I don't have the game. But if everything you say is true, I would say excellent post and points. The Command Room should be more interactive now than ever! Working and readable gauges for the 4th iteration in the series is a must! You would think it would be a given.
Even though I, as I said, I don't have the game, I just really like your post. And, although they supposedly read this board, I would like to recommend that you also post this on the Ubi SHIV forum. Just copt and paste, but perhaps change the title slightly to like...
Control Room (Non)Interaction.
Anyway, overall

post Rykaird!
EDIT - If you don't want to post this on the Ubi forum I would like to ask your permission to do so. May I?