Compass? Minimap? Or something else?

Post » Tue May 10, 2011 4:06 am

Game Informer Article - http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/28/skyrim-menu-system-overhaul.aspx

"Pressing down in the compass menu pulls the camera perspective backward to reveal a huge topographical map of Skyrim. Here players can zoom around to explore the mountain peaks, valley streams, and snowy tundras that populate the northern lands. Pulling the camera as far away as possible gives you a great respect for the size of the game world. From the map view players can manage quest icons, plan their travel route, or access fast travel."

I'm sure many of you already read this article but I didn't see a link to it in this thread so I figured I'd add it. I would like to be able to toggle quest map markers on or off in a map options menu. This way, if you want to explore and try to find quest locations yourself, you can but if you are getting frustrated and want some help getting to a certain quest location, you can just change the options to complete the quest and then turn it off again to go back to ambling through the countryside. This way everyone's happy. You can have this option on if you want...or off, it's up to you.

Aside from map markers for the actual quests, I think that places you discover or that NPCs have marked on your map should show up on the main map as you find them and then remain there permanently, as was done in previous TES games. Also, the map should be virtually empty at the start of the game and grow as you discover more places. In OB I'm not sure that I liked that towns I hadn't even visited yet were already on my map. I'd like to have the option to either explore the land to find a town or village OR purchase directions from a merchant to that town/village and then have it appear on my map. NPCs should offer to mark places on your map only if the location is still undiscovered, and you should have the option to decline the map marker so you can still try to find it on your own.

When you reach a town and are uncovering the specific buildings in that town on the map, I don't think you should be given detailed map labels of who owns NPC homes, or shops/guilds, etc. until you actually go and speak with someone in the place, introduce yourself and get their name. Then, the map label would be applied to the respective building on the map. In the case of shops, you should have to physically read the shop sign to get the map label. I also think it would be cool to be able to purchase a town map from a merchant and then after you read it, the town map disappears and gets incorporated into your main map, showing all homes, shops, guilds, temples, churches, etc. for that town along with labels, since a cartographer would have already visited the town and mapped out its layout.

It would be cool for the map zooming to work on levels, like all the way zoomed out shows all of Skyrim and surrounding area (which is already being done, I know) and then zooming in lets you zoom into map quadrants and further along you can zoom right into a town and see what parts of it you've discovered. Similar to OB except that instead of World Map and Local Map being on two pages, there is only one map.

In a nutshell, I'm just looking for more realism when it comes to exploring. This world should be completely unknown to me at the start.
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Love iz not
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 9:44 am

without the pin pointer i probably wouldnt be able to find anything in skyrim

But if its gone i could use a minimap but having the placable marker will be good if it shows which way it is so it works the same way it did in oblivion
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Kelly John
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 12:07 pm



In a nutshell, I'm just looking for more realism when it comes to exploring. This world should be completely unknown to me at the start.

I agree. I'd like a fog to be everywhere on that overworld map, so that when I'm looking around I can't see many details except the general locations of tall mountains that reach high enough through the fog so that I can see them.
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Anthony Santillan
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 12:16 am

In Morrowind, we had a pretty useless minimap that only really helped by letting us know what direction we are going.
In Oblivion, we had a compass that pointed us to exactly where all our mission objectives were, effectively removing the exploration aspect from the game entirely.

What about Skyrim? Do we have any clue what kind of navigation system we will have access to? We know that the game-pause map will be a real overhead view of Skyrim. What about the normal navigation?

Will we see a return of Morrowind's minimap, perhaps in a more useful form?
Or something more like Oblivion's compass?

Or maybe something we haven't seen before in an Elder Scrolls game?


Discuss.


I don't particularly know what it is gonna be in skyrim, but I feel it is important that we stop calling searching or tracking, for exploring. Exploring is something you do when you do not have a specific goal or place to find. Exploring is when you have no direction and simply walk to find out whats around the next corner. Oblivion system of pointing to all mission objectives, is not removing all exploration from the game, because searching for a mission objective is not exploring.
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Cameron Garrod
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 4:53 am

I agree. I'd like a fog to be everywhere on that overworld map, so that when I'm looking around I can't see many details except the general locations of tall mountains that reach high enough through the fog so that I can see them.



