5. Game Windows

This game manual is for Universe version 0.8.

Different windows exist to allow access to the information in the game. Each display has a special purpose and is explained below.

5.1. Results Window

This window displays the results from the last turn.

Here is an example of a results window:

The first line always says the turn number that just has been processed. Turn 0 is the start of the game. Various other messages about the turns processing can occur here. These messages might include:

A ship has finished completion construction
Ship has arrived at a destination
Detection of an enemy ship

It would be a wise idea to check this screen at the beginning of every turn.

Double clicking on a line will bring up a window about that result. For example, double clicking on the "Your home system is Ryget." line brings up a window about the Ryget star system.

5.2. Star Map

This window displays the star map of the galaxy.

An example of a star map is below:

The star map is a representation of a three dimensional galaxy. Because of the difficulties of describing a three dimensional galaxy on a two dimension screen, the star map has many options for manipulating the view.

The view that is displayed represents a sphere in space that is projected on the two dimensional display. There are three axes that are used to describe the three dimensional space, x, y, and z. These numbers are represented in parsecs.

To rotate the map click and drag on the picture. The options on the right will allow you to view different informaion in the picture. Passing the mouse over a planet will give you details in the information window (lower right corner).

The x axis is left to right. The y axis is from down to up. The z axis is from out to in.

To help visualize "where" the stars are located, the "closer" ones (in the z axis of the screen) to the front of the display are larger than the "further" ones.

The Label pull down choice changes the words that are printed next to each star. Their are four choices available:

None (Just display star point)
Name
Coordinates
Distance (in parsecs from "center" star)

The Sphere pull down choice controls the sphere display to help visualize distances. This sphere is drawn in green. The sphere is drawn by three circles on each of the three axis planes (x, y, and z.)

Looking at the map, one can see a blue circle around the center star system (Ryjet). This circle represents a station located in that system.

There is also a fleet located in the Verdisob system. This fleet is blue and is represented by the small fleet to the lower right of the system.

Both stations and fleets have colors associated with them. The blue represents that these objects are owned by you. Unknown fleets and stations show up in red.

5.3. Galaxy List

This window displays information about the Galaxies in the game. Currently only one galaxy is supported but future versions will have the option for multiple galaxies.

Below is a sample galaxy screen.

Find out more about the operation of the info tree in the Info Trees section.

5.4. System List

This window displays information about the Star Systems in the Galaxy.

An example of a system list is below:

Each system is represented by a system icon, followed by a name. Clicking on an icon will expand (if possible) the system into the "parts" of the system. These parts will include planets, stations and fleets located in that system. Of course, if you haven't explored that system yet, there will be no information displayed when the icon is clicked. Find out more about the operation of the info tree in the Info Trees section.

Right clicking on a system icon brings up a more detailed view of that system. This detailed view looks something like the following:

Choosing one of the four buttons on the top will display different information about the system selected. The following sub sections describe each button in detail.

5.4.1. Close

This button closes the window.

5.4.2. Info List

The info list some textual information about the star system. An example of a info list for a star system is above.

5.4.3. Info Tree

The info tree allows you to examine parts of the star system. These parts might include planets, fleets and stations that are located within the star system. An example of an info tree is below. Find out more about the operation of the info tree in the Info Trees section.

5.4.4. Picture

The picture screen allows you to see a graphic of the particular star system. An example is below.

5.5. Planet List

This window displays information about known planets in the game. Each planet is represented by a planet icon, followed by a name. Clicking on an icon will expand (if possible) the planet into the "parts" of the planet. These parts will include stations and fleets located around that planet. Of course, if you haven't explored that planet yet, there will be no information displayed when the icon is clicked. An example of a planet list is below.

Right clicking on a planet icon brings up a more detailed view of that planet. This detailed view looks something like the following:

Choosing one of the four buttons on the top will display different information about the planet selected. The following sub sections describe each button in detail.

5.5.1. Close

This button closes the window.

5.5.2. Info List

The info list some textual information about the planet. The current version displays the name, mining information and habitation.

5.5.3. Info Tree

The info tree allows you to examine parts of the planet. These parts might include fleets and stations that are located on the planet surface or orbiting the planet. An example of an info tree is above. Find out more about the operation of the info tree in the Info Trees section.

5.5.4. Picture

The picture screen allows you to see a graphic of the particular planet. An example is below.

