Scenario Background Images (From MG)

[Omega]

I noticed when I tested the latest MG, that one scenario (one of the beginner ones) had an image in its folder. Curious what it was, I realized that it was an "override" for the background image displayed on the loading screen. In this case, it was simply used to show where the enemy camp was, so to make the game easier for the new player. I think GAE should impliment this feature, since it could be very useful for both purpose and for looks. For example, a tutorial might use it in a way similar to that MG scenario, or, more specifically, a campaign scenario such as Military's End of Morning series.

While it's not priority, the code to display background images for the loading screen already exists, and MG has done this already, should a reference be required. The usage is mostly visual, but does have some practical uses as mentioned above.

[silnarm]

Yes, the faction specific background images for the loading screen has previously been requested, which is essentially the same thing, 'custom loading screen backgrounds' (hmmm, that's probably an appropriate title for a ticket...).

I'm holding off on that until we bring the JPG loader over.

[ChupaReaper]

This would be pretty awesome, I've already got some backgrounds which I can use for multiple loading screens.
Tips would be cool too, an xml or language file with a few strings which are randomly chosen and printed at the bottom of the loading screen would be a nice such, there could be faction specific ones too which are chosen amongst the general ones, maybe scenario tips too.
Example "Tip: Darklings are less vulnerable to ranged attacks so are perfect for taking out standard ranged units. They're more vulnerable to other melee units though, so use them wisely."

[John.d.h]

there could be faction specific ones too which are chosen amongst the general ones, maybe scenario tips too.
Example "Tip: Darklings are less vulnerable to ranged attacks so are perfect for taking out standard ranged units. They're more vulnerable to other melee units though, so use them wisely."

That would be pretty cool.  I'd use that.

[silnarm]

.. there could be faction specific ones too which are chosen amongst the general ones, maybe scenario tips too.
Example "Tip: Darklings are less vulnerable to ranged attacks so are perfect for taking out standard ranged units. They're more vulnerable to other melee units though, so use them wisely."

Yes.

[Omega]

Yes, I fully support tips on loading screens! Many games have them, and while they eventually get to the point of "read em all", they are handy for newer players and help make the loading part more interesting.

Most likely, this would be defined in a faction XML (such as tips.xml?) and would specify the time to display a message and the list of messages (may have to have multi language support, though that's more complex and seeing that faction units don't even have translated names, that seems like a waste). It'd be best if we are also able to define the start location of the messages (aka: the distance from the top and left that the top left corner of the "text-box" would be) that way we can customize the loading screen so that the text is easily readable, though for the most part, the most important key function is just the ability to display messages randomly from a file.

[ChupaReaper]

The ability to change the position of where the tips are should come into a big feature for changing the loading bar, the list of things loaded, the main menu layout, in game menu layout and all that.