Just two ideas with building queues and sattelite view.

[fulano]

I know you guys are overworked and underpaid and I'm grateful for what you do! Also, thanks for the latest release!

I was just thinking about why this game isn't more popular and had a few thoughts that might be easy to implement.

BZ2 lets you queue units of the same type once you have enough scrap to buy one. What if this was taken a step further and you let the player queue multiple units before you have the scrap. Just change it so each time a build order is given to the factory it queues it, then builds it cheapest first or in the order I pressed the buttons, whichever is easier to do. Then I don't have to worry about trying to dodge bullets while pressing shift-3 10 times with only two hands so I can spend my scrap before it's refill slows down in the green part of the scrap bar. I know, that IS part of the experience of BZ2... But some may consider it more fun this way.

The feature could even be added to the construction units, then they'll just sit there until they have the money to start construction once you've given them an order.

The other idea was to make the satellite view a button (like "4", put it next to the armory which is "3") so it can be used anywhere instead of a building you have to manually access. You just have to have the building to be able to use the ability. I know people get frustrated trying to coordinate several groups of units while dodging bullets themselves, but also sitting back in your base watching while your tanks do all the work is lame. With this feature you could park behind a hill and give everybody instructions, then you can drive in and take out the scion radar jammer so your approaching units will actually shoot something.

I don't mind being told the ideas are lame. If they are, please let me know.

[appel]

The idea is lame.

[APCs r Evil]

I believe your second idea has already been implemented, but if I remember correctly it's very buggy in multiplayer, perhaps even singleplayer.

[General BlackDragon]

works in SP, doesn't work in MP.

I have some DLL work around....though it's still shaky.

[Axeminister]

The first idea can never be even considered in a strategy type game. What you are talking about is not strategy, but a pre-determined wish list of units to have. Strategy causes you to first think you need a gun tower, but see maulers rushing and change your mind to build a rocket tank so it's salvo rockets can quickly knock them down, where a tower would not do it fast enough. Your idea would not work unless you already knew you were going to win with those units, then what would be the point.
The second idea is already something you can do on the Greenheart recycler variant (which comes with the new 1.3.6.2 patch which I highly recommed you get) by building what is called a the "Command vehicle" (I think that's what it's called) which you hop into and drive to where you want to command your units from and press "C" and it will work as relay bunker does for the commander, I think this ship was created because thugs can't enter the relay bunker.

[APCs r Evil]

Ah, thank you. I had no clue what that thing was for.

The few times I play an MPI I generally stick to the stock recyclers.

[Zax]

The first idea can never be even considered in a strategy type game. What you are talking about is not strategy, but a pre-determined wish list of units to have. Strategy causes you to first think you need a gun tower, but see maulers rushing and change your mind to build a rocket tank so it's salvo rockets can quickly knock them down, where a tower would not do it fast enough. Your idea would not work unless you already knew you were going to win with those units, then what would be the point.
The second idea is already something you can do on the Greenheart recycler variant (which comes with the new 1.3.6.2 patch which I highly recommed you get) by building what is called a the "Command vehicle" (I think that's what it's called) which you hop into and drive to where you want to command your units from and press "C" and it will work as relay bunker does for the commander, I think this ship was created because thugs can't enter the relay bunker.

EVERY RTS has that Axe so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

I want 5 axemen and 3 slingers, I order em up at the barracks and it happens.

BZ2 you are working with many fewer resources, so a multi tiered queue would not work for the reasons Axe mentioned. In any other RTS where you have 500 food and can make so many of everything it is ideal. In BZ2 with 65 scrap and one tank per minute or so, not so much

[Axeminister]

I mis-spoke then, I actually don't play RTs games and didn't know that.

[Zax]

I mis-spoke then, I actually don't play RTs games and didn't know that.

No worries, you were right, but for the wrong reason.

[fulano]

The first idea can never be even considered in a strategy type game.

I was also wondering why you made the comment.

BZ2 has the queue already it's just limited. You can't build the first unit until you have scrap, you can only queue one type of unit, and you're limited what will fit in one group. These limitations look more like programming shortcuts the designers made than actually making the game more fun. You wouldn't queue very deep. Plus you can clear the queue with tab if you need to change it.

The reason I mention it is because BZ2's interface is tedious. Currently you cannot fight and command units at the same time with a mouse/keyboard. You need two hands to queue up units. I haven't gotten any of my friends/family/wife interested in the RTS side of this game and the interface is one of the reasons.

When you play an IA map you can't go far because you have to tell the constructor what to build every minute or so. If you could queue a building you can head out intercepting incoming enemy units and you would only have to return to build what you have scrap for, then queue the next building.

Once you have your defenses built up you head out to try to take out the scattered defensive buildings that hinder your expansion while your army builds up. When you have enough scrap to build something you either have to run away & hide long enough to select what to build next or you have to finish off whatever you are fighting. Either way scrap gets wasted if you don't get it built in time. If I could have a more in depth queue I could make the queue before I go fight things and I don't have to stop if it runs out.

The second idea is already something you can do on the Greenheart recycler variant.

That's awesome! I wondered what that thing was for. The Greenheart variant is my favorite, though I like to play with the weapons in the insane variant on occasion. Thanks for the tip!

[S.cavA.rmyG.en]

for some rezen I am thinking that I want to set up a unit so it defalts to one of the base grupes and build 5 or 10 at a once at drop points.
that way when they all show up at once it dose not spam the control system.
for balence I can give them a higher price tag or make them have lower armer or some thing. but the problem is desiding which base slot to free up for it.

[Nielk1]

for some rezen I am thinking that I want to set up a unit so it defalts to one of the base grupes and build 5 or 10 at a once at drop points.
that way when they all show up at once it dose not spam the control system.
for balence I can give them a higher price tag or make them have lower armer or some thing. but the problem is desiding which base slot to free up for it.

I have a black background god dammit let the CSS pick the text color.

[Red Spot]

You can just select the text and it turns white ... that being said ... empty post .. woot ..