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sots-re/findings/subsystems/ui-screen-map.md

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SOTS1 — UI Screen Map & High-Level Flow

Build analysed: sots.gob / sots_local_en.gob dated 2010-04 (Complete Collection + Argos Naval Yard data set) driven by Sword of the Stars.exe 1.8.1 (GOG 2017 rebuild). So this is the final SOTS1 UI surface, not the 2006 launch one — cut/legacy remnants are called out in §5.

Method (Ghidra-free): the brief assumed a tree of per-screen GUI/**/*.script layouts. That tree does not exist. The whole archive holds exactly four .script files (GUI/BorderSprites.script, GUI/StarMap/Lines.script, TechTree/TechTreeDisplay.script, Models/Planets/PlanetResources.script), none of which is a widget layout — SOTS1 screens are built in C++ on the Mars control framework. The map below is therefore reconstructed from five independent evidence layers that all agree with each other:

Layer Source Size
Texture folders GUI/** in list_sots.gob.txt 396 files in 19 folders, named per screen
Sprite table GUI/SpriteTable.csv ~1,950 sprites; names are <SCREEN>_<WIDGET>_<STATE>
String tokens Locale/EN/Strings.csv 5,200 rows in ~200 prefixes; prefix = screen/dialog
UI sound hooks Sounds/sound_ui.csv 50 events, several screen-specific
Class names classes-game.txt (1,404) / classes-mars.txt (194) ~300 *Panel/*Dialog/*Screen/*View/*List types
Layout constants Data/globals.txt, Data/tutorial.txt panel widths/colours, tutorial page list

Manual.pdf (87 pp, in sots-game/) was used only as a cross-check of the flow; its TOC matches the screen list below 1:1.

1. The UI framework (Mars)

Engine side (classes-mars.txt):

  • Containers: Control → Panel, Dialog (+DialogUnderlay), DockablePanel, ClipPanel, ListPanel, ScrollPanel(Game), PanelManager/IPanelManager, Frame/ModelFrame.
  • Widgets: Button, TextButton, IconButton, IconToggleButton, LCRButton (left/centre/right 3-slice), MicroButton, ToggleMicroButton, CheckBox/CheckBoxBase/CheckBoxList, DropDownList (+ListUnderlay), EditView/IEditView, ListBox, ListView/IListView, ListFramework (+Item, ClipPanel), ListColumn, TextListBase, Scrollbar, GradientSlider, TextView/TextViewBase/BulkTextPanel, Picture, Menu/IMenu, Movie (Bink), ProgressPainter, Font/ScalingFont/FontDictionary, GUIResources.
  • Drag & drop: IDropSource / IDropData / IDropTarget — used by the fleet manager, build queue, defence manager, combat reserves and lobby slots (UI_DRAG_START/STOP sound).
  • Sprites: Sprite, SpriteTable (+SpriteTableRowParser). The table header documents the 9-slice convention: CORNER (flipped), VEDGE/HEDGE (stretched), CENTER. Generic skins: MARS_BUTTON_*, MARS_LCRBUTTON_*, MARS_SCROLLBAR_*, MARS_LIST_*, MARS_SLIDER, MARS_CHECKBOX, MARS_ARROW_BUTTON, MARS_FUZZY_BORDER — all cut from GUI/StarMapElements.tga / StarMapBorders.tga / Arrows.tga / fuzzyedge.tga.
  • Sound: UISoundCSVRowParser reads sound_ui.csv (button click/rollover, list open/close, tree expand, dialog query/ok/cancel, exit-screen, etc.).
  • Scripts: Script/IScriptable parse the brace-block format; Mars::Sprite reads BorderSprites.script (the blue main-menu dialog border, 11 sprites from GUI\MainMenu\MenuBorder.tga).

Game-side generic UI (classes-game.txt): Screen, ScreenBar (+ToggleList), TitleBar, PropSheet/PropPage, MessageBoxA, EditMessageBox, PlayerMessageBox/PlayerMessage, PieChartPanel, StatsGraphPanel, MoviePanel, ImageCheckBox/PlayerImageCheckBox, StackedSliderEditCombo, HealthIconPanel (Crosses.tga/xpoints.tga danger/warning/good), Rotator, MutexScreen, AutoJoin/AutoJoinBackground.

Layout constants live in Data/globals.txt (PANEL_SEPARATION 5, STATUSPANEL_MIN_WIDTH 480, BUDGETBAR_WIDTH 150, DESIGN_SIDEBAR_WIDTH 200, DESIGN_DESIGNLIST_WIDTH 180, EVENTSTICKER_OVERLAP 10, popup/main-menu colours, all COMBATHUD_* model/marker settings) — i.e. what little is data-driven is tuning, not layout.

2. Screen catalog

Format: Screen — evidence (textures / sprites / tokens) → key labels → Game:: classes → underlying subsystem.

