Multiple monitors

How about a somewhat reconfigurable map that can be placed on multiple monitors. For example, right now when you choose a galaxy size you basically get a 5x5 or 6x6, etc. grid. How about you get an additional configuration option to choose the shape of the "grid" For example, instead of having a 6x6 square (i.e. 36 tiles) you get a choice of what shape the 36 tiles should be arranged in - like maybe an "L" shape, or a Rectangle shape, or allow you to design your own galaxy shape - maybe you could design a more "spiral" looking galaxy. The point is you get to place the tiles in whatever shape you want as part of the initial choices when you start to play the game.

The shape could extend across more than one monitor of course, but if you are stuck with a single monitor, or you have a monitor setup in portrait mode for your second monitor, the ability to design your own galaxy shape would allow you to fit it better to your monitor display as well.

Just a thought.

I don't care how they do it, but yes I'm all for multi monitor support as my new pc will have two...

I can't see this happening.  That's double the amount of UI data that would need refreshing.  But simply screen-printing your starmap or research tree into a word.doc could help plan things.  Would the game have to be run in windowed-mode?

i made a post about this a while back

https://forums.galciv3.com/449637/page/1/#3413106

i dont think this would be all that difficult to implement many games in the last decade and even before that have had custimizable UI's one that i thought worked well as mentioned in the link was EVE's UI you could launch the game in windowed mode stretch it to cover both monitors and then set the camera as offset (x,y) so you could center it on your main monitor nearly all of the game interfaces could be moved around wherever you wanted so you could put all those important information up on your second monitor having it easily accessible without occupying valuable space

the only improvement i can think off to add to that would be the ability to have the game recognize a second monitor and use it if i desire as fullscreen

The problem with multiple monitor support in most strategy games is it may give an unfair advantage to someone in multiplayer games. Remember that not everyone has multiple monitors. I know that Brad has stated that Gal Civ 3 will be primarily a single player strategy game but that is something to take into account if he wants to keep multiplayer balanced.

It's a turn-based game, it's not like people are going to run out of time to do something.

agreed in fact having multiple monitor support would theoretically allow me to take my turn faster since i would have all the info available without having to open and close as many screens which would mean that your turn will come up faster making the game more enjoyable for you while i sit here screaming at those who don't have multiple monitors

I'm all for it if it won't take more time away from single player development. I don't have multiple screens but sounds like a good idea. Either extend the playing map or have some colony info/research/taxes showing up.

I'd like if GCIII took over all available monitors and allowed each panel to be docked/undocked, so you could arrange windows however you liked.

Multiple monitor support would be great!  Hopefully, we'll be able to open several windows across several monitors.  I can see having one screen locked to the main map and maybe 3 others with espionage, the planet control list and a final one bouncing between the ship list and any other that I might need.  

It would be nice to work undocked like Jim above me says if it's a fewer than 4 monitor setup.

^ Yes, GCIII needs this. It would cut down on so many clicks. You'd be able to look at data while negotiating, instead of trying to remember everything important. You could see where a tech is on the tree before trading it.

Obviously we have to remember that this is just a game and other people use multimonitor setups to e.g. Play a game while doing something else.

Next thing we'll be asking Stardock to make GalCiv themed computers... Hmm....

Sacrilege!    

Galciv themed computers!  I second that motion!  My PC has a rail gun, booyahhh scumbag!

Seriously though, just because the game supports multiple monitors doesn't mean that game MUST ALWAYS use all the monitors.  By definition this kind of setup would have to be optional because of people with only one monitor, or people with 5, or like the laptop I am on right now that has one built in but could be connected to more if I choose.

Thought that while I was writing it

Optional is good, but that's why I said as long as it doesn't take development time from the really good bits!