After debating about how to manage the interceptor ranges on the intercept screen, I decided it would be best to make it "moddable". I've completed the code for this feature in my own fork of OXCE+ and I must say I can't imagine playing without it after all the testing I've done with it. My son loves it too
Below are screenshots of how the range status is encoded for normal or default, TechComm mod, and two TFTD screens showing the out of range and slightly in range status (red squares & yellow triangles respectively).
This feature is an option that has to be enabled from the Options menu called "Interceptor Range Status". Once enabled, you only need to click on a possible target and then click the "intercept" button from the target screen. By default, the shape also indicates the range no matter if the craft is ready or not: X - craft is not allowed to fly there, square - craft is out of range, triangle - craft is borderline in range, and circle - craft is well within range. The color is used to emphasize the range: red - out or not allowed, green - good to go, yellow - caution, and blue means craft isn't ready.
To change the colors or shapes or both, the interfaces.rul file will need to be changed by providing a copy for you mod.
Example:
- type: interceptorRangeStatusReady
elements:
- id: craftNotAllowed
textShape: 0x0058 # unicode character for X cross (must be hex)
color: 128 # red
- id: inRange
textShape: 0x25CF # unicode character for circle (must be hex)
color: 107 # some shade of brightish green
- id: mightBeInRange
textShape: 0x25B2 # unicode character for triangle (must be hex)
color: 251 # golden yellow
- id: outOfRange
textShape: 0x25A0 # unicode character for square (must be hex)
color: 128 # red
- type: interceptorRangeStatusNotReady
elements:
- id: craftNotAllowed
textShape: 0x0058 # unicode character for X cross (must be hex)
color: 80 # dull blue
- id: inRange
textShape: 0x25CF # unicode character for circle (must be hex)
color: 80 # dull blue
- id: mightBeInRange
textShape: 0x25B2 # unicode character for triangle (must be hex)
color: 80 # dull blue
- id: outOfRange
textShape: 0x25A0 # unicode character for square (must be hex)
color: 80 # dull blue
If you want this integrated into OXCE+ and think it's a must have, you'll have to convince master Meridian
If you want to test the code (and know how to compile), my changes are located in two places:
Feature only:
https://github.com/jgatkinsn/OpenXcom/tree/interceptor_range_statusFeature plus hide purchase items:
https://github.com/jgatkinsn/OpenXcom/tree/combined_hidden_ir