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In-game map discussion
With the focus on immersion and the whole "make mmo's great again" mindset. I personally think it would be interesting to take a look at the in-game map and trying to do something more with it. I feel that many MMOs often offer to much information with the maps in game and it often kills that immersion and doesn't encourage players to go out and explore as much.
Having a crafting profession like a cartographer could be interesting, and is something that I have yet to really see in other games. What are your thoughts on this minor, but important feature of an MMO.
Having a crafting profession like a cartographer could be interesting, and is something that I have yet to really see in other games. What are your thoughts on this minor, but important feature of an MMO.
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The thought about the maps purchased by a player automatically updating as the cartographer that sold them the map updated their copy was discussed.
On the other side of that was the theory that if the game plays the way IS believes it should/will, then maps will need to be updated frequently even if a player mapped the majority of the world. Therefore, the players should be responsible for buying/obtaining new maps.
I think a cartographer skill would be cool as long as it was not a constant thing. So if you were out running around with your friends your skill wouldn't be getting better just because you are out and about. Otherwise it's like Athletics/Speech in older RPG's, no one ever really practices them but they are always one of the better skills.
I think it should be less about skill and more ability quality and rarity. There are crude maps, then there are detailed maps. Also a map isn't going to magically show you your location...unless, there is magic involved of course lol.
The problem is that for many people there aren't enough details for them to memorize.
We know from PAX that there will be a mini-map.
How that map is integrated and how it functions I don't know ^^
Im not very good with directions ^^
x.x
I don't think players should be able to sell maps, otherwise that experience will be lost on potential new players several months (crossing fingers, years) in.
However, if the skill allowed you to unveil a greater radius on your map as you traveled and eventually start filling in some detail for free, like a monster cave everyone else would have to walk close enough to activate, that would be cool.
On start no one will see nothing, but very quickly people will learn maps and after exploring terrain they will still have everything shown, so cartography just delays the inevitable.
Or do you suggest cartography to only be able to draw rudimentary maps, without any detailed information? And also without "GPS" mark to show where in the map you currently are while you are looking at it?
But, I'm an Explorer 87%; Socializer 73% ; Achiever 47%; Killer 0%
I would probably be seeking some way to make the sea less dangerous for me to explore, regardless of whether there is a bridge
If you aren't primarily an Explorer, I suppose you'll try to find ways to skip exploring.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
In fact, you should never see the map ever, any kind of map. And there should be no way to "uncover it".
Perhaps with cartography, you could draw sketches on piece of paper then look at that piece of paper, and try to determine where you are by looking and mountains and rivers around you.
For realism, this is the most you should have.
Anything above that, eliminates realism, and then, when realism is out of the window, anything goes really.
No map could be interesting, guess I will get out the old compass and protractor if this comes to pass. It would be nice if we had an in game compass at least though.
Im a simple man with simple needs.
We want players to actively travel, and not travel while AFK. \o/
I'm talking being able to mark the map with more than one mark. Do you can set up strategy, point out multiple places. Or just mark where a caravan is as well as where it's headed. Stuff like that.
But you're also deluded if you don't think AFK running won't be a part of a game with minimal fast travel...
As long as we don't have guided AFK travel.
The one thing I can do without though is the radar or active mini map so many games have started to use.
thanks for the heads up.
As one explores more the map gets more detailed ranging from largest visible objects down to smallest. If possible a "Compare map with..." trade type mechanic would be a way to trade details with each other, maybe even sell map details to each other.
It's too much info to go into detail here.
However, there should be some parts of the world that the map details should be restricted to LOW, where that due to some magical enchantment of the area, it's not possible for anything to create any detailed map of the area.
Other areas of the world (outside settled and known areas) can be created at a lower more detailed level. However, this should take time, and require the player to be in the area multiple times for a good amount of time before higher tiered clarity on their map will show up.
The world needs to KEEP ITS SECRETS too. It means that all areas of the world are subject to change, as well, if you haven't been in a previously mapped part of the world after some amount of time, you will lose the level of detail/clarity of your map and the tier of the map will suffer.
Traversing the world should be difficult, dangerous and without any easy map or path for the player to follow.
Too many games just give up the game world so easily, having 80% of it mapped out and uncover-able within a few days of adventuring about.
It needs to be 80% in the other direction. 80% of the world unknown and difficult and time-consuming to map and subject to change.
Would be very cool!