2.1 Front end

# Screen Evidence Key labels Game:: UI classes Subsystem
F1 Splash / intro GUI/SplashArt/Frontend/Title/{gamespy_splash_A,kerberos_splash_B}.tga; UI_KERBEROS_SPLASH (gui_growl.wav); Movies/sotsintro.bik — IntroView, IntroViewCameraCtl, IntroCameraInfo, MainMoviePanel, IntroOverlay::MainMenuPanel Mars::AppStartup, Mars::Movie
F2 Main menu (3-D nebula backdrop) GUI/MainMenu/{Title,IntroA-C,NebulaA-F}.tga, FrontEnd_Buttons.tga (MAINMENU_BUTTON), MenuBorder.tga (MAINMENU_DIALOGBG), BorderSprites.script; MAINMENU_BTN_* Profiles · Single Player · Host Multi-Player · Join Multi-Player · Load Game · Tutorial · Options · Credits · Cinematics · Exit; MOTD MainMenuPanel, MainMenuMOTD (+ClipPanel), MOTD MOTD fetched from www.kerberos-productions.com/motd
F3 Profile manager PROFILEMAN_*; GUI/Achievements/*.tga (56 badges); Badges/, Avatars/ sprite sets Create/Delete/Switch profile; Species / Played / Won / Lost; Badges Unlocked; "Highest Progression Wars Stage" ProfileManagerPanel, ProfileInfoPanel, CreateProfileDialog, DeleteProfileDialog, SwitchProfileDialog, PlayerAvatarSet, PlayerBadgeSet, PlayerColorSet Profiles/Profile_*.ini, lastprofile.dat (from string-intel)
F4 Options OPTIONS_* (38), FILTER_*, HOTKEYS_* (20), KEYID_* (113), KEYMOD_*; Data/options.txt (volume test sounds) Audio (master/SFX/speech/GUI/music, channels, freq, bitrate, hardware) · Display (adapter, resolution, fullscreen, object/shader/texture detail, filtering, stars, brightness, particle distance) · Input / Key Bindings (tabs General/Strategy/Combat) OptionsPanel, AudioOptionsPanel, DisplayOptionsPanel (+InGameCheck), HotKeysPanel, HotKeysPropSheet, HotKeysPage, HotKeyList ini keys adapter,width,height,fullscreen,antialiasing,brightness,MusicVolume…; key bindings are read-only in UI ("can be changed in the profile ini file")
F5 Credits GUI/Credits/{bink,gamespy}.tga; Data/credits.txt (in local gob) — CreditsPanel —
F6 Tutorial Data/tutorial.txt (page 0 = 7 videos Movies/Tutorial/01-setup…07-combat.bik; pages 1–14 text+image); GUI/Tutorial/page*.tga (pages 9–11 live in sots_local_en.gob); TUTORIAL_* Tutorial · Combat · Strategy Screen · Research · Design · Build · Moving · Node Travel · Hiver Gates · Fleet Information · Planet Info · Colonizing · Special Functions · Final Notes TutorialPanel (+VideoButtonPanel) also a playable scenario Scenarios/Tutorial/Tutorial.txt ("Basic Tutorial")
F7 Cinematics MAINMENU_BTN_MOVIES; Movies/{amocintro,antiquarians,bobintro,lhintro,sotsintro}.bik Cinematics MoviePanel Bink (binkw32.dll)
F8 Game-mode chooser GUI/MainMenu/ChooseGameButtons.tga (GAMESETUPOPTIONS_ICON_{CUSTOM,SCENARIO,SINGLEPLAYER,INTERNET,LAN,BG}); GAMESETUPFE_* Custom / Scenario × Single Player / LAN / Internet; titles "Play Single Player", "Host Multiplayer", "Join Multiplayer", "Load Game" GameSetupOptions, GameSetupOptions_CheckBox —
F9 Game setup (custom) GUI/GameSetup/GameSetupElements.tga (icons AI/Player/Options/Timer/Money; 30 star-map shape icons; 6 species); GAMESETUP_* (59), MAPSHAPE_* (25); Maps/*.csv custom maps; UI_GAMESETUP_ROLLOVER/CONFIRM Star Map Setup (shape, Star Density, Number of Stars, Distance ly, Size, Resources, Suitability) · Available Species · Economic/Research Efficiency · AI Easy/Normal/Difficult · Initial Treasury/Colonies/Technologies · Options: Alliances, Random Encounters %, Lobby/Player Passwords, Teams (+Grouped), Win Ratio · Time: Strategic Turn Length, Combat Turn Length, Combat Query Time Limit (+per-additional-round) · Create Game / Cancel Game GameSetupPanel, CustomSetupPanel, CustomSetup_Maps, GameSetup_AI/LSE/MapSelect(+Impl)/MapView(+IconOverlay)/Money/Name/Option/Options/Player/Species/Time, CustomMapRowParser; legacy OldGameSetupPanel StrategyGameCreateParams, StrategyGameParams, StrategyTimerParams, StarMapParams, Data/Strategy/starmap.txt, RealSpace.csv
F10 Scenario setup GUI/GameSetup/Scenario_Set_A…H.tga (16 scenario images; Set_C is in the local gob); SCENARIO_* (149) Description / Rules / Objectives pages; 14 scenarios: Jewels of the Crown, Hungry Children (HiverInvasion), Upstart Apes (key EARTHVSTARKAS), Holy Lands, A New Hope (CivilWar), His Master's Voice, Lords of a Broken Empire, The End of Flesh, Basic Tutorial, Tourney Space, Progression Wars, The Gathering, Land Grab (S/M/L), Antiquarians ScenarioSetupPanel, ScenarioSetup_Maps, GameSetup_ScenarioPages/ScenarioScene/ScenarioSelect, ScenarioPageBase, ScenarioDescPage, ScenarioObjPage, ScenarioRulesPage, ObjectivesPanel SVScriptObject → 33 SVSO* classes (one per scenario/encounter script) + Scenarios/*.txt/.csv, StrategyScriptParams
F11 Load game GAMESETUP_LOAD_*, GAMELIST_*, GAMECARD_*, GAMEINFO_* (12); SOTS_GAME_{AUTOSAVE,AUTOSAVEBACKUP,REJOINSAVE,ENDTURN_AUTOSAVE,ENDTURN_AUTOSAVEBACKUP} Select saved game; card shows Galaxy Type, Stars, Players, Turn, Version, Economy, Research, Turn/Combat Time, Alliances, Encounters, Teams; Delete StrategyGameList (+Item), GameInfoPanel, CustomDataTable::StrategyGameLoader StrategyGameLoadParams, .sav
F12 Game browser (Join MP) GAMEBROWSER_*, SERVERPAGE_*, FILTERDLG_*, MANUALJOIN_*, CHAT_*, CHATCHANNEL_*, MATCHINGSERVICE_*, NETERROR_* (21 incl. 6 CD-key), AUTOJOINERR_*; GUI/CrossFireLoad.tga (AUTOJOIN) Pages LAN / Internet / Internet Chat; server list (Game Name, Players, Ping, Password, Status, Version); Edit/Apply Filter; Join Manually (Favorites); Refresh; Join; /join addr[:port] command GameBrowserScreen, GameBrowserPanel + nested LANPage, InternetPage, ChatPage, ServerPage, ServerList, GameDisplay, GamePlayers, GBMOTD, FilterDialog, ManualJoinDialog, EnterPasswordDialog; AutoJoin, AutoJoinBackground; ChatMonitor, ChatHistoryView GameSpy master/chat (IRC-style), NatNeg; StrategyJoin (+ProgressDialog)
F13 Lobby (host & join; also the MP between-turns room) GUI/Lobby/{LobbyBG,LobbyElementsA-C}.tga (SLOTPANEL_*, SLOT_BUTTON_{PASSWORD,KICK,OPEN,CUSTOMAI,AI}, SLOTUSER_{AI,DEAD}, SLOTSPECIES_*, LOBBY_COLOR_*, AVATAR_RANDOM, BADGE_RANDOM); LOBBY_* (45), LOBBYSTATUS_*, PLAYERSETUP_* (17), HOSTMIG* (24), TIMERSDLG_*, AIPOLICY_*, SYSTEMMSG_* Launch / Leave Game / Cancel Game / Ready; slots Open/Closed/AI/password/kick/lock; Player Setup (Name, Species, Color, Badge, Avatar, Team, Settings); Game Status (Strategic round… / Resolving combat… / Querying for combat…, "%s of %s players still playing", "%s battles in progress"); in-progress join ("will enter the game when the next turn begins"); Downloading game data; host migration StrategyLobbyScreen (+EnterPasswordDialog, MOTDDialog, PasswordStatus, SpeciesInfoPanel, TurnInfoPanel), SlotPanel, LobbySlotPanel, SlotDetailsPanel, PlayerSetupPanel, SpeciesSelectDialog, SpeciesDescPanel, LobbyChat, ChatDialog, AIPolicyDialog/Panel, SetTimersDialog, ServerMigrationStatusPanel (+ConfirmAbortDialog), ClientMigrationStatusPanel, StrategyHost (+ProgressDialog, ContinueDialog, SHMOTD) SNMSlot* (14 msgs), SNMJoin*, SNMLobbyChat, SNMSetTimers, SNMSetAIPolicy, SNMMakePlayerAI; FNM* chunked file transfer for migration/rejoin; StrategySessionParams, StrategyHostParams

