The Base Planner

  • GigaPirate
    GigaPirate
    Unicorn Overlord
    Joined Jul 2011 Posts: 5,046
    This sounds like a great addition that has been needed for a long time. I would like the ability to right/left justify my layout or to move the whole design in any direction by one tile. I did a major redesign about two months ago and then realized that set-up would work better if I made some minor changes. Unfortunately, my base is stuck right in the corner of the build zone and to make the small changes everything needs to shift to the left and I just haven't had the motivation to do it. If I were able to make the shift, making the small changes wouldn't take much time, but would improve my defenses.
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  • Forbidden Warrior
    Forbidden Warrior
    Skilled Warrior
    Joined Mar 2012 Posts: 324
    NOTE: Make sure you have read the rules for posting in this forum: http://forums.kixeye.com/showthread.php?t=185189 . Also be sure to read this post in it's entirety before you reply.

    We want to give players a more streamlined method for designing bases.

    We are currently working on early designs for the Base Planner. This interface will allow players to open up a planning grid on which land tiles and buildings can be arranged. When you are finished with your design on the grid, you can save your design, and execute the changes to your base with one click of the mouse.

    One of areas of base design that can be the most time consuming is wall placement. There will be a feature, currently dubbed “autowalls”, that will allow users to easily reposition many wall segments at one time. This feature will automatically detect the correct wall segment that visually matches the direction the wall is facing. Once a wall is placed, you can manually change the visual type of an individual wall segment.

    The automatic function of “autowalls” will be disabled on existing walls to preserve existing base designs. Newly constructed wall segments (including those placed in the Base Planner) will be automatically oriented by default. We will be removing the 3 different shapes of walls from the Build menu and replacing them with the single, more universal shape.

    In addition, we’re making sure to give players control over when their base configuration is saved. Experiment with illegal setups along the way - the tool will validate your changes when ready, as opposed to every single step along the way. This should dramatically speed up the time required to rearrange bases, while also encouraging people to experiment with different base layouts.

    As this is a feature being developed heavily on player feedback, we want to make sure that we are giving you as many utilities as possible. Please take the time to answer some of these questions:
    • Aside from the issues already addressed above (building/tile placement & walls), what do you find is currently the most cumbersome aspect of base design?
    • Realistically, how many different, saved base layouts would you actually use?
    • The default setting for the Base Planner is to always center your base (like centering your text in a Word document). Would you have any need for the Base Planner to allow you to left or right (north/south) justify your base?
    • If you were to request one additional feature for the Base Planner, what would it be?

    if this is going to go on land 2 words

    MORE LAND
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  • captainjackswallows
    captainjackswallows
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined Feb 2012 Posts: 871
    NOTE: Make sure you have read the rules for posting in this forum: http://forums.kixeye.com/showthread.php?t=185189 . Also be sure to read this post in it's entirety before you reply.

    We want to give players a more streamlined method for designing bases.

    We are currently working on early designs for the Base Planner. This interface will allow players to open up a planning grid on which land tiles and buildings can be arranged. When you are finished with your design on the grid, you can save your design, and execute the changes to your base with one click of the mouse.

    One of areas of base design that can be the most time consuming is wall placement. There will be a feature, currently dubbed “autowalls”, that will allow users to easily reposition many wall segments at one time. This feature will automatically detect the correct wall segment that visually matches the direction the wall is facing. Once a wall is placed, you can manually change the visual type of an individual wall segment.

    The automatic function of “autowalls” will be disabled on existing walls to preserve existing base designs. Newly constructed wall segments (including those placed in the Base Planner) will be automatically oriented by default. We will be removing the 3 different shapes of walls from the Build menu and replacing them with the single, more universal shape.

    In addition, we’re making sure to give players control over when their base configuration is saved. Experiment with illegal setups along the way - the tool will validate your changes when ready, as opposed to every single step along the way. This should dramatically speed up the time required to rearrange bases, while also encouraging people to experiment with different base layouts.

