Simpler Upgrade Descriptions

[Deleted]

I love the new upgrades. But whats with the long descriptions? For example, for the Hyperion Gun Decks upgrade, wouldn't be easier and simpler for the player if the description just said "adds 10 crew, 2 guns and 5 armor. Combat bonus for gun"? As opposed to the current description "replaces ship gun deck architecture with Hyperion Shipyard designs. Ancient and sophisticated, these reinforced structures allow around the clock Gun readiness. Increases the ship's maximum crew by 10, adds 5 to the maximum Cargo and adds 2 guns"? I mean, it wouldn't be as bad if there were only a few upgrades, but there are 55 upgrades currently and counting. It would be a lot easier for new players to have to go through a library of upgrades if the upgrade descriptions were short, simple and straight to the point. Otherwise, the high amount of upgrades to choose from combined with the long and confusing descriptions may turn off some players or lessen the experience and make it more difficult for the player. Here's an example:

Prow Superstructure: "Installs an over-sized prow superstructure to house a set of auxiliary solar sails and fueling systems as well as extended..." why so serious? or complex? Its just +8 cargo, +3 sails. There's no need to describe how the upgrade is installed or the story behind it, just what it does.

Hyperion Superstructure: "Replaces Ship internal superstructure with Hyperion Shipyard designs..." who cares if its 'Hyperion shipyard designs'? Most don't know what that means, or cares. I mean I've been playing for 2 years so I love details and story, but that's why there's flavor rumors so players who want additional mumbo jumbo and story can listen to them. Most others aren't interested though. Especially new players, when there faced with 55 new upgrades, they want to read, understand and remember them quickly. Just put "adds 5 armor and increases resistance vs ship damage" and if you want make a flavor rumor that talks about Hyperion designs and how it makes the Hyperion superstructure and Hyperion decks and the like. And then the Hyperion Superstructure goes on to say "ancient and formidable..." (again just unnecessary flavor) "these structures increase the durability of the ship". Increase durability? I mean I know because I asked Cory Trese himself, but otherwise I'd have no idea what that means. Deep-space bonus? Ship lasts longer so less accidents? Greater salvage if you trade it in because the structure lasts longer?

It's not my game. After being smited every time I make a complaint, I think some people think that I think it's my game, so I want to emphasize that I know its not. My opinion is that if you're gonna have 60 upgrades, it would be best to remove flavor and just keep the main points. Someone like me who's been playing forever probably wouldn't mind, but those who are new might find it overwhelming and a boring task to have to go through 60 flavor-filled upgrade descriptions over and over. But it's not my game, and that's just my oppinion. If you guys feel how it is currently is best, so be it. I love ST, and no matter what I still think its one of the... no, THE best game on Android. Having said that, I hope no one takes this post the wrong way and smites me (again) for suggesting a change.

[Cory Trese]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take a look!

[Slide87]

Reversing flavor description with upgrade stats?

SHALUN MERCENARIES
+30 Crew
" bla bla bla bla"

So the stats are immediately under the upgrade name, and then the flavor text follows

[Cory Trese]

All good suggestions.

[athios]

I actually like the flavour texts. Kinda fills out the universe a little more instead of having ST as a pure stats-based game.

I will admit that it makes it somewhat difficult when trying to compare different upgrades to choose the best suited. Perhaps an option toggle for veteran players to switch off flavour texts? not sure whether this is implementable though.

[Cory Trese]

Toggle wouldn't be an option. I'll have to balance both arguments and try to find the right place for the content.

[Deleted]

Aug 5, 2013 3:09:27 GMT -5 Cory Trese said:

Toggle wouldn't be an option. I'll have to balance both arguments and try to find the right place for the content.

You can always put flavour for some upgrades in rumors. And I like when the description states bonuses/ penalties ( ie combat bonus at medium and lower range, increases resistance vs board, penalty for avoiding encounters etc). It's just when it goes into things that have nothing to do with gameplay that I feel it's too much. Plus, with most upgrades just stating the gameplay effects and only a few going into background info and flavour, it makes those long description upgrades seem like they're better. For example, tell me which upgrade would seem better to you, a new player:

Dreadnought Architecture: Increases armour by 6 and resistance vs ram and board. Provides a penalty for avoiding encounters in deep-space.

Dreadnought Architecture: Replaces the ship's internal and external armor plans with superior Dreadnought designs, designed to withstand damage and boarding combat. Increases the ship's ram defense and board defense capabilities.

For most, they're gonna see that 1 upgrade in the very bottom of the list that has a long description and is most expensive and they're gonna figure that that must be the best upgrade.

[ncaoa]

Aug 5, 2013 4:28:42 GMT -5 @starfixer said:

Aug 5, 2013 3:09:27 GMT -5 Cory Trese said:

Toggle wouldn't be an option. I'll have to balance both arguments and try to find the right place for the content.

