User:AceMcCloud/Main view
The main/default view includes the following elements:
- Research progress bar (upper right corner)
- Mini-map (upper right, below research process bar)
- Character armor and weapon status (lower left)
- Character (centered)
- Whatever items are within the game field of view
- Cursor
Switch special note: Unlike other games, where interactions are centered on the character, in Factorio, interactions are defined by the cursor, which is moved by the right joystick. The cursor behaves exactly like a mouse cursor in that its position does not change, even when moving between screens/views - which can be awkward. It is possible, for example, to move items from one location to another by moving only the cursor.
This view may also include:
- Crafting queue for the player (bottom, just to the right of the armor and weapon status)
- Shortcut hints (Switch) - a partial list of commands that are valid in the current circumstance (bottom, just above armor and weapon status)
- Item information box - if the cursor is on an object, a summary box will be displayed below the mini-map
Cursor Range
The distance between the cursor and the character affects the player's ability to perform certain actions. Some actions have a shorter range (chopping down a tree) and some have a longer range (moving an item into or out of the character inventory). When the cursor is on an object within the view, it will be marked with a frame (size and shape varies). See below.
Frame markings
- If the cursor is on an object not within range, it will be marked with a red frame
- If the item is within range, it will be marked with a yellow frame
- If an item is part of or connected to the power grid, objects that are electrically connected to it will be marked with a blue frame
- If an item is part of an assembly chain, objects that are connected to it or that it connects to will be marked with a white frame, and red arrows will show the flow direction.
TODO: play with characterless mode, which can be set in the map editor.