PC tablet with windows 8 - will it run BA?

[Richcat]

Hi All
Any body any experience with running Ba on a PC tablet with full windows 8
Specs
10.1 inch screen - Intel Atom ( dual core) Z2760 1.8GHz- 64GB Flash + 2GB RAM - Integrated Graphics
Basically what I'm asking is does anybody know if it good enough to run BA and potentially BA2, before I splash out on it?

[pipfromslitherine]

Well, by coincidence I was playing with a Dell Venue 8 over the weekend. It ran WoW really very well, though I didn't get a chance to try BA on it. The form factor I had was a little too small to really work well for Windows though. But 10" might be more usable.

But my best guess is that that spec should run BA reasonably well.

Cheers

Pip

[Richcat]

Thanks Pip

[BloodGuard]

Hi Richcat,

I have tried to run BA on a Microsft surface pro 1 & 2 running windows 8 and windows 8.1 - installs ok but its hellish to try and move units via touch or usng the pen however!....i guess a workaround would be to attached a usb mouse but i use the surfsace as a mobile touch tablet only not a desktop pc

Regards

BloodGuard
(Mark)

[Richcat]

Thanks Mark
Its more to do the modding with when on the move rather than carry round my bulky laptop. Thanks for the tip on the mouse I'll check out how to attach a mouse as that's what I'm more used to.

[Richcat]

Hi Mark
Well Ba2 eap runs really well having turned off shadows EDIT yesterday and today works just fine with full quality shadows - go figure I'm pretty sure its not BA as the machine did a big windows update this morning which may mean their are new drivers etc- Your right it is hellish to move units around and navigate the map , but its not due screen size but the ui. Set it to left only ui mode which made a difference when using screen input but still hellish, and I tried a mouse which helped , but would like to get to use just screen inputs like the iPad, as it can a real pain balancing the mouse on a chair arm.

Pip is a there any chance to do some work on this - I realise you might be a busy at the moment

[pipfromslitherine]

What specifically is hard when using left-only mode? The internal logic for selection etc all goes through fairly similar code on all platforms, just some specific iPad logic (e.g. double tap to select rather than single tap or hold).

Cheers

Pip

[Richcat]

Hi Pip I'll try and get some screen grabs to help explain.

[Richcat]

Sorry no screen shots yet
The map too easily moves left or right, basically zipping to way left or right, sometimes you can move up, but very rarely can i get it to move down.
I don't know if it setting on the tablet sensitivity - I'll check it out. Works just fine with BT keyboard attached, but again very very zippy, and basically uncontrollable
Scroll speed set to 0.5

Using the touch screen the strange thing that happens when not using mouse or keyboard is after I double tap for selecting the unit and then move around the high lighted squares and take my finger off the unit moves straight there - no second tap, no changing your mind . Just wondering if there is a setting on tablet I need to change - I'll have a look

[pipfromslitherine]

Hmmm - I don't think double tapping works on the PC version? Scrolling is definitely something that isn't very tablet friendly on the PC version as I don't think that drag scrolling is implemented. I will see if it is something we can retrofit without breaking all kinds of other stuff!!!

Cheers

Pip

[Richcat]

Double tapping is my only way to select a unit that I can find having tried various ways.

For moving around the map - could the bottom central round large icon be used tapping left to go left etc. Bit like an on screen joystick.

[pipfromslitherine]

In left only mode then holding on the unit should select it, but on W8 on a tablet it might think that you are trying to right click?

Cheers

Pip

[Richcat]

Holding over does nothing until I release , then I get the circle and triangles around the unit, but no Stargate square rings, until I tap again.
I'm checking out if there are any settings I can change.

[Richcat]

Can't find anything to change on the tablet to change
But I seem to be getting the hang of moving the units - double tap then wipe from selected unit to the tile you want to - then you can tap that and it will move.

To help in navigating the map the mini map is easier and more controllable to use that wiping - can it be made any bigger - I'm sure we asked about this before - and there was an option to do it in BA - just need to find info on forum

[pipfromslitherine]

Pressing J will cycle minimap sizes.

Cheers

Pip

[Richcat]

Thanks Pip totally cool I'll check it out.
Is this new as I remember asking way back but didn't realise it had been added

It works at treat and is now totally playable - not hellish at all

[pipfromslitherine]

"Not hellish at all" - sounds like something for the back of the box!

Glad you can at least somewhat play

Cheers

Pip

[Richcat]

Any chance the mini map J key/switch could be added in the advanced options tools as it is still a pain to get the keyboard to work as BA won't let it appear when in the playing screens - only when in the initial setting up, and I keep forgetting to change it or can the setting be remembered somehow.