Chain Information Lacking - Need Visual

BUG - PROBLEM:

With changes to chaining, it's difficult to pick up the visual cues that a chain is in Cool Down versus it's about to Time Out and the chain to drop. I debated on whether or not this was a Bug or a Suggestion, but due to the dramatic shift in game play, this really seems like a communication bug. The information being more prominent for all players would be a tremendous help.

When members log on and assume they are helping their team by knocking off hits, only to find out they are hampering the team's efforts and wasting their energy it can cause unnecessary frustration.

SOLUTIONS:

1) Chain in Cool Down -- Color the chain Red signaling "stop" (just a sample, I know this chain isn't actually in CD)

How this could look:

[image: i.gyazo.com]

2) Chain Alert for when it's 1 minute to a time out, but has not dropped and not in Cool Down phase-- Color the chain Yellow signaling "warning"

How this could look:

[image: i.gyazo.com]

This idea came up when I was talking with Lord_Gorgen, as he was remarking on the problem.

Thank you for your time!

Kath

Could they look to make it flash? like a traffic light system?

Great idea!!

As a mobile user I'd be happy enough to see the timer without having to tap the bar. Color indications works too though.

Falls closer to suggestion than a bug or issue that hinders performance, will have to go to Chedburn for approval.

Ste and flashing in one sentence ;)

We've made 20-ish chains in the new system and this has not once been an issue for us.

Perhaps ask your members to pay attention before they start making their hits? I'm sure they will get used to it very soon.

As an older player, I would say "dulling" the image more may not help and I know there are a lot of players in my age bracket. Replacing the clock would be helpful and would address the problem with as you commented COMP or whatever else you chose! I like that :)

The graphic is really easy to miss -- it sort of doesn't stand out and that's my opinion, but I've already talked with now a couple leaders of other factions and that's been an issue. I think making it clearer, however that is accomplished, will help this transition, as well as new players entering the game

Colors -- If upon reflection, you did like the color idea, of course other colors can be chosen instead of Red and Yellow. Certainly Orange would be a good replacement for Yellow. Red does have strong connection world wide with "stop", but then this is making more changes, but Nerve could be another color like Purple? HOWEVER, not married to the idea of color coding. I think your idea is a good solution :)

Thank you for taking the time to consider this.

Ched -- this is way off topic really, but will take this opportunity .... FYI and an aside with reference to "dulling" images - Ched there's a whole new market for you of retiring 50+ folks who like myself are finding games for the 1st time. First time I ever played an online game was in 2009 unless you count Solitaire online (I was 50 at the time). Us Baby Boomers are a huge demographic and I think text games will intrigue them. I started games as a way to stay engaged with people of all ages and as a brain exercise, as just seemed like a good way to proceed based on readings about aging.

Actually not my members :) I was talking to some leaders and hearing their frustrations with people not seeing. This is reportedly particularly a problem for mobile users, and given the # of likes on a bug, apparently others find the same problem. I'm all for improving the experience for the player and I like brain storming solutions.

I'm sure there are others who have this same problem. Instead of telling people to just "get used to it." Maybe just maybe do some constructive criticism and think of other ways or stay out of an issue since it isn't an issue for you?

With the chain report, can you add ALL members of a faction?

It's lame to not out the people who do nothing !

Thank you Ched!

as a fellow baby-boomer who is colour blind and also has officially termed low vision - just take some care please. remember w3c compliance and for that matter anyone who really relies on in-built assistive techniques