5.6. Station List

This window displays information about known stations. Clicking on an icon will expand (if possible) the station into the "parts" of the station. These parts will include fleets docked in that station. An example of a station list is below.

Double clicking on a station icon brings up a more detailed view of that station. This detailed view looks something like the following:

Choosing one of the ten tabs or the button at the top will display different information about the station selected. The following sub sections describe each button in detail.

5.6.1. Close

This button closes the window.

5.6.2. Info List

The info list some textual information about the station. An example of a info list for a station is above.

5.6.3. Info Tree

The info tree allows you to examine parts of the station. These parts might include fleets docked at the station. Find out more about the operation of the info tree in the Info Trees section.

5.6.4. Power

Here you can see how much power is produced and adjust where it is used at.

5.6.5. Economics

This tab allows you to allocate the economics of your planet. By increasing the value of an item it will get done faster, at the expense of others taking longer. If you have problems keeping the values in one place click on the lock box when that value is correct, then adjust the others.

5.6.6. Resources

If you want to get a break down of your total resources it is all available on this tab. Here you will see how much resources are produced, consumed and stored as well.

5.6.7. Station Manufacturing

This tab is where you go to develope items for your station, such as Ship Docks, Factories, or Scanners.

5.6.8. Ship Manufacturing

When you are ready to build ships (you have a Ship Dock) you need to access this tab.

5.6.9. Research

You can start research (once you have built a Research item from the Station Manufacturing) to improve your tech here. The items you can research depends on the Scheme and Theme you chose at the beginning of the game.

5.6.10. Engineering

Currently there is nothing you can do on this tab, however, in the future it should function just like the Research tab. The only difference here is that the Research tab is developing the tech, the Engineering tab is putting it to use.

5.6.11. Image

This tab will provide an image of your base. Currently nothing is displayed.

5.7. Fleet List

This window displays information about known fleets in the game. Each fleet is represented by a fleet icon, followed by a name. An example of a fleet list is below.

Double clicking on a fleet icon brings up a more detailed view of that fleet. This detailed view looks something like the following:

Choosing one of the six tabs or the button on the top will display different information about the fleet selected. The following sub sections describe each button in detail.

5.7.1. Close

This button closes the window.

5.7.2. Info List

The info list some textual information about the fleet. An example of a info list for a fleet is above.

5.7.3. Info Tree

The info tree allows you to examine parts of the fleet. These parts might include the ships in the fleet. Find out more about the operation of the info tree in the Info Trees section.

5.7.4. Ships

This button displays the names of individual ships in the fleet.

5.7.5. Orders

This screen allows you to enter orders for the fleet. The only current functional order is to move the fleet. An example of an order screen is below:

On the left side are the available orders. On the right side are the pending orders. Highlighting a particular order on the left side, then pressing "add" button, creates a pending order in the queue. These pending orders will be processed when the turn is submitted.

When a fleet is selected to move, the following star map will open up, click on the planet you want your fleet to travel to. A cross will appear on the planet, now click on submit and your orders are on their way!

5.7.7. Organize

This area currently does nothing.

5.7.8. Image

This button currently displays nothing.

5.8. Research List

This window displays information about research. An example of the screen is below:

Each of the sub sections below covers a specific tab within this window.

5.8.1. Close

This button will close the window.

5.8.2. Ship Designs

This is the screen you see above. It shows you the current ship designs, selecting a design lists what tech that design is equiped with.

5.8.3. Engineering

Here you can see the currently available and engineered ship designs.

5.8.4. Research

All of your known technology and researchable technology is shown in this window.

5.9. Alien List

This window displays information about other known alien races.

5.10. Query Window

This window allows the user to make advanced queries of the database. This window is not currently supported.

5.11. Info Trees

Info trees are an important part of the Universe Gaming System to get information about various parts of the game. All info trees contain icons displayed in a tree like fashion. Things that are contained "within" other things are displayed as a branch of the tree. For example, a system contains planets, so the system has a branch with all of the planets.

The info tree has functionality similar to various GUI file managers available in different operation systems (like MS Explorer). Clicking on an icon will expand that icon's tree (if it can be expanded.) Right or Double clicking on an icon brings up a more detailed screen about that particular object.

Each icon is surrounded by a color. The colors have the following meanings:

blue - Owned by you
orange - explored
red - Owned by an unknown race

As more functionality is added to the game, there will be more colors added.

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Created: 27 Jan 1997
Updated: 05 Jan 1999