Notes 'tool tip'

[beyond.wudge]

When I saw the notes feature I actually expected it to show up on the Galaxy map.

I thought I could replace the P0-9 system with two-three letter notes like "IC" or "Eye" or "Fab". As I hovered over planets along a route I'd quickly garner what was there and only use the P0-9 system where I wanted permanent markers (end points for my expansion for instance).

Would it be possible to add something like this to the game?

I've mocked up something in paint to illustrate the kind of thing I am talking about.

With two letter long notes it would be very unobtrusive.

Edit: Did better version in second picture.

[Hearteater]

An alternate suggestion that I would love would be to allow me to show one icon from a structure present on a planet.  For examples I could have a small Dyson Sphere appear next to that planet instead of renaming it to Dyson every game.  Same for a Super Terminal.

[Nodor]

While I love the idea above, I've been using galaxy map filter to track stuff.

But I'd like to add "Neutral NPC Installations" (Dyson Sphere, N.R.C Corps, etc.) to the filter list. 

Also, on the AI side, Raid engines. 

Alternatively, in addition to the prioirity P0-P9; adding sprites to that list so we could add "visual representation" to uploaded screenshots so that we don't need to name the ARS planet as ARS planet 1.

I suspect this is an expansion request.
 

[zoutzakje]

hmmm I always remember wherever important stuff in the galaxy is, even on 120 planet games. My use of the 'P' option is good enough to instantly see where what is. P8 is always ARS for example, without exception.
And i consider the dyson sphere to be important enough to always remember where it is. Besides, all the enemy worlds around it are (still) always on alert, meaning you should notice the difference in amount of ships on it's surrounding planets.
But there are some things I dont have a P for, like raid engines. Or multiple targets on a single planet and I can only mark it with one P at a time.
I suggest that we get more options to mark priority targets (P0-P20? P30 perhaps even?) and that we can somehow select multiple numbers for a single planet. If there is a dyson sphere, ARS and a cursed golem on a planet for example, I want to be able to mark it as P9, P8, P6. Instead of always having to pick one number and then forget there's a whole bunch of other stuff on that planet too.

[Eternaly_Lost]

hmmm I always remember wherever important stuff in the galaxy is, even on 120 planet games. My use of the 'P' option is good enough to instantly see where what is. P8 is always ARS for example, without exception.
And i consider the dyson sphere to be important enough to always remember where it is. Besides, all the enemy worlds around it are (still) always on alert, meaning you should notice the difference in amount of ships on it's surrounding planets.
But there are some things I dont have a P for, like raid engines. Or multiple targets on a single planet and I can only mark it with one P at a time.
I suggest that we get more options to mark priority targets (P0-P20? P30 perhaps even?) and that we can somehow select multiple numbers for a single planet. If there is a dyson sphere, ARS and a cursed golem on a planet for example, I want to be able to mark it as P9, P8, P6. Instead of always having to pick one number and then forget there's a whole bunch of other stuff on that planet too.

I do tend to remember where the important stuff is, it just finding it the first time can be annoying. I almost always unlock MK4 scouts and order 1-2 of them to auto scout well the other 6 hop into my front lines for Tachyon duty. But after they are done, I have to look at every planet to find out where the Dyson is. Everything else that I really care about is on a filter somewhere (AI reducers, ARS, Factories, ETC) But not the Dyson Sphere. I would like a filter for that a lot...

[keith.lamothe]

I had started on a filter for dyson sphere, etc, but ran into some snags when I tried to fold in the devourer or trader (because they're mobile and it's a lot harder to figure out "should I show this because a scout was ever here even if there isn't one now?" and so on).  Also was trying to fold in the dyson-antagonizer but that has a similar problem since it wasn't there from the start.  Maybe I'll just cut the scope of it back to the definitely-immobile-and-always-been-there like the Dyson, Silos, etc and that should work.

[Nodor]

<snip>
P8 is always ARS for example, without exception.

<snip>
 I want to be able to mark it as P9, P8, P6. Instead of always having to pick one number and then forget there's a whole bunch of other stuff on that planet too.

I tend to use P9 for ARS, P5 for DataCenters, etc.  But rather than explain that I would prefer to use an icon.  It makes it easier for places like Steam where I can share screenshots - and don't have the bandwidth to explain what the icons on the map mean.

[Eternaly_Lost]

I had started on a filter for dyson sphere, etc, but ran into some snags when I tried to fold in the devourer or trader (because they're mobile and it's a lot harder to figure out "should I show this because a scout was ever here even if there isn't one now?" and so on).  Also was trying to fold in the dyson-antagonizer but that has a similar problem since it wasn't there from the start.  Maybe I'll just cut the scope of it back to the definitely-immobile-and-always-been-there like the Dyson, Silos, etc and that should work.

The best way to do the trader and Devourer, would to have it only show on the filter if it was currently being scouted/seen by a ship otherwise put up a message somewhere to say that location of Trader/Devourer unknown and maybe stick next to it the last known planet so people know where to start scouting for it.

[beyond.wudge]

I use codes too with my Ps.

However, getting my friend into AI war I realized that abbreviations of actual units names can be a much more powerful system and far easier to communicate than trying to share your effectively 'icon based' code with a friend. They're like hotkeys, the associations can be very personal and it's easier to agree on a short text name for something than on what icon suites it.

I like the unit images idea a lot but once again, customizable text is the much more powerful _and_ new player friendly option (especially given the unit images don't always immediately convey their significance to you. Sometimes the units are quite odd looking given their in-game performance).

Having both would be great to suite different player styles (maybe a forum style bracketed text system could be a nice hybrid solution) but if I had to choose, customizable text would be my preference any day.

[Hearteater]

Ok, assuming text labels needed to be fixed, what would be a nice set?  I'm thinking:
ARS - Advanced Research Station
ST - Super Terminal
CP - Co-Processor
BH - Blackhole Generator
AF - Advanced Factory
<A>, <B>, etc. - Core Shield Generators
SF - Super Fortress
EYE - AI Eye

[beyond.wudge]

Also, short words could do.

Fort
SFort
Ion1 Ion II IonIII (different possible formats)
Mass1 etc

Would be possibles as well.

Depends on the size of the text and how clean your filters are.

[Hearteater]

Short words get mixed in with system names too easily.  I'd prefer 3 character or less abbreviations.

[beyond.wudge]

True, but they'll only appear when you hover over the system (unless you have always show names on, which I'm presuming you do?).

[Hearteater]

Nah, always show is too cluttered.  I just hold down control when you need names.  But when I do have them all up it would be messy.

[beyond.wudge]

That is what I find about the P icons as well. I like to use them mark boundaries, what is on a planet or not a quick mouseover note that I and my teammates can see would do the trick.