[Kde-games-devel] kbattleship and welcome screen

[Martin Heni]

Johann convinced me to try a welcome screen in kwin4, because it already has 
an introduction screen without real function. I have implemented an example 
version there. I noticed the following things while doing it:

1) I was not really fond of the idea when Johann approached me. However, I 
have to admit that since kwin4 has the welcome screen I ONLY start the games 
via the welcome screen. So obviously it is useful ;-)

2) There is clearly the problem on reinventing the wheel. I think this point 
should not be underestimated. Making a complex layout with graphic elements 
is in my opinion well beyond the necessary and should be avoided.

However, what is possible is some simple buttons which can be done easily with 
Qt graphics elements. Kwin4 introduced only one new and small class 
(buttonsprite.cpp) to do all of this. 
[There is some additional code for the event handling, which usually shouldn't 
be necessary but due to a bug in kwin4 or Qt QGV events are not relayed 
properly to my QGraphicsItems.]

3) What I think is a useful approach is to not duplicate all options of the 
game in the welcome screen but make it like a shortcut/bookmark or whatever 
quick start thing. Make a handful of buttons for the most important game 
type. No or only small hierachy, no or small layouts.

For example, although kwin4 is network aware I decided to not put the network 
stuff in the welcome screen. The reason is that if you set up a network game 
this is not a one click quick process anyway. However, what I want to do fast 
is to quickly play a game against the AI. So this is possible in the screen. 
Maybe have a look at kwin4 to see yourself (but keep in mind that the 
graphics is not yet final)

4) The desktop games in KDE are in my opinion in the middle of what some of 
you wrote: As part of KDE they should behave like a KDE application. As games 
they should be fun and can have some nifty graphic features. Although it is 
always difficult to sit in the middle I think this is alright for the games. 
We just have to be a bit careful what we do. I think some graphic buttons are 
alright as long as the rest of the game is KDE style. A fullscreen only 
OpenGL application I personally would not want in kdegames.

5)  Despite unifying the games I actually would leave the decision of the 
welcome screen to the game. If it fits the game do it, if not don't do it. I 
can't see why this would confuse the users too much. With KDE 4.0 out we 
probably get some user feedback on this and can see whether we have to 
enforce a commen style