2.2 Strategy layer (the turn screen and its children)

# Screen Evidence Key labels Game:: UI classes Subsystem
S1 Strategy map screen (root of the turn) GUI/StarMapElements.tga (136 sprites), StarMapBorders.tga (82), GUI/StarMap/* (lines, gate/move icons, MapFade, PlayerColorBand, StatusBox), StarMap/Lines.script (MoveLine green/red range segments, NodeLine, DistanceLine, FleetLine with per-drive arrow textures STL/Warp/Stutter/Node/Teleport/Farcast/Flock, GateLine, TradeLine); Star.tga, disc.tga, ring.tga, piegradient.tga; UICSTR_* strategic hotkeys camera orbit/zoom; Home System; Focus/Zoom; Select Next/Prev Colony / Idle Fleet / Trade Sector StrategyMapScreen (+DebugOverlay), StarMapPanel, StarMapCameraPanel, StarMapEdgePanel, MiniStarMapPanel, StarMapNode, StarMapLine, StarMapNodeLine, StarMapLinePainter, NodeLinePainter, NodeLineDesc, FleetLine, GateLine, TradeLine, TradeLinePainter, TradePainter, TradeSectorPainter, StrategyClient/StrategyClientData StarSystem, ClientNodeGraph/ServerNodeGraph, NodePath/NodeRoute/SimpleNodePath, StrategySim
S1a Screen chrome (bottom bar, status panel, empire bar, ticker) sprites SCREENBAR_*, SCREENBAR_EXIT, ENDTURN_* (LCR button), EXITSCREEN, TICKER_*, EMPIRE_OPENBTN (BudgetButton.tga), EMPIREBUDGET_* / EMPIRE_SLIDER_*; GUI/Bar_Buttons.tga (BARBUTTON_{POLMAP,TRADE,RESEARCH,DESIGN,BUILD,DIPLOMACY,INTEL,RANKINGS,EVENTS,TECHTREE,POPULATIONS,OLDTRADE,OLDALLIANCE}), ticker_buttons{,2,3}.tga (BARBUTTON_{CHAT,INFO,FLEETLINES,STARS,OBJECTIVES,SENSORNET,SURRENDER,TOGGLE,ENEMYNODES}); STRATEGY_END_TURN, STATUS_*, PLAYERSTATUS_*, TOOLTIP_BARBUTTON_* (14), COMMON_BUDGETBAR_LEFT/RIGHT End Turn / Game Over / Eliminated; Exit; savings↔research slider; status list NAME / STATUS / ROUNDS / TIME REMAINING with per-player status (Playing, Done, Querying, Staging, Fighting, Eliminated, AI) and alliance indicators; buttons Ranks / Diplomacy / Intel Analysis / Empire Civilian Settings; toggles Chat, Star Brightness, Fleet Lines, Objectives, Political Map, Trade View, Sensor Network, Enemy Node Paths, Galactic Axes, Options ScreenBar (+ToggleList), StatusPanel (+PlayersPanel), EmpireBar, EventsTickerPanel, ObjectivesPanel, ObjectiveListView(Item), PlayerIconList (+Clipper), ChatControl, ChatEditControl, ChatInputControl, ChatHistoryPanel/ChatHistoryPanel2, ChatMessageListPanel, PlayerNotePanel/PlayerNoteButton (StickyNoteElements.tga, NOTEPAD_*), QuitStrategyGameDialog (STRATDLG_*), SaveGameDialog/SaveGameMessageBox (SAVEGAMEDLG_*), SurrenderDialog (+PlayersOverlay, ConfirmDialog) TurnCommands, StrategyTurnInfo, SNMEndTurn, SNMTurnInfo, SETurnEnd*; PlayerNotes
S2 System / planet panel (selected star) GUI/SystemPanels.tga (SYSINFO_*, POPMAN_*_ICON), StarMap/SystemUI/* (SatRing, HomeSystem, Unexplored, SystemCaps, asteroid ring, PC_Insert), SYSINFO_* (18), SYSSUM_* (24), STATIONSUM_*, STATIONTYPE_* (Command/Science/Repair/Sensors/Trade/Habitat); ClimateHazard/Overharvest/SystemBudget slider skins Name, Owner, Size, Resources, Climate Hazard, Population (Imperial/Civilian/Slaves), Infrastructure, Industrial Output, Income, Gates, Defenses; five sliders: Overharvest, Construction↔Trade, Terraforming, Infrastructure, Ship Construction; buttons Research / Design / Build, Abandon, Manage Civilians / Slaves / Defenses, View Enemy Defenses, Notes; "Stations at %s" Activated/Deactivated/Under Construction SystemViewPanel, SystemSummaryPanel (+Overlay), SystemSummaryList, StrategySystemInfo, SystemRateSliders, SystemTradeSlider, ClimateControl, ClimateHazardBar/Slider, PopulationSlider, SpeciesSlider (+Overlay), StationSummaryPanel/Popup, StationDetailsPanel, StationIcons, SensorInfoPanel, ConfirmAbandonColonyDialog StarSystem, Planet, ServerSystem/ClientSystem, SystemParams, Station, Population, SystemBuildQueue
S3 Fleet panel (fleets at selected system / sector / deep space) StarMap/FleetUI/RoundButton.tga, system_tab_fleet_icons.tga + UserHUDElements.tga (FLEETCARD_ICON_* per race + Refugees/Artifact), ACTION_ICON_* (16 small + 16 large from SystemUI/*.tga), GUI/RefuelElements.tga (SUPPORT_*); FLEETINFO_* (15), FLEETFILTER_* (19), FLEETSORT_*, FLEETDETAILS_*, FLEETMENUITEM_*, SHIPACTION_* (15), ACTIONDLG_* (30), MOVEWARNING_* (17), MISC_FLIGHTPLAN_*, SUPPORT_*/REFUEL_/REPAIR_; UI_AUTO_REFUEL/REPAIR "Fleets at %s / in %s / nearby"; Manage Fleets · Move · Special (Colonize, Deploy Gate, Mine, Refine, Dump Ore, Refuel, Repair, Stop, Scuttle, Build, Build/Deploy/Extract Spy, Colony/Mining Trap, Dismantle Trap, Transfer Slaves, Flag as Guard/Raider); Add To New Fleet / Split Ships / Add Note; filters (In Transit, Recent Combat, With Colonizers/Refineries/Miners/Repair/Tankers/Gate/CnC/NodeBore/Freighters/Slave/Police/Construction/Flagships/Deep Scans); move warnings (node range, gate capacity, node-bore path limits, trade-sector node rules) StrategyFleetInfo (+FleetMenuSource, FleetListDropTarget), FleetList (+Column, IconColumn, TextColumn, NoteColumn, Item), FleetListHeader, FleetShipList (+FleetsClipPanel, ShipsClipPanel), FleetSummaryPanel, PlayerFleetsPanel, MoveDestinationMenu, ConfirmMoveFleetDialog, ShipCmdDialog, action dialogs ColonizeDialog, GateDialog, RefineDialog, MineDialog, DumpOreDialog, DumpSlavesDialog, ScuttleDialog, StopDialog, BuildSpyDialog, DeploySpyDialog, PickupSpyDialog, SetColonyTrapDialog, SetMiningTrapDialog, ClearTrapDialog; SupportPanel, RefuelPanel, RepairPanel, SupportControl/Slider, RefuelAvailCell, RepairAvailCell, SupportAvailCell StarFleet, StarShip, FlightPlan (+Waypoint), Can* predicate functors (CanColonize… CanSetTrapFtor), SpyCraft, ClientSpyManager