    As this is a feature being developed heavily on player feedback, we want to make sure that we are giving you as many utilities as possible. Please take the time to answer some of these questions:
    • Aside from the issues already addressed above (building/tile placement & walls), what do you find is currently the most cumbersome aspect of base design?
    • Realistically, how many different, saved base layouts would you actually use?
    • The default setting for the Base Planner is to always center your base (like centering your text in a Word document). Would you have any need for the Base Planner to allow you to left or right (north/south) justify your base?
    • If you were to request one additional feature for the Base Planner, what would it be?

    This sounds good... :)
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  • kasper
    kasper
    Potential Threat
    Joined Aug 2011 Posts: 64
    sounds goood hope it works
  • The FkN HEATHEN
    The FkN HEATHEN
    Greenhorn
    Joined Dec 2011 Posts: 24
    It has been said a few times, but I want to say it again to Drive it home, a way to AI Test your base design. They would only need basic functions.
    -Aim for Chanel (Player could be forced to position fleet themselves)
    -Different weapons set up options (Mortar/Missile/Ballistic with an Assault/Siege Option)
    HEATHEN
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  • fubar1971
    fubar1971
    Skilled Warrior
    Joined Nov 2011 Posts: 487
    the only other thing i can think of is the ability to change the orientation (direction) of certain buildings(shipyard and dock) to best fit the space availability and reduce the chance of being able to snipe the dock. being able to rotate them by either 45 or 90 degree increments.
    battlepirates
    sector 189
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     war commander
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  • Hast at work
    Hast at work
    Master Tactician
    Joined Feb 2012 Posts: 2,308
    I would ask for a feature where you have a range circle centred on your mouse so you can check for SFB3 safe ranges.

    A big concern I have with this is you could scout a base and come attack it 5 minutes later and its a different setup? lol. THAT could cause problems.

    There might need to be some sort of cooldown or changeover time. Perhaps you can only do it under a bubble that was caused by more than 50% damage? SOMETHING
    Base Name: Praetor [Locust]
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  • OffMyMedz
    OffMyMedz
    Greenhorn
    Joined Oct 2011 Posts: 5
    hey swag, i think this is a brilliant idea and have a few suggestions of my own. if i have been attacked and someone has destroyed my base i am likely to want a redesign however there is 1 issue i cant move my repairing turrets and op until its repaired considering i may have been given an 18h bubble i can only re design for the last 6 hours and that's if i can make it on at all as a 12h repair for op can be a pain. now if we could move repairing buildings in this new designer someone who may be being farmed can redesign and take advantage of that 18h bubble. this would be a great help. Also is there any way the new designer could incorporate your fleets into it. for example i have some goliaths with thuds could the designer give me a choice of my fleets so when designing i can see the range of each ship into compared to their position on the design
  • Khalsa_
    Khalsa_
    Potential Threat
    Joined Jul 2011 Posts: 68
    I think this a very good idea and i echo the comments of the majority.

    Thank you!
    Game Name: Khalsa 
    Alliance: Lapdance [LPD]
  • defeter23
    defeter23
    Force to be Reckoned With
    Joined Apr 2012 Posts: 1,822
    I really like this idea and i think i would use 5 or more designs.

    But if we could have more,it would be a good play around with tool.

    Other than that,everything ive thought about has been added.
    Insert witting signature here
  • ark
    ark
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined Oct 2011 Posts: 1,056
    DAM AGAIN!!!

    i once suggested and was told would be too much coding to be implemented in the game but if u say u can make it do it.

    would be a really gd thing to have and once again u are stepping up the game.
    Warrior_Angel...level 30...sector 491...my base location:294174,72
    BI 5: winner of strike cruiser...BI 6: winner of HH-A

    http://support.kixeye.com/mail/
    The only thing this changes for you, if you are a high level player, is hitting bases so low that you have no business hitting them. What's the phrase... try picking on someone your own size?
  • Sharpton
    Sharpton
    Minor Nuisance
    Joined Sep 2011 Posts: 232
    Now this is finally something that will actually enhance the game! To be able to switch your base layout instantly from saved configs will be a lot of fun!!! What an awesome way to torment an attacker! They peek, line up, and poof your channel is on the other side! hahaha
    LIE of the DECADE!