For most, they're gonna see that 1 upgrade in the very bottom of the list that has a long description and is most expensive and they're gonna figure that that must be the best upgrade.

All upgrades already list their effects in quotations next to their name. Other than a few that are statistical.
I don't see a point in removing the detail and emersion just for a slightly cleaner screen.

For gods sakes, give people some credit. I think most can read numbers and base desicions on something besides paragraph size.....

[Deleted]

But there are 55 upgrades (soon to be 60). It's gonna be alot easier for new players to go through all the upgrades if the descriptions are short and simple. Also, what's said in the name is just the component additions, not the additional bonuses (combat bonuses, signature penalties, etc). And for some upgrades, rather than the upgrade description saying those additional bonuses in black and white, its hidden in flavor.

There are actually multiple problems with how it is currently, and multiple solutions:
- remove the flavour of upgrades and just put in the component additions and additional bonuses/ penalties. There's no need to have things in the upgrade description that aren't relevant to gameplay. That's what rumours are for.
- leave the useless flavor but put in all the bonuses/ penalties after so the player A) needs not to guess anything from the flavour and B) can skip the flavour if he/ she wants to (ie hyperion gun decks - [flavor here]. Increases crew by 10, guns by 2, armor by 2. (minor/major) Combat bonus for gun)
- put in flavor for all upgrades, so the ones that currently have flavour don't stand out and seem better.
- remove flavour from the upgrade section in the help and put what it does in black and white (this probably wouldn't be the only solution though considering the help is so long already)

[Fenikso]

Some very nice ideas in here. Exalt, mr. Starfixer, I had this on mind for a long time!

+1 for moving flavor / fiction / detailed description text after the main description.
That would be helpful also in another sections of the game (like contract description) and very pleasing for veteran players. I definitely like the descriptions but I have read the fictional descriptions like 1M times already .

Also +1 for more clear upgrade mechanical descriptions so we do not need to guess which is better in some cases (boarding upgrades anyone?).

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2013 8:11:47 GMT -5 Fenikso said:

Some very nice ideas in here. Exalt, mr. Starfixer, I had this on mind for a long time!

+1 for moving flavor / fiction / detailed description text after the main description.
That would be helpful also in another sections of the game (like contract description) and very pleasing for veteran players. I definitely like the descriptions but I have read the fictional descriptions like 1M times already .

Also +1 for more clear upgrade mechanical descriptions so we do not need to guess which is better in some cases (boarding upgrades anyone?).

Which board upgrades are better would probably be in combat section of the help. I've actually been meaning to make some edits to the combat section for a while, such as putting in that warrior and strength does ram in addition to pilot and agility, assuming Cory Trese would let me edit the help.

For now, here's the board upgrades in order of which helps most

leviathan - best zero range upgrade with high warrior
attack shuttle bays - best transition upgrade with outnumbering crew
sonics - best zero range upgrade for resist vs board at zero ( compared to other type II/III offensive upgrades)
plasma cutters - best transition upgrade for first board action and no outnumbering crew ( compared to other Type II/III upgrades)
bulkheads - best for resist vs board/reducing board damage ( for an upgrade bonus)
impact shield - best board upgrade for vs ram ( evades ram attacks and decreases ram damage, but won't help for board directly)
weapons cabinet - best for board damage, and board attack if you don't have high warrior/ crew. Best with mercenaries and military officer. However, weapons can be taken via search and loot and increase encounters, unlike board upgrades
artifact chamber - best upgrade vs aliens if you have artifacts on-board, and a veteran
Hyperion suit - best for increasing HP damage and decreasing HP loss (with high strength)

this is only for combat upgrades, not structural or interior upgrades which can also help for board

As a boarder, I like weapons cabinet. I feel it provides the greatest difference for board. That's just me though.

[ncaoa]

Does the cabinet have effects other than storage?

[Fenikso]

I think that one item type tailored storages (Cabinet, Databank etc.) do not count when it comes to negative effect of the stored cargo.

[Deleted]

Aug 7, 2013 1:59:01 GMT -5 Fenikso said:

I think that one item type tailored storages (Cabinet, Databank etc.) do not count when it comes to negative effect of the stored cargo.

that is incorrect. Artifact chamber and water tank prevent stored cargo from detection, not cabinet, databank.

ncaoa. No, the cabinets only effect is increased storage. I treat the cabinets bonus like the bonus of 25 weapons.

[Guest]

How about moving all the extra descriptions to the cost page after you click on an upgrade and keep only the stat and bonus information on the main upgrade list? Or even move the min-max information there instead. Either way there would be much more space for flavor descriptions, and there are many upgrades that would actually need descriptions added.