Fractal Softworks Forum
Starsector => Suggestions => Topic started by: Igncom1 on March 07, 2020, 12:53:32 AM
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Based on this topic right here: http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=18137.0
Shield colouring themselves has no real game-play value as it doesn't accurately display good or bad shields when used.
So I figure why not tie shield colour to the % of flux a ship has built up, moving from stable low flux blue to critical flux orange/red when you are about to overload.
This could be a good way of telling the player if a ship is close to the breaking point at a glance without the need of a stat bar, much like how an armour broken ship visually looks like it is shattered.
If I haven't presented the idea properly then please assist me below. Thoughts?
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Honestly I was more drawn to the first suggestion there where shield color would show the effectiveness of said shields, I think that's also important to know in battles since it makes a world of difference. Idk, personally I've never had issues looking at flux bars but if it would help a large number of players, I'm all for it.
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That is also a good idea, at leas in my opinion.
Especially if say my shield would change colour based upon having hardened shields that changes just how effective they are.
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I'm personally just a big fan of using visual effects rather than UI to communicate stuff to the player. I love the damaged armor look in the game, it's one of my favorite things, and it would be cool to have a similar effect on shields. Color is an easy way to do it, but you could also do it with textures or effects (like cracks, flickering, static etc.)
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To convey both the efficiency of shields and the ship's flux level, colour of the shield could be used for the former and (lack of) transparency for the former. An Enforcer's shield would be red and fade into transparency quickly at 0 flux, but would be very saturated and eye catching at high flux level.
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An Enforcer's shield would be red and fade into transparency quickly at 0 flux, but would be very saturated and eye catching at high flux level.
Not like that. Seeing exact shield arc currently deployed is no less important, including at 0 flux.
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I think the edge of the shield could be unaffected
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Coloring the shields as flux levels build would be kind of interesting for an "at-a-glance" representation of how soon they are to be forced to drop (or else overload). It's kind of game-y but SS combat is sorta arcade-like anyway.
I wouldn't make the shields more transparent or opaque as flux builds, however, for reasons previously stated. A bright blue (high-tech) shield might slowly change to indigo as it takes damage while a red (low-tech) shield might slowly change toward a hazard-yellow. Midline could go from white(ish) to red.
Of course, you still need to be able to allow for color change in things like the Fortress Shield.
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A radial gradient on the shield transparency (centred on the ship) would be able to convey flux level without compromising the visible bounds of the shield.
So as flux levels rise the shield would appear thicker or thinner, whichever is more intuitive.
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Perhaps thin lines that emanate from the edge of the shield radially facing inwards that lengthens the more flux the shield has.