MoneyMiner 1.3.0.5 Update

MoneyMiner - The Graphics Update

There are a ton of changes here, mostly visual. The first and foremost, is that there are no more 'message boxes' anywhere! I built new windows for each function of the UI, and fully incorporated them into the base of the game. 

The Miners have changed a bit as well - they have colored icons to go with their progress bars and colored buttons, which further help to break up the monotony of simple color on screen. Even though it's hard to see, I put a great deal of work into going through the code and ensuring that colors were being set consistently, windows were opening when and where they were supposed to, buttons rendered properly and with the correct information, etc.

The central button, btnMine, has finally gotten the transparency it deserved all along. I tried doing it a few times before, but for some reason it just wouldn't render properly - until I figured out (thanks  internet) that it needed to exist as a child of the image behind it. Once I set it that way, and it knew to reference the picture behind it for image information, it worked (almost) perfectly! I had to iron out a few dynamic location issues, but not a huge deal. The funny part is, now that it's transparent, I don't think I want it anymore. I'm debating removing the button altogether, and having the same process registered by clicking the picture, and maybe I can have a smaller pickaxe appear and swing where the mouse is at, releasing money amounts that float up from anywhere. That could also lead to some interesting mechanics if I add in extras later, like bonuses or similar, or even some sort of minigame.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this project, and the more I do, the more I want to.  That being said however, I do have trouble sometimes with coming up with ideas for improvements and new features/game mechanics, and I'd love to hear some! I'd also like to hear ideas on what kind of upgrade multipliers/prices would be best for balance, whether or not the unlock multipliers are set right, or if they should be higher/lower, whether cost multipliers on miners is set at a comfortable place or not, etc. I'm still learning about game design/game theory, and I'm learning by doing it, so the more information I can get the better!

Thanks for your interest, your time, and for reading! Have fun mining!