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Author Topic: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability  (Read 748 times)

BigBrainEnergy

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Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« on: February 06, 2024, 09:29:33 PM »
While it is nice having your abilities automatically switch between "default" and "hyperspace" setups, the ability bar is getting a little cramped. The distress beacon gets used so rarely it really shouldn't be occupying that prime real estate. Instead you could put a shiny red button next to the minimap for the rare occasions the player does need to signal for help. This change isn't desperately needed as everything works just fine as is, but it would help streamline things just a little bit more. Plus it would spice up the UI just little bit, because honestly I think everyone likes the idea of having a big red panic button they can click.

Here's a little mockup of what I'm talking about:
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TL;DR deez nuts

Fenrir

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Re: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2024, 12:11:44 PM »
We have a shiny grimy little button says "Next" which switches ability bar to next page. Just move it to our sub-prime real estate of page 2
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Quote from: Alex on February 20, 2024, 12:03:26 PM
*cough* try tossing the PK into a black hole *cough*

BigBrainEnergy

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Re: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2024, 02:30:32 PM »
I know that, but switching between pages is slightly inconvenient.
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TL;DR deez nuts

TheFreind

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Re: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2024, 10:26:10 AM »
I have to agree with Fenrir. Although I love the tactility of a panic button and the way you implement it, I feel that slotting Distress Call in the next page is such a rare event that it feels extra special going through the extra motion. As if you're opening the glass case to the big red button. Or "Oh, hell. Helmsman, dust off the Spacer's Guidebook and turn to page 42. Desperate times call for desperate measures" sort of ordeal.

Btw, love all your videos BigBrain. Keep them coming!
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SteelHeart

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Re: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2024, 11:23:34 AM »
You might be able to get the same effect with good feed back if you make is so that a pair of actions are taken when pressing the button. IE, you press the red button and a little "are you sure" thing pops up.
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Killer of Fate

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Re: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2024, 11:44:41 AM »
can't you just remove it from your bar using right-click???
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Goumindong

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Re: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2024, 03:31:00 PM »
Also distress mechanics are opaque. (How long do you wait before sending another signal?!)
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xenapan

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Re: Distress Call shouldn't be an ability
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2024, 10:57:02 AM »
I tend to just remove something else to add distress call back to my bar to use it rather than switch to next page.

Personally I think it should also be a toggle on. Why is it turning off??? I'm still in distress! (for the two times I used it... I think it took 6 or 7 uses to actually get someone to deliver me fuel)
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