Fussy buttons

[djimm100]

I don't know whether the buttons are fussy (like, there are too many "Are you sure you want to do this?" buttons), or are poorly colored (use green buttons for "Yes, I'm sure" and red for "Oops, that would be stupid!"), or I'm just too impatient, but even when I try to take my time and be careful, I still find myself pressing the wrong ones! For instance, I picked Technology Research for my strategy, planning to research 2 techs. I selected my second tech and paid for it, but when I got back to the main window I had somehow cancelled the choice.

[GTSchemer]

I don't know whether the buttons are fussy (like, there are too many "Are you sure you want to do this?" buttons), or are poorly colored (use green buttons for "Yes, I'm sure" and red for "Oops, that would be stupid!"), or I'm just too impatient, but even when I try to take my time and be careful, I still find myself pressing the wrong ones! For instance, I picked Technology Research for my strategy, planning to research 2 techs. I selected my second tech and paid for it, but when I got back to the main window I had somehow cancelled the choice.

Button coloring was required to meet BGA standards for beta release, so changing the colors is probably not an option.

If there is a specific interface (like the Technology strategy card) that you find confusing, I could take a look to see if there is a specific interaction that is confusing. Yes there are a lot of buttons, but in a game that can take 6 hours real time, or 1 month turn-based, players get very frustrated if there are misplays or misclicks. This is why there are generally opportunities to review decisions before they are finalized and undo becomes impossible.

For your example, are you on desktop or mobile? I just made some desktop screenshots to see if I can find where things were confusing.

First, I chose Plasma Scoring to research, clicked to research again, and chose how to pay for it: https://snipboard.io/n7xL0Z.jpg
After clicking Done, the title now indicates I am choosing another technology: https://snipboard.io/R8IlST.jpg
Finally, I choose a second tech: https://snipboard.io/gzfG3U.jpg

After clicking "Done" here, the card is officially played and I cannot undo it. Other players wake up.

[djimm100]

So, you mean BGA requires certain buttons to be specific colors?
I understand how the interface is supposed to work and I try to take things slow. Let me explain more clearly what happened.

I picked Technology. I had planned to implement 2 techs and it was critical that I get both of them. I tried to take things slow because I've clicked on the wrong buttons before.

I selected my 1st tech no problem. I paid for my 2nd tech and selected it. I thought I had properly confirmed my selection, but, by the time I was back in the main game window, it turned out that I must have clicked on the wrong button somewhere. AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE DONE THAT!

Visual clues are very helpful and important for users in general. Color especially. But, if you are limited in your color selections (maybe BGA would make an exception or modify their rules?), you could do something like put a check mark on the Yes button and an X on the No button:

"Yes, I'm sure *check* "
"No, I changed my mind X"

That sort of thing.

[djimm100]

Even making the "Yes, I'm sure" and the "No, I changed my mind" button red, if that's the best you can do, would be a big help.

[GTSchemer]

So, you mean BGA requires certain buttons to be specific colors?

Correct, I was required to change this before beta would be approved. I am not sure if exceptions would be allowed.

Undo and Reset are required to be red, for example. This is similar to your suggestion of "No, I changed my mind".

I selected my 1st tech no problem. I paid for my 2nd tech and selected it. I thought I had properly confirmed my selection, but, by the time I was back in the main game window, it turned out that I must have clicked on the wrong button somewhere. AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE DONE THAT!

Sorry about the frustrating experience...I am trying to think what might have cancelled the second technology. I would need to see a screenshot after the wrong button click so I can brainstorm about it.

For example, if you are choosing a second technology from this tooltip: https://snipboard.io/AaRGfF.jpg

If you accidentally click outside the "Select Technology" button, the tooltip would close, but you could just click the tech twice to open that tooltip again and select. It would not reset the whole Technology strategy card.


Long story short, I want to reduce frustration, but it can be a challenge to understand exactly what sequence of player mouse clicks caused something to happen. This is where beta testers are helpful.

[djimm100]

Making the "Yes, I'm sure" button blue ...

[GTSchemer]

Making the "Yes, I'm sure" button blue ...

They should already be blue. If one is not, please post a screenshot so I can check it out.

[djimm100]

Hmm, next time I'm in that situation, I'll try to take a screenshot before and after every decision.

PS, I play on both PC and tablet. These mistakes were made on the PC. I usually wait until I get home to make big decisions on the desktop since I get a better idea of the full situation.

[GTSchemer]

Hmm, next time I'm in that situation, I'll try to take a screenshot before and after every decision.

PS, I play on both PC and tablet. These mistakes were made on the PC. I usually wait until I get home to make big decisions on the desktop since I get a better idea of the full situation.

If you have time to do it, those screenshots would be SUPER helpful on desktop in case something is causing a reset that I don't know about.