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  • NuclearFallout
    NuclearFallout
    Unicorn Overlord
    Joined Aug 2011 Posts: 8,431

    • Aside from the issues already addressed above (building/tile placement & walls), what do you find is currently the most cumbersome aspect of base design?
    • Realistically, how many different, saved base layouts would you actually use?
    • The default setting for the Base Planner is to always center your base (like centering your text in a Word document). Would you have any need for the Base Planner to allow you to left or right (north/south) justify your base?
    • If you were to request one additional feature for the Base Planner, what would it be?
    1.) Moving walls, I usually end up deleting them all then replacing them and upgrading them back up to level 4.
    2.) 3, one for my current layout, Also one for the one I will use in the future if my current design fails and another one for my WH charity give aways.
    3.) I prefer for it to be in the center.
    4.) When the Alliance feature comes out, to allow fellow alliance members to view and possibly copy another alliance members design.
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  • Therrash
    Therrash
    Force to be Reckoned With
    Joined Oct 2011 Posts: 1,529
    1) 3-5 base designs allowed to be stored (but make it so they can not be switched in between base hits, so you couldn't prep someone's base and before you sent in your base fleet, they change layout) So have like 30 minute CD on being able to change base layouts after a base has been hit.

    2) Any buildings that aren't square, give the option to rotate them

    3) If the base doesn't start off empty (meaning if it's a copy of what your base is now including the buildings) allow us to remove all buildings and walls to make it easier and quicker to set land tiles as you want them.

    4) I also would like to be able to have it be off centered for the reasons others have mentioned already (set up so they have extra distance to go or make it so they are in range of guns when battle first loads)

    Those are the features I would like to see.
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  • kewlbrew
    kewlbrew
    Potential Threat
    Joined Apr 2012 Posts: 91
    I think this is an excellent possible change to the current game interface.

    For a given design, being able to grab it in total and slide it around for placement would be great. Good reasons why were given previously.

    When designing, having a movable range token would be handy. That way you can see where defending ship weapons will reach and where attacking fleet weapons will reach. Along the same lines, selectively turning on the range overlays for turrets would be useful.

    For design slots, three would work as a minimum but perhaps as many as 5. I think the ability to undo a bad change is important without having to re-place all the tiles, etc. That to me would mean a non-edit current design, a non-edit last design, and an open edit design. The open edit could import either the current or last design, as well as be a blank slate.

    -KB
  • Texas_Gal
    Texas_Gal
    Minor Nuisance
    Joined Apr 2012 Posts: 288
    Great Idea!! One wonderful feature would be to allow our land tiles to fit flatly within the rectangle that the system provides us. (white rectangle). As it sits now, we have to waste land tiles making jagged corners. I also agree that the ability to move the whole design up, down, or sideways without totally rebuilding it would be great also. So many times I get the whole thing built only to discover I'm too far one way or the other.
    Great Idea !!
    Texas_Gal
    ___LEVEL 84___ 
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  • Evil Ares
    Evil Ares
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined May 2011 Posts: 816
    Swagster this is much, much needed! Thank you! I'm really looking forward to this one!

    I would like to suggest the ability to flip/mirror your base - such if the base works with the entrance to the right side, the ability to flip the entrance (and whole base) to the left side.

    Also as someone already stated, does the dock have to always face the same way? Can we turn that rectangle to fit it elsewhere?

    Will the grid have numbers on it? This would be useful for people wanting to know if they are SFB3 proof.

    Someone also suggested the ability to copy someone else's base - I'm not a fan of this, nearly every base would be just about the same I'd suspect!
  • Azazel
    Azazel
    Minor Nuisance
    Joined Dec 2011 Posts: 135
    Finally. This seems like a freakin awesome idea to me. I hate moving walls.
    Azazel - Lvl 33 - current sect, noneya

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  • Evil Ares
    Evil Ares
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined May 2011 Posts: 816
    JDredbull wrote: »
    BAD IDEA !!!!!!

    prep fleets become bubble buddies (trust me im a bubble expert lol) this is a bubble dream

    Ah good point, never thought of that. But I ask what the difference is between the ability to flip a base and clicking on a saved version?
  • kwelname
    kwelname
    Skilled Warrior
    Joined Dec 2011 Posts: 521
    Any chance you can eliminate "Base center"

    Let us place land tiles anywhere in the grid.


