Hard Light Productions Forums

General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Apollo on January 25, 2013, 08:57:33 pm

Title: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 25, 2013, 08:57:33 pm
I personally like FS1's briefing icons more than FS2's, because I think they look cleaner. On the other hand, FS2's are much more varied and detailed. Which do you prefer? (have a feeling the FS2 set is gonna win)

I ask this question because I'm considering using the FS1 icons in Eos--they would fit in perfectly with the FS1 music and interface sounds I'm using.

EDIT: Oh and there's a poll.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Woolie Wool on January 25, 2013, 09:45:01 pm
I like the more clinical, abstract approach FS1's icons provide.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Black Wolf on January 25, 2013, 10:02:48 pm
FS2s are better looking, and provide for more diversity.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: SypheDMar on January 25, 2013, 10:43:15 pm
FS2 because FS1 is icons are ugly. Also, thread is biased. Just saying, not criticizing.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 25, 2013, 11:00:05 pm
FS2 because FS1 is icons are ugly. Also, thread is biased. Just saying, not criticizing.

How is it biased? I stated my opinion, but I hid the results from people until they vote. I obviously have some personal bias, but I'm willing to toss it aside and use FS2 icons if the majority prefers them.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Klaustrophobia on January 25, 2013, 11:54:20 pm
both have their merits.  i'm not sure which to vote for.  i like the more abstract FS1 way of doing it, especially on fighter wings, but the icon quality is a bit bland.  something kindof irks me about the FS2 icons representing a specific ship class and the icons are a picture of a different class.  so i guess i'd say my ideal briefing would be FS1-esq triangles for fighters, and more icon-y and less picture-y capital ships, unique to each one.  for retail anyway, since there aren't terribly many different classes.  if there were quite a few cap ships of each role designation, i'd say one representative in each per species.  maybe add a two-letter class designation above it or something.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Drogoth on January 26, 2013, 01:10:18 am
both have their merits.  i'm not sure which to vote for.  i like the more abstract FS1 way of doing it, especially on fighter wings, but the icon quality is a bit bland.  something kindof irks me about the FS2 icons representing a specific ship class and the icons are a picture of a different class.  so i guess i'd say my ideal briefing would be FS1-esq triangles for fighters, and more icon-y and less picture-y capital ships, unique to each one.  for retail anyway, since there aren't terribly many different classes.  if there were quite a few cap ships of each role designation, i'd say one representative in each per species.  maybe add a two-letter class designation above it or something.

THIS. At least in FS1 the Destroyer and Cruiser icons mimicked terran design in a simple sense, which made sense from a military organization standpoint. It aggravates me to no end when a shivan ship has the wrong icon.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Droid803 on January 26, 2013, 01:30:10 am
If there were enough icons for one of each ship class, FS2 hands down.
As it stands though, I still like FS2 icons better since FS1 icons are kind of boring.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Goober5000 on January 26, 2013, 02:28:20 am
Apollo, you are asking this question as if this were a decision you're making in isolation, but it's not.

I ask this question because I'm considering using the FS1 icons in Eos--they would fit in perfectly with the FS1 music and interface sounds I'm using.

If your mod has a bunch of FS1-themed assets, it would seem obvious that the briefing icons should be FS1-style as well.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: MatthTheGeek on January 26, 2013, 03:24:11 am
I notice a distinct lack of snuffy in this poll.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: FreeSpaceFreak on January 26, 2013, 03:54:13 am
FS1: 8 (50%)
FS2: 8 (50%)

Interesting, that :)
I voted FS1, since the visual quality of the FS2 icons is often disappointing. FS1 is a real schematic representation; FS2 is like a wannabe holoscreen, but it's kinda lacking in that respect.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 26, 2013, 10:35:53 am
FS1: 8 (50%)
FS2: 8 (50%)

Interesting, that :)
I voted FS1, since the visual quality of the FS2 icons is often disappointing. FS1 is a real schematic representation; FS2 is like a wannabe holoscreen, but it's kinda lacking in that respect.

You actually have to subtract 1 from FS1 to get the real results - I voted so I could see them without revealing them to people who hadn't voted.

Apollo, you are asking this question as if this were a decision you're making in isolation, but it's not.

If your mod has a bunch of FS1-themed assets, it would seem obvious that the briefing icons should be FS1-style as well.

Perhaps you're right.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: FreeSpaceFreak on January 26, 2013, 11:50:25 am
You actually have to subtract 1 from FS1 to get the real results - I voted so I could see them without revealing them to people who hadn't voted.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have Snuffleupagus :P
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: mjn.mixael on January 26, 2013, 12:00:10 pm
Once the code freeze is over, I hope to get a request fulfilled to allow us to specify icons per ship in the ships table. If that happens, it will solidify my preference for FS2 icons.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 26, 2013, 03:51:20 pm
You actually have to subtract 1 from FS1 to get the real results - I voted so I could see them without revealing them to people who hadn't voted.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have Snuffleupagus :P

Oh, that's why. I always wondered what that was for.

EDIT: Oh well it's too late now.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 26, 2013, 04:43:36 pm
OK, the poll results tell me that FS2 icons are preferred over FS1 icons.

There's still a significant minority that prefers the FS1 set, so unless something changes I'll just make them an optional add-on.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: mjn.mixael on January 26, 2013, 04:48:51 pm
Regardless if any poll, it's unlikely anyone will judge your mod even marginally by what icon style you use. In fact I don't think I've ever seen anyone review briefing icon choices ever. Not to stop you or anything, but it's probably not worth the work to make an optional add-on just for icon styles.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 26, 2013, 05:07:26 pm
Regardless if any poll, it's unlikely anyone will judge your mod even marginally by what icon style you use. In fact I don't think I've ever seen anyone review briefing icon choices ever. Not to stop you or anything, but it's probably not worth the work to make an optional add-on just for icon styles.

Should I just go with FS1 icons then? That would be my personal preference.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Klaustrophobia on January 26, 2013, 07:19:01 pm
if that's what you want, then yes.  anyone who complains about it in a review will probably get flamed to oblivion.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Droid803 on January 26, 2013, 08:17:05 pm
Regardless if any poll, it's unlikely anyone will judge your mod even marginally by what icon style you use. In fact I don't think I've ever seen anyone review briefing icon choices ever. Not to stop you or anything, but it's probably not worth the work to make an optional add-on just for icon styles.

Should I just go with FS1 icons then? That would be my personal preference.

The results speak for themselves - no clear preference. Just do what you feel like, it is your mod after all.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 26, 2013, 10:51:50 pm
Regardless if any poll, it's unlikely anyone will judge your mod even marginally by what icon style you use. In fact I don't think I've ever seen anyone review briefing icon choices ever. Not to stop you or anything, but it's probably not worth the work to make an optional add-on just for icon styles.

Should I just go with FS1 icons then? That would be my personal preference.

The results speak for themselves - no clear preference. Just do what you feel like, it is your mod after all.

I guess that's what I'll do then.

Perhaps I went a little overboard creating a poll for this.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Goober5000 on January 26, 2013, 11:38:43 pm
Nah, it's fine.  You learned a little bit of what the community thinks about briefing icons.  If nothing else, you now have experience to make similar mod decisions in the future. :)
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Kopachris on January 27, 2013, 03:33:16 am
And even better, now that you know the community's opinions about the briefing icons (what they like/dislike about each), you could even make your own.
Title: Re: Briefing Icons
Post by: Apollo on January 28, 2013, 02:53:01 pm
Alright, I'm closing this once it hits 50 votes (not counting my own).