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[Surf]

Basically, the thread title says all. I was quite surprised, even shocked when I came to edit the said graphics for the Automap function on my own game (eg - here:) - the famous "MAP" button!



(it's using exactly the same files as this here:)





and basically everyone said they'd never use the map feauture. Now, let's use this thread for the WHY - why is this feauture underdeveloped, what is lacking, what is missing, what can be improved upon?  I guess this is something every total conversion can learn from, hence I created a single topic for it. Even all to you non-modders - post your opinions here, what was bad about the map function, suggestions and so on. Experienced, as even new players are welcome to contribute - to make this button useful! Each and every interface mod I checked didn't even have this button in. Why? Tell me why no one uses it, tell me what is missing there, what is bad to handle, what can be improved upon. Thanks!

I guess the fact it is using some very abstract perspective to display buildings and such comes in handy. THe fact that you don't gain any advantage using the map feauture?

[T-888]

The fact that you don't gain any advantage using the map feauture ?

Mhm , it's just very easy to oversee the environment without using the map and in much more detail.

[Surf]

Mhm , it's just very easy to oversee the environment without using the map and in much more detail.

Exactly, shouldn't this feauture be some advancment from the usual LoS? No matter if it is a singleplayer or multiplayergame, a feauture should never be useless. Where could be some improvments made? Maybe, this feauture for 2238 could be that it provides a slight higher "LoS" than the normal view? Maybe it could be easier to detect people, etc?

[Swag]

I've never really used it (I know all the maps by this point) but maybe it could show friends/enemies as red and blue dots or something? Like players that you've tagged either friend or enemy? That is if it doesn't already do that and if it isn't a total pain to implement.

[bigblackmama]

Maybe add some marks. Like barmen/barber/doctor/teacher. But only if newbie ask npc about this. Or if you been there before. I know some people now all this places good, but we all been newbies
Look at ya map newbie!

[Shonsu]

Maybe add some marks. Like barmen/barber/doctor/teacher. But only if newbie ask npc about this. Or if you been there before. I know some people now all this places good, but we all been newbies
Look at ya map newbie!

This would be good. Or even just dots for every npc that has conversaton options.

[Nexxos]

Updated my jour. Updated my jour. Updated my jour!

The automap feature isn't used, because you have infinite FoV for map purposes already anyways. In FOnline-games, the automap should have some kind of a motion scanner installed as default, which would give you some kind of a look from behind the walls and what's happening there.

Personally, I could see lots of new uses for automap+motion scanner feature as a combat class even, if there would be some kind of a perk (for high-PE scouts with lots of outdoorsman-knowledge only) which would increase the effectiveness of your motion scanner greatly. Then we would have atleast one scout in the team, looking at his map when he's not fighting.

Maybe add some marks. Like barmen/barber/doctor/teacher. But only if newbie ask npc about this. Or if you been there before. I know some people now all this places good, but we all been newbies
Look at ya map newbie!

This sounds good, being able to "mark" positions in your map, just like in here. New players (who somehow are rather unexperienced with FO1/2) would be able to mark shop vendors, doctors and other kinds of places worth noting.

[Simon]

I used to use the map and still do sometimes in some places with lots of buildings on a large map, I get confused sometimes if I havn't been there for a while. The map makes it quite easy to navigate around and see where your current posistion is. I also like how it gives the top down perspective of the map and the simple lines and dots look nice to me for some reason.
Some new features to the map to make it more useful would be nice.

[avv]

Maybe add some marks. Like barmen/barber/doctor/teacher. But only if newbie ask npc about this. Or if you been there before. I know some people now all this places good, but we all been newbies
Look at ya map newbie!

This would be the best way to put it in use, but not necessary. Otherwise the gameplay is so centered around the general overview that map is hardly needed.

[kraskish]

I wonder how this new UI would work with a sensor module lol.


This map would be useful if it had the names of the areas or buildings, like BANK, shop, peculiar npcs, etc.

[Rascal_]

no scanning thru walls shit omfg its gone be totally abused in pvp... it would make sneakers totally useless

the smart way to improve that "feature" (that wasnt even used in f1 f2 btw) is to add taggs on map like someone wrote above (barber/doctor etc.) its gona be usefull for newcomers. 2nd option is to use map feature for quests - 4 example dude X gives u a quest and mark on ur map position where guy Y is (who u need to kill/ talk to /steal from etc.) or also a position of some hidden entrance/ ladder/ cave entrace ...

[Johnnybravo]

I see no point of map being there, unless it allows playing in ASCII represented space like nethack :d.
No really,  I don't think it was ever useful until it's well readable and new maps complex enough. Otherwise it's just map of a map (since game is isometric projection).
IDK if you're looking for useful maps in isometric games, I think the infinity engine games had it as decent feature, because map was very well readable and maps actually huge.

[Michaelh139]

Well, you could always make a minimap out of it, where it also shows characters (as others already mentioned) and there was a key to press where you could make it appear and disappear for pvp/map navigation necessities.
I've been wanting a minimap for some time now already but I debated whether it would be good for fonline in general...


Other than that, I really can't think of anything.

[Stration]

Tell me why no one uses it

Also, opening the map screen makes the main screen inactive, which means you can't really use it in combat or ANYWHERE, even if you want to.

[Berko]

I also believe that additional information will display the Automap interresting but also require more work. Have all the information at the beginning may not be appropriate. Talk to a beggar at the entrance of the city should be able to unlock a majority of the points of information in city we are. Start a quest where you must go to this specific location in a city should also be displayed if accepted. Our own ability to mark points on the map, ability to filter the information (important place; quest; custom mark; ...). And .. why not interaction with these mark. You click on a quest mark to go at your quest journal to see where you are in the quest and what you have to do, when you click on a barber it just show you a short description, when you click on a custom mark you see what you write when you do the mark.