Well then, what would the point of a MAP be? If your entire map is covered up, and you are unable to view it, your map is pointless, and you no longer need it. I doubt that Bethesda would do this, (or at the very least, I hope they don't do this...). I am also assuming that when you first start the game, first look at your map, etc... you should be able to see major cities, and possibly smaller settlements, as I assume from the GI article, that it will be similar to a "sattelite view" or something, where you can see everything on the map, and if you can't see something such as a major settlement/ city, I don't believe it would make sense. Even in OB you could see most of the major towns and such when you first opened your map (or at least, Im pretty sure you could, I havent played OB in a few months...).
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ShOrty
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 2:59 pm

Well then, what would the point of a MAP be? If your entire map is covered up, and you are unable to view it, your map is pointless, and you no longer need it. I doubt that Bethesda would do this, (or at the very least, I hope they don't do this...). I am also assuming that when you first start the game, first look at your map, etc... you should be able to see major cities, and possibly smaller settlements, as I assume from the GI article, that it will be similar to a "sattelite view" or something, where you can see everything on the map, and if you can't see something such as a major settlement/ city, I don't believe it would make sense. Even in OB you could see most of the major towns and such when you first opened your map (or at least, Im pretty sure you could, I havent played OB in a few months...).

I think you misunderstand me. If you look at the context of what I was saying, I was clearly responding to someone else saying that they don't want the entire map shown RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME.

Obviously the fog would disappear as you explore.
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Stephani Silva
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 11:23 am

I think you misunderstand me. If you look at the context of what I was saying, I was clearly responding to someone else saying that they don't want the entire map shown RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME.

Obviously the fog would disappear as you explore.


That's exactly what I meant. There should be a fog at the very start of the game which gets uncovered on the map as you explore / search / track / find / travel / go to / get mission objectives / run forward while rubbing your belly with your left hand, touching your nose with your right, and spinning in a circle / or whatever other way you want to get to where your going. The map would start off sparse, but grow as you discover more of the land.

Also, let me say that I'll be happy with whatever map/menu system BGS employs into this game.

I also feel it is more realistic that a location only appear on the map if the PC has found it or been told about it in conversation or found it on an in-game map or something. This would add more meaning to asking someone for directions, or finding those filler guides to places strewn around the world.
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(G-yen)
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 4:30 pm

Game Informer Article - http://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/28/skyrim-menu-system-overhaul.aspx

[i][b]"Pressing down in the compass menu

Compass menu? We've always had the map menu that's part of the journal but what's this about compass menu?
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Gisela Amaya
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 11:01 am

Compass menu? We've always had the map menu that's part of the journal but what's this about compass menu?


Compass menu = the thing you have BEFORE you get to any interface. Like press left in the "compass menu" and see your spells.
Compass menu has nothing to do with the compass itself. They call it a compass menu because you can press something in four different directions, the same directions as a compass.
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Jonathan Montero
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 12:42 am

Compass menu = the thing you have BEFORE you get to any interface. Like press left in the "compass menu" and see your spells.
Compass menu has nothing to do with the compass itself. They call it a compass menu because you can press something in four different directions, the same directions as a compass.

Ah, this makes sense. I was confused as well.
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CRuzIta LUVz grlz
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 4:15 pm

Compass menu = the thing you have BEFORE you get to any interface. Like press left in the "compass menu" and see your spells.
Compass menu has nothing to do with the compass itself. They call it a compass menu because you can press something in four different directions, the same directions as a compass.


This :)

Sorry, my bad, I should have clarified that I was pasting only a snippet of the whole article pertaining only to this discussion thread.
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Andrew
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 1:24 pm

I want a radar system that tells me where every thing is (items, NPCs) I want it to have elevation (3D lazors), tells the kind of item or NPC, its level and what its wearing and what it ate for breakfast, I want it to tell me if its too tough to kill, how much health it has how much gold is on him...etc

I want a lazer path that shots out from my eyes and tells me where to go (like deadspace) only you can't turn it off, I WANT EVERYTHING to have a pop up menu with voice over that tells me exactly what I'm looking at, example: I see a tree a menu pops up and tells me THIS IS A TREE IT HAS LEAFS AND THEY ARE GREEN.

I don't want surprises I just want every thing to level with me even rats will be wearing deadeic armor at level 50, I don't want a good story I just ant to kill stuff and be a hero and everyone says I'm so awesome.

also a motion detector like in the alien movie which tells me if anything is moving about, and a BFG weapon so that I can pwn dragons and they go boom
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Rachell Katherine
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 6:14 am

Compass menu = the thing you have BEFORE you get to any interface. Like press left in the "compass menu" and see your spells.
Compass menu has nothing to do with the compass itself. They call it a compass menu because you can press something in four different directions, the same directions as a compass.

Ok thanks makes sense now. So down is for the map and then left, up, right will consist of spells, inventory and skills?

