Display of energy information to the player

[kdak]

The current energy bar alone does not give enough information about how much energy you currently have or can recharge to.

Specifically, there should be a visual marker for the max size of the energy bar, and also an exact numerical energy display in addition to the energy bar, like they have in SS.

It would be nice to have the option to show the numerical energy display next to your ship (with the option to change its transparency level), like they have in SS. This makes it so you don't have to look away from the most important part of the screen (your ship) to get one of the most important pieces of information (your energy).

Alternatively, to keep things nice and smooth looking near the ship, perhaps have the exact numerical energy display out of the way (like in the top right corner, as they have in SS, or just above radar, so that they can get energy and radar information in the same spot), and add a cleaner visual energy aid on or near the ship, so that it doesn't get in the way. Perhaps have a colored glow around your ship to indicate your energy (and have it disappear at full energy), or make the ship become redder as you get to lower energy (this would minimize visual obstruction).

In SS, players make a lot of mistakes because they don't have awareness of their current energy due to focusing on their ship and not looking at the energy displays on the edge of the screen, as is required in many situations. One of the most common mistakes among new players is to overshoot and drain all their energy. Having some sort of energy information near the ship, even if not as precise as an exact energy readout, would probably help newbies get the hang of the weapons-energy game mechanic much faster.

[sharvil]

I like the changes you submitted. I think the permanent indicator in the top right and the energy warning near the ship address most of the points you raised. Closing this out.