Test Game (pre-beta)

[unclemike]

Keep in mind that in 2016, we actually may have 3 different order submission procedures:

(1) old order checker for 2nd Cycle games

(2) new website for 3rd Cycle games

(3) fully interactive map for Kingdoms of Arcania (or 4th Cycle) games

All three types of games will run in their own respective server environment and independent from each other. You won't be able to use the interactive map for 2nd Cycle games or the new website for Kingdoms of Arcania. As a player community, this is something that we need to adjust as we move forward with new software.

[Lord Diamond]

UM,

Is there any way that you could provide a manual entry section or tab to the new site that doesn't require all the various tabs and dropdowns?

I don't want to stifle your enthusiasm, but I am not enjoying the new order entry at all. It is much more time consuming than what I have become accustomed to and it isn't nearly as efficient for me. I can see its many benefits for new players and some play styles, but it actually makes it quite a bit harder for players like myself. I have begun to dread entering orders or my Halflings.

Thanks,

[Netstrider]

I second this motion.

[unclemike]

I'll see what I can do in the next few weeks but keep in mind that other than map locations, the interactive map will offer the same dropdown lists as the new site so try to get used to them.

[HeadHoncho]

Once someone told me about being able to type in coordinates from the drop down menu, I have found it much easier.

[unclemike]

There's actually a brief timeout period by the browser while it waits for the user to enter two consecutive letters so if you wait a couple of seconds before pressing the second letter, the dropdown list will move to the first entry of the second letter instead of what you want. So type fairly quickly and you shouldn't have an issue with it.

I'm a bit sad at hearing that people don't like the new site's dropdown lists for assigning their actions. Fall of Rome operated in the same manner. Instead of clicking on a menu-tab, you click on an icon on the top row (for political, covert, ...etc). The page then displayed the listing of kingdom assets in that category to choose from (emissary, group, ...etc.) and the user then selects their action from a dropdown list.

Alamaze is a more sophisticated game so you have more dropdown lists to choose from. The upcoming interactive map will replace the map coordinate dropdown lists but just about all of the others will carry forward into the next version. Fall of Rome operated in this manner like many other online games. Now Alamaze is more than halfway there and people want the older version to manually enter everything again. Just can't win nowadays

[VballMichael]

That is sad. But after doing this for a couple of years, most of us know the order numbers and command sequences by rote, and can enter orders much faster on an open spreadsheet than on a few pages of pull down menus. The new system certainly helps newbies and is kind of cool for veterans, but overall a choice is always good.

For instance, on the new order system, I cannot figure out how to do a simple 888 order with a wizard who is moving to a new group via 701.

[unclemike]

That is sad. But after doing this for a couple of years, most of us know the order numbers and command sequences by rote, and can enter orders much faster on an open spreadsheet than on a few pages of pull down menus. The new system certainly helps newbies and is kind of cool for veterans, but overall a choice is always good.

For instance, on the new order system, I cannot figure out how to do a simple 888 order with a wizard who is moving to a new group via 701.

Already answered the transfer in: http://kingdomsofarcania.net/forum/showt...0#pid33870

[Ry Vor]

Players just need some time to get accustomed to this method.  Yes, it might take a while to find out where a command is, but again, we've only had a couple turns with this and it should eliminate almost all player entry errors.  I can't emphasize enough how many code changes were needed for the game in 3rd Cycle and then this web based order entry was on top of that all in a very short amount of development time.

Sometimes we just don't give thought to how much there is to do.  Almost all PBEM players have thought about designing and producing a game, and about 90% give up before their game is 10% through.  Today I named 350 characters for 3rd Cycle.  I'm guessing most players don't think of something like that taking up time.

Thanksgiving week with lots of company in town. 

[Jumpingfist]

I thought I would not like the order entree. But I actually like it.
Perhaps the summary page could allow blind additions to orders