gamers are going to rely on keyboard shortcuts in the end.

IMO.

[Guest Stevie_K]

I think World of Warcraft have proven a point worth a consideration.

Allowing the player to customize large parts of the user interface works well.

 

I'd like to see something similar in the next C&C. At least on a basic level. After all, most C&C fans would be satisfied with that solution.