Frustration getting started - can't figure out how to build a warehouse

[magritte]

So I'm supposed to build a warehouse but I just get this ghostly thing that says I'm in blueprint mode and that the construction area is blocked but it's not. Plus when I try to build the warehouse in a different place, I just get a second blueprint. It doesn't matter where I build it everywhere is blocked.

Also, is there really no way to pause the game without leaving the settlement? I'd like to be able to stop and think about what I'm doing before I place buildings and roads.

[Tankfriend]

Originally posted by magritte:

So I'm supposed to build a warehouse but I just get this ghostly thing that says I'm in blueprint mode and that the construction area is blocked but it's not. Plus when I try to build the warehouse in a different place, I just get a second blueprint. It doesn't matter where I build it everywhere is blocked.

If you don't have the ressources to build something, the building is put down as a blueprint by default. You can also intentionally place blueprints for planning out your future development.
Blueprint mode can be switched either through the gameplay options menu or via the two house icons at the lower right corner of the build menu.

Also, is there really no way to pause the game without leaving the settlement? I'd like to be able to stop and think about what I'm doing before I place buildings and roads.

Anno does not have an active pause. Closest thing to it is reducing game speed to minimum.

[freelancer909]

Easy Grass Hopper. With time all will become clear. But you need timber. Like Tankfriend said if you dont have the material the building will build to blue print.

[magritte]

Thanks for explaining what happened. I wish you would get a message telling you that you don't have enough resources, would you like to place a blueprint instead? Particularly because when I had the resources, I needed to delete my blueprint in order to build the structure. The interface of the game is really quite weird in some ways. Picking up the prisoners from the sea is quite awkward, for example.

And I'm very disappointed that there's no way to pause the game. Even if you can't build anything, I want to be able to look around and see where things are and plan without worrying about time ticking away. Is the game intended to be played as a frantic clickfest?
It reminds me of Frostpunk, which is making me very anxious about wasting time.

[TheBird]

Originally posted by magritte:

Particularly because when I had the resources, I needed to delete my blueprint in order to build the structure.

If you click on the blueprint there is a button in the menu that comes up on the lower right to build the structure. You can also use the upgrade button ("U" by default I think) and click on the blueprint.

You can turn off the A.I. players if you want a calmer game.

[Boogaboo]

Watch these https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL62qv03TjhLsdVEzH_INbioOPm8BN54JJ