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Should we have a minimap at all?
Marzzo
Member, Leader of Men, Kickstarter, Alpha One
1. Should we have a minimap as well as a standard world map (by pressing M)
2. Should we only have a world map by pressing M?
What do you think?
2. Should we only have a world map by pressing M?
What do you think?
1
Comments
Minimap so I won't have to fully open the map if I want to have a quick look and the full map (M) for a more detailed and wider look.
For eg, the minimap could show a lot of detailed info for the area around your character, while the world map only gives a general idea of where nodes are being built and what stage they're at.
Meaning - at the start, no map. But the moment you begin to move and explore, you begin to record and have a map. Not like WoW where you have a outline tho. It is completely empty until you explored that region.
That's what Ashes is going to do as well, fog of war.
So like GW2?
The world of Verra features an in-game viewable world map. This map is not randomly generated, and begins covered in a fog of war.[4] Players will not be able to see the world until they have explored it or gathered information about it. The world is also full of imperfect information, which will require the player to act on it for verification.[5]
For example, you may hear a rumor in a tavern that tells you the location of a cave full of weak Kobolds, but this was not accurate as the rumor was started by well-equipped bandits in order to waylay overconfident adventurers.[5]
When information is gathered, or the player has successfully explored an area, points of interest are marked on the map.[6]
These points of interest are determined by Node progression; and not every server will share the same map, as player decisions will vary server to server.[6]
In addition to node progression being a factor on map generation, zones in Ashes of Creation will cater to all levels.[7]
The map will have geographical choke points (such as Mountains) that are not traversable by players.[8]
Even though we're an open-world that doesn't mean that from a design perspective, especially with the way our economic systems work, that we will want to create Geographic choke points.[8] – Steven Sharif
This is from the Wiki. It sounds good what they have planned. I would like a minimap too btw.
while the basic world map can be charted out I'm going to assume your world map will never be 100% accurate if Stevens vision is met. Nodes will level and de level so that level 3 node you ran passed through a few months back might be a village again or it could be a metropolis.
Very basic info, like player direction icon, group member dots, general quest market (just pointing the general area).
I dont want a detailed minimap to entrap me, like all games use now (all mmorpgs, batman witcher rdd2 gta.........).
It looks like we have both the minimap and the world map in the screenshots.
As to if we should? I always thought it did not make a lot of sense. It is like everyone magically has a GPS implant in their head. Realistically you would have to pay attention to your surroundings, and navigate from memory. It is such a expected thing in MMOs that I don't see any reason to fight it. It is one of those little things that I could see people loosing their minds over not being in the game.
If I had more time, I would write a shorter post.
Old-school EQ had no maps whatsoever, except for the maps on allakhazam all drawn by one dude lol
Maybe master gatherers would be able to spot profession-relevant resources on it, but I hate minimap bloat. It eats on performance like nothing else.
Get out!
If I had more time, I would write a shorter post.
I agree.
Also don't forget about the Scribe Craft. How the heck is that going to work??? Will they just be limited to recipes and such or will they also be cartographers? Maybe you will get a generalized map of outdoor areas but if you want to go into a dungeon, you will have to purchase a map to get the mini-map to work (of course that begs the question.....does the Scribe have to go into a place first before they can map and sell it themselves?)
https://ashesofcreation.wiki/Scribes
I did not even know scribe was a thing until you said it. Looks kinda cool.
I don't think we will be dealing with cartography. I did not see it on the wiki. I think it is just going to be fog of war. Which is a fair way to handle things.
If I had more time, I would write a shorter post.
2. Player made maps would be nice