S4 Fleet manager GUI/FleetManager/* (per-race *_Destroyer.tga, *_ShipIcons.tga, StationsDrones_ShipIcons.tga, Defence_Sat.tga), sprites FLEETMAN_*, FLEETLIST_*; FLEETMAN_* (8), RESERVESSORT_*, SHIPSET_*, PLAYERFLEETS_*, TOOLTIP_FLEETLISTBTN_EDITLAYOUT Manage Fleets; First Wave / Reinforcements / Squads; Command Cost / Command Quota; Rename Fleet; "Fleet Layout Not Available"; Edit Layout FleetManagerPanel (+ButtonOverlay, DialogUnderlay, RenameFleetDialog, FleetMenuSource), FleetLayoutPanel, FleetLayoutGrid, ReservesList, ReserveQueueBox, ShipList (+ShipItem), ShipSetPanel (+BucketList), ShipAssignmentPanel, drop plumbing FleetManager_{FleetList,Layout,Reserves}DropTarget, ShipDropSource/Data, ReservesDropSource/Data/Target FleetLayout, Reserves, FleetNameGenerator
S5 Defense manager DEFMAN_ARROW (Arrows.tga), SYSINFO_ICON_DEFSATS*; DEFENCEMAN_*, DEFMAN_*, UICSTR_OPEN_DEFENCEMAN Manage Defences; Command Quota/Cost; "Show Neighbors (by distance)"; right-drag to rotate fleet; Remove Fleet DefenceManager (+MapDropTarget), DefenceMap, DefenceLayout, DefenceFleetAssignment, DefenceFleetRotator, DefenceSummary, DefenceObject, DOFleet/DOPlanet/DOStation/DODefSat, DefenceDropSource/Data DefencePlatform, DefenceManager (sim side)
S6 Population manager / Empire population / Slave manager POPMAN_* (21), GLOBALPOPMAN_*, SLAVEMAN_*, CONFIRM_*_CIVRATIOS_*; POPMAN_TITLE_ICON, GLOBALPOPMAN_TITLE_ICON Current/Maximum (Combined) Population, Combined Civilian Population, Climate Control, Morale, Morale Events; Empire: Maximum Civilians Per System, Apply Empire Settings; Slave Manager: Output, Death Rate PopulationManager, PopulationControl, PopulationGroup, PopulationSummary (+Overlay), MoraleEventsPanel, MoraleEventList, GlobalCiviliansControl, GlobalPopulationManager, CivilianRatios, SpeciesRatios, ConfirmCivilianRatiosDialog, ConfirmApplyCivilianRatiosDialog, SlaveManagerPanel (+SpeciesControls) Population, Morale/MoraleEvent (MESTR_* 38 morale strings), PrisonerHold, Plague/ZuulInfestation
S7 Build screen BUILD_* (21), SHIPBUILD_*, BUILDERROR_* (22), TOOLTIP_BUILDPANEL_REMOVE_ORDER; sprites BUILD_ORDERINC/DEC; globals DESIGN_SIDEBAR_WIDTH ("build/design screens") Build; Available Designs; Add To Queue; Build Queue; Financial Details (Treasury, Fleet Maintenance current/queued/total); Ship Details (structure, turrets, speed, range, costs, "%s in service / built / destroyed"); construction-ship build ("Construction Ships:") BuildPanel (+MiniBudgetPanel, MiniEmpirePanel, PreviewPanel), BuildQueuePanel, BuildOrderListPanel (+Item), BuildOrderDropSource/Data/Target, ShipBuildPanel/IShipBuildPanel, BuilderList, DesignList (+PerClassList), ShipPreviewPanel, ShipStatsPanel BuildQueue, ShipBuildQueue, ShipBuildOrder, SystemBuildQueue, CanBuild, SEBuildCompleted/Cancelled
S8 Design screen GUI/WeaponIcons{,_2}.tga + WeaponIconPlacements.txt (362 KB icon atlas map), WeaponIconOutline.tga, WeaponTitle.tga (WEAPONLIST_TAB_*), SHIPDESIGN_GROUP_BUTTON0-2; DESIGN_*, DESIGNERR_*, DESIGNCLASS_* (Destroyer/Cruiser/Dreadnought/Station/Rider), SHIPSTATS_* (16), WEAPONLIST_*, SECTIONNAME_* (283) / SECTIONDESC_* (202); UI_DESIGN_SECTION_CHANGED/WEAPON_ROLLOVER/WEAPON_SELECTED Ship Designs; section picker (command/mission/engine); Weapon Layout / Weapon Groups; Ship Stats (Savings/Construction cost, Armor, Mass, Range, Speed, Tactical/Turning Speed, turrets S/M/L/Special); Save Design / Remove Design; errors "Mismatched Sections", "AI Control Sections Disabled Due To AI Rebellion" ShipDesignPanel, SectionConfigPanel, SectionOverlay (+OptionIcon), WeaponPanel, WeaponPanel2, WeaponListPanel, WeaponSelectPanel_List/Tab, WeaponIconButton, WeaponGroups, WeaponGroupControls, WeaponControls, DesignInfoPanel/Popup, DesignPreviewPanel, DesignErrorPanel, TurretStatsPanel, SaveDesignDialog, RaidDesignPanel, ShipDesignCell ShipDesignDef (+LegacyGunBank), ShipDesign, DesignList, ShipIconGenerator, SEAddDesign/SESyncDesign
S9 Research screen (3-D tech tree) TechTree/TechTreeDisplay.script (12 branch models TechTree_{BAL,BIO,CCC,DRV,EWP,IND,NRG,SLD,TRP,WHD,DRN,XNC}.X, Rings.X background, state colours researched/researchable/researching/hidden), GUI/ResearchElements.tga (TECHINFO_*, RESEARCH_*), TechTree/ShipArt/* (TECHSHIP_* section icons); RESEARCH_* (21), TECHNAME_*/TECHDESC_* (293 each), TECHBEN_*, TECHERA_*, SPRJ_* (106, 103 of them SPRJ_BACKENG_*), SPECPROJECT_*, SPINNERPANEL_*; UI_RES_SELECTION/ZOOMIN_ACROSS/ZOOMOUT/COMPLETE/BOOST/SHORT_AMBIENT Research; Researching … "%s turns to complete"; Research/Cancel; Boost Research (savings slider, Apply); Special Projects (Start/Cancel Project); History ("Turn %s"); Completed! dialog; Overbudget ResearchPanel (+DoubleClickPanel, TitlePanel, BudgetPanel::ResearchPanel), TechTreePanel, TechInfoPanel, TechNamePanel, TechDescPanel, TechBenefitPanel, ResearchListPanel, ResearchProjectPanel, ResearchHistoryPanel/List, ResearchSpecialPanel/Controls, ResearchBoostControls, ResearchSpinnerPanel, ResearchDonePanel, TechOptionsList (+Item) TechTree, TechProject, SpecialProject(Impl), BackEngProject, MonitorProject, JewelsProject, TechOfferProject, ObservedTech, MasterTechList.tech
S10 Empire summary (tabbed) EMPIRE_TABTITLE_*, BUDGET_* (19), EMPIREINFO_*, STATSGRAPH_*/STATSPAGE_* (GUI/Graph_buttons.tga 9 graph types), EMPIRE_PAGEBTN, EMPIRE_ENEMYINCOMING; UI_TAB_SELECTED (gui_overview) tabs Colonies/Budget · Fleets · Explored Systems · Enemy Colonies · History · Stats · Trade · Spies; Budget: Treasury, Income (Planetary, Trade, Ships, Foreign, Interest), Expenses (Planetary Development, Fleet Maintenance, Research, Aid, Special Projects, Additional), Projected Change/Treasury; graphs Population/Trade/Savings/Colonies/Techs/Battles/Ships/Lost/Killed, "Turns To Display" EmpireSummaryPanel, EmpireInfoPanel, BudgetPanel, BudgetPieChartPanel, PieChartPanel, SystemsPage, ExploredSystemsPage, EnemySystemsPage, EventsHistoryPanel, StatsPanel (+Overlay), StatsGraphPanel, StatsLegendPanel, TradeSummaryPanel, ShipSummaryPanel PlayerTurnStats, PlayerTurnHistory, GameTurnHistory, ShipRecords
