Give immediate feedback when units are given impossible task
Posted: 11 Mar 2017, 14:05
Units don't move when you click an unpassable tile (ticket #2803). It would be good to know that instantly.
Cursor feedback
Currently, an X-shaped cursor ('./data/base/images/intfac/image_cursor_notpos.png') indicates moving to cliffs and certain buildings is not possible. It should indicate all unpassable tiles, unlike below:
The minimap lacks that cursor altogether, which is often a problem when units are sent ahead with queue orders:
There is no feedback for exceeding structure limits in queue orders. I suggest to show the X-shaped cursor immediately when trying to place an impossible building along with a warning: "Cannot build cyborg factory, structure limit is 1":
I used maim to capture screenshots with cursor.
Sound feedback
If units are selected and the X-shaped cursor is shown (including suggested uses above) the 'fail' sound './data/base/audio/sfx/interfce/beep8.ogg' should be played. It is currently reserved for attempts to build burning oil dericks and some obscure situations. I think overall this would be an excellent improvement, though there are disadvantages:
Cursor feedback
Currently, an X-shaped cursor ('./data/base/images/intfac/image_cursor_notpos.png') indicates moving to cliffs and certain buildings is not possible. It should indicate all unpassable tiles, unlike below:
- Wrong cursor! The cyborg is not Jesus.
- water.png (92.64 KiB) Viewed 2507 times
- Radar suggests all targets are passable.
- minimap.png (93.98 KiB) Viewed 2507 times
- Cursor and warning should indicate exceeded structure limits.
- construction_queue.png (104.04 KiB) Viewed 2507 times
Sound feedback
If units are selected and the X-shaped cursor is shown (including suggested uses above) the 'fail' sound './data/base/audio/sfx/interfce/beep8.ogg' should be played. It is currently reserved for attempts to build burning oil dericks and some obscure situations. I think overall this would be an excellent improvement, though there are disadvantages:
- Burning oil derricks are valid as destinations and in queue orders. To avoid confusion, I suggest not to play the sound for burning oil derricks since a warning message is given anyway.
- Units would need to be deselected before clicking on e.g. a power generator unless the 'fail' sound can be tolerated.