Fireplace life meter

[Agnar]

I would like to see a timer or meter of some kind when hovering over or clicking on a fireplace that shows a more accurate representation of it's lifespan

i don't think it would be too difficult to cook something up, but this would be pretty low priority since it's just a luxury to the interface.

[Zezarict]

To me, it's already very easy, you can see how low it is and the characters say different things depending on how low or high it is too.

[LadyD]

There are various levels on the fire. It shrinks and grows depending on the fuel in it.

There is also a certain amount of talking from character as Zezarict said

[Agnar]

I am aware of the current indications, i would just like a more accurate measurement.

[SilentSkies]

I am aware of the current indications, i would just like a more accurate measurement.

I really don't think that would be necessary, you can pretty much guess how long the fire has left if it's low in the middle of the night put more logs on. Plus I believe the games trying to be realistic with the physics side of things so you wouldn't exactly see a timer or meter in real life would you?

So no I don't think there's a need for it....

[etherealwtf]

What about a life bar for enemies ? trees ? berry trees fertility ?

I dont like this idea very much.

[Lezli]

There are so many things in game that could have a 'life bar' that I feel adding a single life bar to a single item makes no sense at all. On that note, the life bar idea in general just seems like a terrible idea for this game.

[mobius187]

I am aware of the current indications, i would just like a more accurate measurement.

I personally like the uncertainty connected to the fire and now knowing when it will extinsguish. Of course , as LadyD noted, there fire clearly indicates its size and the light radius is another factor. It adds a certain thrill to working around the camp at night only to spot how low the fire has died and rushing back to throw another log or handful of grass on it.

[Midnight Tea]

I'm of the mind that games nowadays are a bit too UI heavy. People have gotten a bit too "used" to minimaps and guiding arrows and so on. Generally speaking I think when it comes to UIs, less is more. You should ideally be paying more attention to the game world than rising and falling bars or other indicators.

Don't Starve is pretty good about all that, incidentally. They do a good job of making it fun or part of the experience, like how the heart and stomach icons shrivel or how the characters gesture/emote in the game world when they start to starve.

As others have said, a life meter for a fire is not only not-necessary (it's easy enough to get a sense of how much life your fire has) but it'd be distracting from the feeling like you're alone against the encroaching darkness.

[Fishbertus]

I love the fact that there aren't health bars anywhere, it's much more... Mysterious!

Oooh! How marvelous it is! Too many games these days tell you everything, everything has a health meter and numbers and it clutters everything it.

Don't starve has an mysterious style which is more like a better style, especially with all these strange noises and comedic remarks from the characters.

It also helps a more realistic feel to the game when there isn't HUDS everywhere, just some talking and oldschool styled examining of objects to find out more.

So that's my perspective, but I can understand yours, Agnar.

Edited December 1, 2012 by Fishbertus

[Agnar]

I believe this topic has gotten slightly side tracked. I understand the appeal of the current method adding an 'unknown excitement' factor. I would just like an easier method of throwing a bunch of things in the fire and knowing exactly how long it will last without over feeding or underfeeding resources. This is of course more or less addressing the stone fireplace

I would like to take this moment to address some posts side tracking this suggestion:

What about a life bar for enemies ? trees ? berry trees fertility ?

I dont like this idea very much.

These are all terrible idea's, maybe floating combat numbers, but why would all of these things need a meter? it's fine as is, and none of these things are my suggestion.

There are so many things in game that could have a 'life bar' that I feel adding a single life bar to a single item makes no sense at all. On that note, the life bar idea in general just seems like a terrible idea for this game.

Yes, this one meter or timer for this one thing, life bars are 'not' needed for alot of these things, but since this one thing is responsible for consuming resources i believe a more accurate representation would be appreciated, though not necessary. Your health and hunger are meters, and they can be calculated into a precise manor of how much a certain food heals and fills you. Do not confuse my idea with others suggestion.

[Lezli]

It isn't sidetracking; it's expanding on the idea and discussing concepts behind them. It happens in a feedback and suggestions forum, and isn't a bad thing. ^^'

The nights are not nearly long enough that figuring out exact times can't be done by oneself. Burnable resources are also not nearly scarce enough that knowing exact timings would be beneficial enough to warrant knowing. Adding a feature to the game that the community seems to overwhelmingly dislike because a very few want exact measurements without having to figure them out themselves is terribly unrealistic.

Remember: I'm just giving feedback on the idea, and not attacking you or the fact that you posted a suggestion, so make sure to remember to give people the benefit of the doubt and try not to become passive-aggressive in your responses (not saying you are; just a friendly reminder). <3