S11 Trade view / sectors GUI/TradePanel_Elements.tga, StarMap/TradeDot_Depart.tga, TradeLine_Depart.tga, STATIONICON_TRADE; TRADE_*, TRADESECTOR_*, TRADEROUTE_*, TROUTESTATUS_* (Inactive/New/Developing/Established/Shutting Down), SECTORSUMMARY_*, FREIGHTERCOUNT_*, UICSTR_NEXT/PREV_TRADESECTOR Trade Sectors; Sector %s secure/unsecured; Routes, Freighters, Income, Maximum Route Length; Build Freighter; raid targets TradeSectorPanel/ITradeSectorPanel, TradeRoutePanel, TradeSectorList, TradeSystemList, TradeSummaryPanel, RaidFleetList/Item, RaidSectorList/Item, RaidTargets TradeManager, ServerTradeManager(Impl), ClientTradeManager, TradeSector, TradeRoute, TradeSystemInfo, ServerTradeSector (+FreighterWarning)
S12 Diplomacy screen (+ Alliance manager, Aid, Joint projects, Intel) GUI/Alliance/*.tga (11 "table" scenes: DIPTABLE_HOST_*/GUEST_*, TECHTABLE_* per race pairing), DIPRELATION_ARROW, PoliticalButtons.tga; DIPSCREEN_* (27), ALLIANCEDLG_* (45), ALLIANCEMAN_* (22), GIVEAID_* (19), GIVETECH_* (21), SURRENDERDLG_*, EMPIRESURRENDER_*, INTEL_*, AIDIP_* (755 AI diplomacy lines, ~125 per race); UI_ALLY_SEND_AID, UI_ALLIANCE_ACCEPTED/REJECTED/BROKEN status War / Ceasefire / NAP / Ally; per-player Savings, Colonies, Homeworld, Hazard, Ships, Sats, Max Class/Power; Give Savings/Research, Compose Message, View Agreements, Demand Surrender; Alliance Manager lists (Alliance Members / Non-Aggressive / Cease Fire / Enemy Players), invites, downgrade dialogs; Aid Manager (per-turn savings/research for N turns); Joint Project (Offer Technology); Intel Analysis (Last Ships Observed, Known Empire Technology); "Research %s to engage in diplomatic relations" DiplomacyPanel, DiplomacyPlayerCard, DiplomacyStats, PlayerAlliancesPanel, PlayerAllianceControls/Popup, AllianceDialogCommon, AllianceInviteDialog(Std/Neg), AllianceEventDialog, GiveAidPanel, GiveAidPlayerPanel (+Overlay), GiveAidControlPanel, TechOfferDialog(Base), TechOffer{Accepted,Cancelled,Rejected,Query,QueryAccepted,QueryRejected}Dialog, IntelAnalysisPanel, IntelPlayerTab, IntelShipList, IntelTechList, IntelTechIcon AllianceInvite, PlayerAid, TechOffer, AIRelationRecord, ObservedDesign/Tech/Weapon, SNMAlliance*, SNMDemandEmpireSurrender*, SNMTechOffer
S13 Comm system (structured diplomacy messaging) GUI/com_system/{com_system_icons,Com_InnerBorder,TabOutline}.tga (33 message icons); COMMSYSPAGE_*, COMMTAB_*, COMMDEC_* (26), COMMREQ_* (30), COMMRECIP_*, COMMEXP_*, COMMMSG_*, UIC_BEGIN_COMM; UI_CHAT_* pages Chat / Compose / Incoming / Outgoing; declarations (I Want, I Saw, I Like/Hate, Curse, Thanks, Sorry, Send System Info/Notes/All Colony Info, Severed alliance…) and requests (Rally/Attack/Defend at, Money, Research, Disposition, Harass X, Stop harassing/mining/colonizing, Sever alliance…); recipients Broadcast/Alliance; expiry ASAP/Never/By turn CommSystemPanel (+InnerBorderOverlay), CommSystem_Builder/Chat/Messages/Viewer, CommListPanel, CommIconList, CommIcon_{Player,Standard,System}, CommParamList/Page, CommMessageContainer ICommMessage → CommDeclare* (13) / CommRequest* (15) / CommGenericMessage; SNMCommMessage, SEAIReceiveCommMessage; ChatTranslation + Locale/EN/ChatTrans.txt
S14 Rankings RANKINGS_* (11) Ranking by Income, Technologies, Colonies, Population, Output, Ships (Built/Lost/In Service/Enemy Killed) RankingsPanel PlayerTurnStats
S15 Political map overlay StarMap/SystemUI/{InfluenceDisc,Core}.tga (POLMAP_HALO, POLMAP_MILITARY_THREAT, STARMAP_SENSOR_RANGE, POLMAP_CORE_*), PoliticalButtons.tga; POLMAP_*, UICSTR_TOGGLE_POLMAP_* views Political / Alliances / Recent Combats / Military / Sensor Network; "Analyzing Intel…" PoliticalMapPanel sensor model SensorShadow/SphereSensorShadow/SensorJammerShadow
S16 Events (turn news) GUI/Events/* (61 tga: per-race *_tv_events512_1-4, special_events512_1-14, EventBG, EventButtons, static_screen, *_Victory/_Defeated, Draw, Progression*); ~250 EVENT_* sprites; EVENTMSG_* (415), EVENTSUM_* (247), TOOLTIP_EVENTS_CLOSE; UI_NEWS_OPEN/CLOSE/CHANGE one "TV" card per event with prev/next; ticker summaries EventPanel, EventPanel_ForLists, EventsDisplayPanel, EventsTickerPanel, EventsHistoryPanel/List (+Item) EventStorage (+Event, TurnEvents), StrategyEvent, SystemEvent, SETurnEvents, SNMGenericEvent
S17 Spy reports SPY_*, SPYSUM_* (13), SPYINFO_*, SPY_TRADE_BTN/SPY_DEFENSE_BTN sprites Spy Network (Spies / Spy Reports; statuses Enroute/Active/Detected/Completed/Extracted); Spy Report: Trade Routes / Events / Research / Defenses SpyReport, SpyReportTrade/Events/TechTree/Defences, SpyReportTradeRoute, TradeSpyReport, EventsSpyReport, TechTreeSpyReport, DefencesSpyReport SpyCraft, ClientSpyManager/ServerSpyManager
S18 Modal turn dialogs ELIMINATEDDLG_*, ENDGAMESPLASH_*, PROCESSING_TITLE, TIMERSDLG_*, AIPOLICY_*, SPECPROJECT_CONFIRM_*, SCENARIO_PROGRESSIONWARS_DLG_*, UPSTARTOBJ_*/*OBJ_* scenario objectives "You have been ELIMINATED!", "You are VICTORIOUS!", "Game ends in a DRAW", Processing…, Game Time Limits, Choose AI Policy (Maintain/Defend/Expand), Generational Convoy EndGameDialog, EndGameMoviePanel, AIProcessingDialog, AIRebellionDialog, SetTimersDialog, AIPolicyDialog, ProgressDialog::StrategyHost/Join, AdvanceStageFleetQueryDialog, SEPostDialog EndCondition/IEndConditionFunctor, *VictoryFunctor (12), AIRebellion

