Mastermind's In-Game Builder Idea (with LOADS of pictures!)

[Sameem]

Guys keep posting on this thread so the mods and steve will see it!!!!!!

[sdas]

Brilliant post - I completely agree!

[Mastermind]

I am judging from a UX perspective: 4+ layers of click depth is huge
~ Builder mode > layout selection > structure type > structure > structure level. And then there is a horizontal scroll since it doesnt fit on one screen.

Imagine a 12 years old (or even 10) doing it — there are no breadcrumbs of any sort, so once he goes deep he isnt sure where he actually is, lots of icons without any sort of explanation about their meaning (sure its one click experience but its shocking at first), tons of clicks to do something that is currently done with "dragging things around", while it isn't exactly super fast its very easy to understand.

And btw its considered that complex menus are better for bigger screens and touch devices should rather utilize multi touches gestures, dragging etc.

Fastest way to do it the way i see it is:

1. Builder mode
When pressed all debris are temporarily disabled and all buildings are moved to the sides and grouped up by type.
Walls are grouped up by colour, the difference however is that when you click on wall of certain colour and then on empty tile it will start putting walls as u click. Likewise clicking on existing wall of that colour will remove it. Clicking on other building will cancel the process.

If building is saved on a debri a debri is moved elsewhere later on.

2. Then you either "save" or "cancel". You can save unfinished layouts with buildings remaining on the sides. Alternatively you can "Save as layout" if they decide to go that way. The problem with layout however is that if you upgrade few walls after saving it you got a problem right there — the game wont know where to put new walls and it might end messing all your walls entirely. (imagine you wanted to strengthen your t-junctions and the game will just put them in random places)

3. You can still drag things in normal mode to do minor changes.

Smth along these lines. But thats just my 5 cents.

Thanks for the re-reply Lieto. Like stated many times throughout the thread, this idea largely hinges on the server to handle such things. If it can't, then another solution would be needed.

I think you're underestimating some of the younger kids playing. This idea really isn't that difficult to follow with the 2 seperate screens (Builder or Layout screen, then one of either, not super deep), and there are clear exits on every page. One idea to make it even more clear would be to add a tutorial or more Info buttons.

Thanks for the idea for your Base Builder, I think it is a simple and good alternative without all the options. My idea would have a completely clear canvas and yours would move things to the side (like it is already, just saving some time). But I like your wall idea for #1.

I think the debris idea you listed could cause some problems, although I'm not against obstacles being moved.

I'm not quite sure what you mean with the walls problem. Once a wall is set, that individual wall would stay in that spot, regardless if it was upgraded or not. I've talked with some other users and listed some solutions to upgrading items on your current base while not in the base builder, and posted suggestions at the bottom of the OP.

I know there are a lot of pics on the OP, but the idea is pretty simple, simple enough for little kids even (especially with an info button or better yet, a tutorial).

Thanks.

[Mastermind]

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!! This idea/suggestion is AWESOME, why didnt they hire you! I like your idea with the new base design( and i like the player profile Update even more better!)

Thanks Sameem for the complimentary posts! And happy that you like the Player Profile update idea too Finishing up another one whenever I have free time, should be a few days until it's up.

[Alweert]

Well deserved Name...MASTERMIND. Ill be expecting to see your Name in Red soon! Mastermind{SUPERCELL}

You work magic with your ideas and your Photoshopping.

You will make peoples lives easier.

SUPERCELL. Please read this thread.

Thanks Mastermind...The true Mastermind!

[retrop77]

This would really help, I hate tapping my screen for hours designing a new base.

[Lieto]

So you honestly think that 5x levels of menus is better then clashbuilder model? heh.
Only downside i can see is that clear canvas looks nicer but i doubt anyone would start building from the sides.
Also i can bet 1 cent that dragging things (clashbuilder model) with tap to place walls is faster then clicking through menus for every building. Why? Because you are not dropping 6x archers towers at once, when i create compartments i have 1 building of each type there, that would literally make me return to each menu at least few times. And for those who do drop 6x archers at once i still it will still be slower just because drag in drop is so much easier on a tap device. Anyways.. to each his own.

I think the debris idea you listed could cause some problems, although I'm not against obstacles being moved.

Obstacle is just a removable decoration so putting it to a random place near the spot where it previously was shouldnt cause any problems.

I'm not quite sure what you mean with the walls problem. Once a wall is set, that individual wall would stay in that spot, regardless if it was upgraded or not. I've talked with some other users and listed some solutions to upgrading items on your current base while not in the base builder, and posted suggestions at the bottom of the OP.

I mean that you will need to resave layout after every upgrade. Because if its not automatically resaved (which it shouldnt cause sometimes you drag things around and you dont want it to be saved) it will mean that saved layout with 5x black walls and 5x purple walls wont match new amount of black walls that you have and thus game will be like "i need 5 purple walls and i only have 3".

The whole point of layout is that you can return to it after trying something different.
Imagine you had tesla theme park saved in your layouts but used triangulation for a while. Now you want to go back to tesla but 100 of your walls changed and buildings are all different levels. How do you want game to decide where to put those? You will end up with a messed up base at the very least.

[Pranav]

LOL THANK YOU SO MUCH SUPERCELL PLEASE ADD THIS!!!!!!! I posted a thread like this, a way to make resdesigning villages easier, almost the same concept just mine didn't get any replies lol. but this thread explained it so well, thx so much! supercell, u gotta see this and add it. and give this guy some award hes already had 2 TREMENDOUSLY AMAZING ideas.

[AnTiheLT]

Looks like Supercell liked your ide very much, based on the new sneak peek

[Sillyman34]

dude you idea was added to the game😃😂