Can we have an option to display real time?

Discussion in 'Planetary Annihilation General Discussion' started by sotonohito, October 5, 2013.

  1. sotonohito

    sotonohito New Member

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    I like to play in full screen mode, but I also like to know what time it is without having to check my phone. One of my fave features from Civ IV was the option to display the current time on screen. Could we have something like that in PA too please?
  2. SXX

    SXX Post Master General

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    Interesting idea for mod :)
  3. brianpurkiss

    brianpurkiss Post Master General

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    I thought there already was a mod for this.

    If not. Pulling up the Chrono Cam will tell you the time.

    A good 'ol stopwatch also works.
  4. mkultr4

    mkultr4 Member

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    Interesting idea for the core game. As are many of the ideas in the GUI suggestion thread.
  5. SXX

    SXX Post Master General

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    I think he mean current time in real life, not in game. :D
  6. brianpurkiss

    brianpurkiss Post Master General

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    Ah. Isn't that what watches are for? *shrugs*
    cwarner7264 likes this.
  7. Ringworm

    Ringworm Active Member

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    Bet you use one of those old-fashioned upside-down nurses watches?
  8. sotonohito

    sotonohito New Member

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    Yes, I did mean the current real world time.

    I realize it isn't for everyone, but the option to display current real world time in games is really nice for those of us who like it.

    As for watches, I haven't worn one for about 12 years now. That's what my phone is for.
    syox likes this.
  9. SXX

    SXX Post Master General

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    I made little mod for you, but atm I'm quite busy to create thread for it as mod.

    You can extract attached ZIP with replace for current PA version, but it's can be easily turn into proper modification because it's not change anything and just add few lines of code.
    Open "/media/ui/alpha/live_game.js" file, and put this code:
    Code:
        updateClock(true);
        function updateClock(firstrun) {
        if (firstrun) {
            $("#version_info").append(" <span id=\"span_time\" class=\"span_version\"></span>");
        }
    
        var now = new Date(),
            time = now.getHours() + ':' + ((now.getMinutes()<10?'0':'') + now.getMinutes());
        $("#span_time").text(time);
        setTimeout(updateClock, 5000);
        }
    After this one:
    Code:
    var model;
    var handlers = {};
    
    $(document).ready(function () {
    Time will be displayed right after version number, updated each 5 seconds.

    PS: Also if somebody here can finalize it and do proper thread in mod subforum feel free to do that because I'm don't have time for that atm.

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: October 5, 2013
    syox, brianpurkiss and cwarner7264 like this.
  10. camycamera

    camycamera Member

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    play it on steam and press shift+tab?
  11. cola_colin

    cola_colin Moderator Alumni

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    Put a clock next to your screen? I have one right here. No joke.

    ... or use the mod SXX build for you.
  12. fergie

    fergie Member

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    My wife keeps track of time for me just fine.... I don't need something else reminding me I have **** to do other than play PA lol
    Clopse likes this.
  13. asgo

    asgo Member

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    I'm usually playing in window mode whenever I can, so in general this isn't an issue for me.
    But displaying a clock should fall in the category of no problem, easy and fast to implement and no collision with other game parts, that putting it into the core game shouldn't be a problem.

    In the long run, it's probably more effort to maintain it as a mini mod than in the core game. ;)
  14. cola_colin

    cola_colin Moderator Alumni

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    Implementing an ingame clock still will take a bit of time from a developer who could instead fix game breaking bugs or implement vital features.
  15. asgo

    asgo Member

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    I doubt you can fix many game breaking bugs or implement important features in the time it costs to add a minor ui element.
    still think the ratio of time invested vs. result gained is good, and you have to see motivational factor. An easy victory might renew energies for a frustrating bug hunt. ;)
  16. SXX

    SXX Post Master General

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    When you want to put tons of small features into UI main problem here is not implementation, but proper design which should keep all those elements accessible.
  17. cola_colin

    cola_colin Moderator Alumni

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    The problem is they have a TON of such small things. Once you start with them you are trapped for a while. Not to mention that some of the bigger problems might result in the need for changes that break old stuff. So if you add lots of small features first and later realize you need to change something very basic it's costs you more time than you think at first.
  18. asgo

    asgo Member

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    true, but developing such a design for arrangement and sensible organization of UI elements will probably be on the agenda anyhow, not necessarily now more in the final polish phase, when you actually now which elements need to be considered.

    my point wasn't to add such elements now, but to argue that in general reaching some minimal size the suggestion to "make it a mod" is actually more overhead for the user as well as the provider than integrating that feature (at some point) into the core game, in particular if they aren't problematic or controversial.

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