2.3 Combat layer

# Screen Evidence Key labels Game:: UI classes Subsystem
C1 Combat setup / encounter query GUI/CombatSetup/* (15: CombatElements(_MouseOver), CombatStates(_2), 11 combatcard_*.tga); sprites ENCACTION_{OBSERVE,IGNORE,FIGHT,AUTO,FIGHTIF,AUTOPEACE,SURRENDER,SURRENDERAUTO,SURRENDERFIGHT}, COMBATSETUP_CARD_*, 24 COMBATSETUP_CARD_SCENARIO_* (one per encounter type: VonNeumann, SlaversRefuel, Pirate, Monitor, Meteor, Derelict, Swarm, PuppetMaster, SystemKiller, TradeRaiders, LarvaQueen, SwarmQueen, Locust, Berserker, CrowRuins, Refugees, Ortgay, VNHome, VNFinsol, GasCloud, TheHerald, Unknown, RebelAI); COMBATSETUP_* (23), ENCOUNTERNAME_* (24), COMBATLAUNCH_*; globals COMBATSETUP_SYSTEMSUMMARY_TOP; UI_COMBAT_STING/WILL_FIGHT/WONT_FIGHT "Encounter at %s / in Deep Space / in Nodespace", "Raiders in %s"; per-player choice: Fight Manually · Fight Manually If Opponent Does · Auto Resolve Peacefully · Auto Resolve · Observe · Demand Surrender (Auto/Fight) · Surrender; query timer CombatSetupScreen (+Overlay), CombatSetupDialog (+TimerOverlay), CardPanel, EncounterInfoPanel (+Overlay), EncounterActionControl, EncounterList (+Item), CombatPlayerList/Item, CombatPlayerInvariant EncounterQuery, EncounterParams, CombatEncounterParams, SNMDoEncounterQuery/SNMEncounterQueryResults, SNMRequestRandomEncounter, CombatMissions/Encounter/{DeepSpace,InSystem,NodeSpace}.combat
C2 Combat loading GUI/Combat/CL_*.tga (33 faction/encounter loading backdrops), CL_Elements.tga (COMBATLOAD_SCREENHAZE, COMBATLOAD_VERSUS), GUI/SplashArt/Loading/* (37 splashes), LoadScreen_Anim00-03.tga, loadbar.tga; COMBATLOAD_LOADING, COMBAT_WAITINGFORPLAYER/SERVER "Loading…", "Waiting for player: %s" CombatLoaderPainter, CombatLobbyClient CombatLaunchParams, SNMHostCombat/JoinCombat/LaunchCombat, CombatNetworkServer/Client, CNM* (combat net msgs)
C3 Combat screen (tactical HUD) — Battle view ⇄ Sensors view GUI/Combat/CombatElements.tga (81 sprites: COMBATHUD_WEAPONS_*, GROUPCON_*, RESERVESSURROUND_*, BOMBARD*, STANCEICON_{PURSUE,AGGRESSIVE,STANDOFF,BREAKOFF,RETREAT}, CLOAKBUTTON, AEAUTOFIREBUTTON, ONLYMYTARGET, HOLDFIRE_ALL, FACINGICON_{TARGET,BROADSIDE,NAV}, PLAYERLIST_{FIGHTING,CEASECOMBAT}_ICON), ShipOverlay.tga, Models/CombatHud/*.X (ShipSelectRing, EnemyRing, combat_arrow/Sprint_Arrow waypoints, MissileTargetDrop/point, MouseTargetPoint), GUI/Mouse/mouse_{default,addselection,forcefire,invalid,moveplane,rotateformation}.tga; COMBATHUD_*, UICSTR_TAC_* (45 hotkeys), TOOLTIP_COMBATBTN_*, TOOLTIP_STANCE_*, TOOLTIP_FACING_*, TOOLTIP_COMBAT_*, TOOLTIP_*_CAPACITY (drones, shuttles, bio/node missiles, hunters), COMBATOPTIONS_*; globals COMBATHUD_*; exe refs GUI/Combat/CombatHUD.script, SensorHUD.script, NoHUD.script (not shipped) Battle / Sensors main buttons; Fleet Commands; weapons panel (per-bank toggle/fire/launch, groups 0-2, Select All, Hold Fire); Reserves list; stances (Normal, Pursue, Close to Attack, Stand Off, Break Off to Back Line, Retreat), facing (Face Target / Turn Broadside / Face Heading) for Selection vs Fleet; Cloak/Intangibility, AE Autofire, Fire Only At My Target, Bombard Colony (Population / Civilian / Imperial), Cease Combat; hotkeys Pause, Single-Step, Speed Up/Slow Down Time, Toggle Sensors/HUD/Reserves/Weapon Panel/Ship Overlay/Framerate, Next/Prev Ship/Enemy, Focus, Focus On Reinforcements, All Stop, Clear Targets/Selection, Roll Left/Right, Release Grapple; Select Command Fleet CombatScreen (+BandboxEventTarget), CombatView (+Focus/SelectionEventTarget), BattleView (+CameraCtl, DebugOverlay), SensorsView (+CameraCtl), CombatOverlay (+SelectionEventTarget), CombatOverlay_{BombardButton,FacingButton,PlanetStats,Reserves,StanceButton,Weapons}, CombatPeaceButton, StanceButtonBase, CombatSelection, CombatSelectionRing, CombatFocus, Bandbox, GunBankSelection, ShipWeapons (+GunEventTarget), WeaponGroupControls, AllGroupControls, OneGroupControls, ReservesList, CombatTitle, CombatPlayerList, CombatOptionsDialog, BombardDialog, RequestAsylumDialog, ChatControl 31 CombatCommand* types (ship attack/maneuver/waypoint/facing/stance/hold-fire/cloak/intang/bank toggle/fire once/grapple; fleet stance/facing/hold-fire; reserves pick/move; bombard mode; AE autofire; set player AI; want-end-combat; asylum) → GameCombatSim / Mars::CombatSim; Actor/Ship/ShipBase/Station/Planet entities; TacAI*; CombatSim lockstep (@SYNC ERROR)
C4 Combat end & report COMBAT_* (19: victory/defeat/draw/ceasefire/derelict/VN-mom/asteroids/refugees), COMBATREPORT_* (10); Events/*_Victory.tga "You are victorious!", "Round draw.", ceasefire query/success/failure, "Data transmission terminated." (observer); report: Class Name / Total / Lost / Inflicted / Taken, Allies / Enemies, Overall Weapons Damage CombatDoneDialog, CombatReportPanel, CombatReportPanelEx, CombatReportPlayerCard, CombatReportWeaponItem, CombatPlayerStats CombatReport, CombatPlayerReport, CombatShipReport, CombatWeaponReport, CombatDamageReport, TacReport(Events), EncounterResult(s) → 20 *EncounterResult types, ClientEncounterResults, SNMEncounterResults, SNMAllCombatDone