    Lets say I want to build 4 islands.. 1 in each corner .. Why not? Sounds crazy but so are square bases...

    Creative people just might have fun building mazes etc...
  • Somalian BattlePirates
    Somalian BattlePirates
    Greenhorn
    Joined May 2012 Posts: 12
    Excellent idea, look forward to it, the game needs this
  • CurlyPubes
    CurlyPubes
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined Feb 2012 Posts: 823
    I love the idea.
    To answer the questions you posted:

    The most cumbersome aspect of base design is moving land tiles without creating narrow channels, or scrapping buildings or walls.
    I think 3 saved base layouts per player is a reasonable amount.
    I don't fully understand the 3rd question i guess, lol

    One additional feature, that could also make Kixeye some $$$$ :D Offer pre-made base design templates available for purchase with gold for those who lack time/creativity to make a decent base design. The dev's wouldn't even need to make the templates themselves, have a player contest or something, offer gold as reward for the designs you chose to use as templates. If you wanna kick me down some gold for the idea I won't argue with that either, lol

    Thanks
    SOS? Sorry, my magic fleet that sucks attackers out of bases and fixes your buildings is repairing.  
  • Zaharkan
    Zaharkan
    Incursion Leader
    Joined May 2012 Posts: 1,067
    My only issue is that I wouldn't want to be hitting a base with an online defender and him have 4 or 5 versions of his base, prep it and him have the ability to hit a single button and then be facing a completely different base with the entrance oriented in a different direction.
    Sweet Sweet Lemonade coming to a base near you
    image
    Drac Base #2 - Done Solo 
  • Evil Ares
    Evil Ares
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined May 2011 Posts: 816
    JDredbull wrote: »
    Either depends on time constraints since both need to be achieved in seconds (between attacks) so maybe limit how often you can change designs solves both problems

    Say can only change design once in 24hr or whatever just longer than 5mins for example

    Completely agreed. Only for saved ones though, you should have the ability to change it manually anytime.
  • Evil Ares
    Evil Ares
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined May 2011 Posts: 816
    Actually if there is damage of any kind to the base, unless you're in a bubble - you shouldn't be able to change to a saved version of the base. This would eliminate all attacker worries of someone wasting a prep fleet.
  • Zaharkan
    Zaharkan
    Incursion Leader
    Joined May 2012 Posts: 1,067
    Yeah I think to be fair if your base is attacked then you shouldn't be able to maybe change the base for 1 hour or when you get a bubble.

    Edit: Like Evil Ares idea much better.
    Sweet Sweet Lemonade coming to a base near you
    image
    Drac Base #2 - Done Solo 
  • ark
    ark
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined Oct 2011 Posts: 1,056
    what about wall pieces and buildings would you be able to put them in on the planer or would u have to do it manually coz having to move every thing is a chore
    Warrior_Angel...level 30...sector 491...my base location:294174,72
    BI 5: winner of strike cruiser...BI 6: winner of HH-A

    http://support.kixeye.com/mail/
    The only thing this changes for you, if you are a high level player, is hitting bases so low that you have no business hitting them. What's the phrase... try picking on someone your own size?
  • Fallen-sec86
    Fallen-sec86
    Incursion Leader
    Joined Sep 2011 Posts: 1,204
    and here i thought kixeye had run out of any good ideas long, long, ago (espescially after reading the possible new levels). Great idea.
     BP(retired, scrapped and fed my base to the res sharks)
    Sector 85.
    ID 100k ish
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  • Scurvy
    Scurvy
    Strike-force Captain
    Joined May 2011 Posts: 624
    I would like to see a way to test your base with you own fleet. I never get attacked when I can watch, only after I have gone to bed or while at work. So I never have a chance to see how it actually performs. Maybe even adding a fleet builder to the base builder so you can test a new fleet design against your test base, before spending months building it?
  • Evoboy
    Evoboy
    Minor Nuisance
    Joined Apr 2012 Posts: 196
    To help our developers plan for this, can you provide details on one of these cases?

    Yes the reason to justifie moving the base left/right up/down would be to make it so that the attacking player has longer to move to get to the entrance there for making it harder for them to take all the cookies by making it time out on a base
This discussion has been closed.