3. Flow

flowchart TD
  Splash[F1 Splash / intro movie] --> Menu[F2 Main menu]
  Menu --> Profiles[F3 Profile manager]
  Menu --> Options[F4 Options / Key bindings]
  Menu --> Credits[F5 Credits]
  Menu --> Tutorial[F6 Tutorial pages + videos]
  Menu --> Movies[F7 Cinematics]
  Menu -->|Single Player / Host MP| Mode[F8 Custom or Scenario]
  Mode --> Setup[F9 Game setup]
  Mode --> Scen[F10 Scenario setup]
  Menu -->|Load Game| Load[F11 Load game]
  Menu -->|Join MP| Browser[F12 Game browser: LAN / Internet / Chat]
  Setup --> Lobby[F13 Lobby: slots, player setup, timers, AI policy]
  Scen --> Lobby
  Load --> Lobby
  Browser --> Lobby
  Lobby -->|Launch → Initializing Game…| Strat

  subgraph TURN[Strategic turn loop]
    Strat[S1 Strategy map screen] --> Sys[S2 System panel]
    Strat --> Fleet[S3 Fleet panel + action dialogs]
    Fleet --> FM[S4 Fleet manager]
    Sys --> DM[S5 Defense manager]
    Sys --> PM[S6 Population / Slave manager]
    Strat --> Build[S7 Build]
    Strat --> Design[S8 Design]
    Strat --> Research[S9 Research tech tree]
    Strat --> Empire[S10 Empire summary tabs]
    Strat --> Trade[S11 Trade sectors]
    Strat --> Dip[S12 Diplomacy / Alliances / Aid / Intel]
    Dip --> Comm[S13 Comm system]
    Strat --> Rank[S14 Rankings]
    Strat --> Pol[S15 Political map overlay]
    Strat --> Ev[S16 Events]
    Empire --> Spy[S17 Spy reports]
    Strat --> Save[Save game / Quit dialog]
  end

  Strat -->|End Turn| Wait[Waiting for other players<br/>SETurnEndPending, cancellable]
  Wait -->|all done| Proc[Server SEProcessTurn:<br/>move, build, research, events]
  Proc -->|no encounters| NewTurn[SETurnResults / SNMResumePlaying<br/>new turn sound]
  Proc -->|encounters| Query[C1 Combat setup: encounter query<br/>Fight / Auto / Peace / Observe / Surrender]
  Query --> Loading[C2 Combat loading]
  Loading --> HUD[C3 Combat screen: Battle ⇄ Sensors]
  HUD -->|combat timer or all cease| Done[C4 Combat done + report]
  Done -->|SNMAllCombatDone| NewTurn
  Query -->|other players' battles| Wait
  NewTurn --> Strat
  NewTurn -->|eliminated / victory| End[S18 End-game splash / movie]
  End --> Menu
  Save -->|Quit to Main Menu| Menu
  Lobby -.->|MP: between rounds, mid-game join, host migration| Wait

Turn structure (from strings, sound hooks and SE*/SNM* event names)

  1. Strategic round (LOBBYSTATUS_STRATEGY_ROUND, PLAYERSTATUS_PLAYING). All S-screens are reachable from the map bar at any time; commands accumulate in TurnCommands. Optional timer (GAMESETUP_TIME_STRATEGY, StrategyTimerParams, SETurnTimeExpired); timers changeable mid-game (SNMSetTimers, "take affect the next turn").
  2. End Turn → SNMEndTurn, local state SETurnEndPending (status "Done"); can be withdrawn (SETurnEndCancelled, SNMQueryEndTurnDone). Autosave "(Autosave EndTurn)". In MP the host "collects turn data from other players" for saves (SAVEGAME_COLLECTING_TURNDATA).
  3. Processing (PROCESSING_TITLE, SEProcessTurn, SEAIPrepareTurn, AI SNMRunAI): movement (SEFleetArrived), builds (SEBuildCompleted), research, trade, plague/morale, scenario scripts, then SETurnResults + SETurnEvents.
  4. Querying round (LOBBYSTATUS_QUERYING_ROUND, PLAYERSTATUS_QUERYING): each encounter raises C1 for every involved player (SNMDoEncounterQuery); time limit = base + per-additional-round (GAMESETUP_TIME_QUERYBASE/QUERYEXTRA). Results SNMEncounterQueryResults decide fight vs auto-resolve (GameCombatSim headless) vs peace.
  5. Combat round (LOBBYSTATUS_COMBAT_ROUND, PLAYERSTATUS_FIGHTING, status column ROUNDS / TIME REMAINING): battles hosted one at a time per host (SNMHostCombat → SNMHostCombatReply → SNMLaunchCombat, clients SNMJoinCombat), each bounded by GAMESETUP_TIME_COMBAT (SNMCombatTimeRemaining). Players not in a battle stay on S1 read-only ("%s battles in progress, %s of %s remaining"). Combat can end early on ceasefire (CombatCommandSetWantEndCombat, CeaseCombatFunctor) or elimination (CombatEliminationFunctor) or expiry (CombatExpiredFunctor). Results → C4 → SNMEncounterResults.
  6. Resume (SNMAllCombatDone → SNMResumePlaying/SEResumePlaying, UI_LAST_PLAYING = gui_newturn.wav, SELastPlaying): new turn number, S16 events appear, loop to 1.
  7. Exit conditions: EndCondition functors per scenario; ELIMINATEDDLG, ENDGAMESPLASH (win / other player wins / team wins / draw), EndGameMoviePanel; bankruptcy elimination after BANKRUPTCY_ELIMINATION_TURNS 10.
  8. MP side-paths: join in progress (LOBBY_INPROG_*: joiner parks in F13 until next turn, SNMSlotInsertClient), leaver replaced by AI per AIPOLICY, host leaves → host migration + FNM* file push of the autosave (HOSTMIG_*), "(Rejoin)" save.

4. Sound-hook → screen index (sound_ui.csv)

Event Screen
UI_KERBEROS_SPLASH F1
UI_GAMESETUP_ROLLOVER/CONFIRM F9/F10
UI_DRAG_START/STOP (gui_playerslot) F13 slot drag, S4/S5/S7 drops
UI_CHAT_* F12 chat, S1a chat, S13
UI_RES_* S9
UI_DESIGN_* S8
UI_AUTO_REFUEL/REPAIR S3 support panels
UI_POLITICAL_CLOSE S15
UI_NEWS_* S16
UI_TAB_SELECTED (gui_overview) S10
UI_ALLY_* / UI_ALLIANCE_* S12 (UI_ALLY_RECEIVE_AID marked "not in code yet")
UI_COMBAT_STING/WILL_FIGHT/WONT_FIGHT C1
UI_LAST_PLAYING (gui_newturn) turn rollover
UI_EXIT_SCREEN, UI_DIALOG_*, UI_LIST_*, UI_TREE_*, UI_BUTTON_* generic

5. Surprises, hidden/debug, cut features

  1. UI is not data-driven. Only 4 .script files exist and none is a layout. The exe nevertheless references GUI/Combat/CombatHUD.script, SensorHUD.script and NoHUD.script (string-intel §3) — absent from both gobs and from the loose install. Since gobio has a NativeFileSystem fallback, these are most likely optional dev overrides for compiled-in HUD defaults. Consequence for reimplementation: screen layouts have to be recovered from code (Ghidra targets: the *Panel constructors and Mars::PanelManager), not from data.
  2. Debug overlays and dev toggles left in: DebugOverlay::StrategyMapScreen, DebugOverlay::BattleView; Lines.script DEBUG_UseSimpleLine / DEBUG_LockDestination / DEBUG_ForceOutOfRange / DEBUG_ReloadOnFleetChange (hot-reload of the line script); hotkeys UICSTR_TAC_FRAMERATE ("Toggle Framerate") and UICSTR_TAC_SINGLE_STEP; DemoApp and MutexScreen classes; ForceSingleCore ini key.
  3. Legacy / cut screens: OldGameSetupPanel; sprites BARBUTTON_OLDTRADE and BARBUTTON_OLDALLIANCE (pre-ANY trade & alliance buttons replaced by S11/S12); ChatHistoryPanel2, WeaponPanel2, CombatReportPanelEx (v2 rewrites kept beside v1); Scenario_Set_D/E.tga carry images for SCENARIO_KINGOFTHEHILL and SCENARIO_SLAVEMASTER which have no strings and no Scenarios/*.txt — cut scenarios; "Upstart Apes" is internally EARTHVSTARKAS; SUPPORT_REPAIR_AVAIL/REQ are empty strings.
  4. Localized gob carries UI art: Scenario_Set_C.tga (Holy Lands + Tutorial images), Tutorial/page9-11.tga and Data/credits.txt are only in sots_local_en.gob — a loader that only mounts sots.gob will miss sprites the table references.
  5. GameSpy is dead and the 2017 build knows it: MATCHINGSERVICE_UNSUPPORTED "Online support for Sword of the Stars is no longer available" + "players can still connect manually" — F12 degrades to LAN/manual IP; CD-key strings (NETERROR_CDKEY_*, STARTUPERROR_CDKEY_*) survive.
  6. Standalone dedicated server ships (sots_server.exe, Dedicated Server Launchpad.exe) with its own error vocabulary SERVERERROR_* (ini-section driven: map file, allowed species, defaults) — the strategy server is separable from the client UI, which is good news for a reimplementation split.
  7. Achievement/badge system predates Steam: 56 GUI/Achievements/*.tga, PlayerBadgeSet, PROFILEMAN_BADGES_*, badge sprites BADGE_*_GW100 — stored in the local profile.
  8. Sticky-note system: per-system player notes (PlayerNotePanel, StickyNoteElements.tga, "Added by: %s, Turn %s") that can be sent to other players via CommDeclareShareSystemNotes.
  9. Alien-language chat translation: ChatTranslation + Locale/EN/ChatTrans.txt; diplomacy is gated on translator tech (DIPSCREEN_NEEDTRANS).
  10. Easter eggs: MADE_UP_STRING = "Hang in there, Space Cowboy. You can play the game soon. Finish reading that manual."; SVSOEasterEgg/SVSOSimpleEasterEgg encounter scripts and an AI task AITKillEasterEgg; rebel-AI names Guardian/Chandra/Dillinger/Daystrom/Knight/Singularity/Dyson/Spengler.
  11. Key bindings are display-only in F4 (HOTKEYS_DISCLAIMER); remapping is by editing the profile ini.
  12. The lobby doubles as the MP waiting room between turns and for mid-game joiners — it is a persistent screen, not just a pre-game one.

6. Where to dig next (Ghidra hand-off)

  • Game::Screen / Game::ScreenBar::ToggleList — the screen switcher; find the enum behind BARBUTTON_* order.
  • Game::StrategyMapScreen ctor — instantiates most S-panels; cross-ref STATUSPANEL_MIN_WIDTH etc. from globals.txt to locate layout code.
  • Game::CombatScreen / CombatOverlay_* — check for the CombatHUD.script load path to confirm the compiled-default-plus-override theory.
  • SETurnEndPending → SNMEndTurn → SEProcessTurn → SNMDoEncounterQuery → SNMAllCombatDone → SNMResumePlaying — the turn state machine, already fully named by RTTI.