Also, do you press circle (ps3) and it brings up the journal and from there you press any four directions on the dpad to cycle through those different menus or is the journal menu all tied to the dpad?
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Nikki Lawrence
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 5:16 pm

I want a radar system that tells me where every thing is (items, NPCs) I want it to have elevation (3D lazors), tells the kind of item or NPC, its level and what its wearing and what it ate for breakfast, I want it to tell me if its too tough to kill, how much health it has how much gold is on him...etc

I want a lazer path that shots out from my eyes and tells me where to go (like deadspace) only you can't turn it off, I WANT EVERYTHING to have a pop up menu with voice over that tells me exactly what I'm looking at, example: I see a tree a menu pops up and tells me THIS IS A TREE IT HAS LEAFS AND THEY ARE GREEN.

I don't want surprises I just want every thing to level with me even rats will be wearing deadeic armor at level 50, I don't want a good story I just ant to kill stuff and be a hero and everyone says I'm so awesome.

also a motion detector like in the alien movie which tells me if anything is moving about, and a BFG weapon so that I can pwn dragons and they go boom


You can always mod that stuff in.
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Philip Rua
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 10:17 am

Ok thanks makes sense now. So down is for the map and then left, up, right will consist of spells, inventory and skills?

Also, do you press circle (ps3) and it brings up the journal and from there you press any four directions on the dpad to cycle through those different menus or is the journal menu all tied to the dpad?

Up's gonna be the skills, actually. You'll look up at the stars and see information about your skills based on the brightness of certain nebula and constellations. Pretty creative, IMO.

http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/draft_lens17711761module148692210photo_1299338073Skyrim_Skills_Menu.jpg
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Rude Gurl
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 7:50 am

You can always mod that stuff in.



I was being sarcastic :facepalm:
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Steve Smith
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 7:18 am

I know
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Elizabeth Davis
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 2:25 pm

Also, do you press circle (ps3) and it brings up the journal and from there you press any four directions on the dpad to cycle through those different menus or is the journal menu all tied to the dpad?

No idea, but I'm guessing that it's going to be easy and fast to go to the different menus. Not sure if the journal is going to be before the "compass menu". I think journal will be related to the map (bottom) compass menu-direction, or be completely independent.
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Eire Charlotta
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 9:55 am

No idea, but I'm guessing that it's going to be easy and fast to go to the different menus. Not sure if the journal is going to be before the "compass menu". I think journal will be related to the map (bottom) compass menu-direction, or be completely independent.

Yea it probably makes more sense to have the menu tied to the dpad and then you can cycle to different things when in a certain menu. Like down on dpad for map/compass and once in that menu there will be different tabs for quests and city/dungeons maps.

It sounds faster and more streamlined on paper than the older system but this also eliminated the hotkey dpad system on the consoles. I just got Two World 2 the other day and I like how you can assign different equipment sets to the dpad. I press up for my Warrior build, right for Mage, and left for Ranger.

I read something about a favorites menu for Skyrim where you can group multiple items into slots to swap to in the fly but if the dpad is tied to the menu then we'll have to press a button to get into the favorites menu. I wonder if that's final or they will figure out a way to eliminate having to press a button to get to the favorites menu?
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Greg Cavaliere
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 4:11 pm

In a nutshell, I'm just looking for more realism when it comes to exploring. This world should be completely unknown to me at the start.



Depends on your character background, really. If an OB character is a citizen of Tamriel, I'd think they'd know what the major cities are and where to find them. So, unless the character is a newcomer to Skyrim (or illiterate, or a backwoods hick from some tiny village, or whatever), I could see them knowing a few major landmarks. Anything else wouldn't be "realistic". :D
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XPidgex Jefferson
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 2:04 pm

I want a radar system that tells me where every thing is ... I want it to tell me if its too tough to kill, how much health it has how much gold is on him...etc

I want a lazer path that shots out from my eyes and tells me where to go (like deadspace) only you can't turn it off, I WANT EVERYTHING to have a pop up menu.

I don't want surprises I just want every thing to level with me even rats will be wearing deadeic armor at level 50, I don't want a good story I just ant to kill stuff and be a hero and everyone says I'm so awesome.



I'd suggest you to play Oblivion than =D


Back on the topic,I'd like a compass,that you can hold in your hand,and even leave at home if you want.If you have it with you,you can take it out with a hotkey or a compass button,and walk looking at it.While it's out,you can run or jump,but to engage in combat you have to put it back in your pocket and draw your weapon instead.
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Angelina Mayo
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 9:10 am

Depends on your character background, really. If an OB character is a citizen of Tamriel, I'd think they'd know what the major cities are and where to find them. So, unless the character is a newcomer to Skyrim (or illiterate, or a backwoods hick from some tiny village, or whatever), I could see them knowing a few major landmarks. Anything else wouldn't be "realistic". :D


What you say makes sense. I was looking at it from a role-play point of view where you start out not knowing too much, and discover it as you go along. Either way, I can't wait to see if/how all this new tech BGS has created/bought enhances the game.

It's funny how we all have varying opinions on this stuff and what we feel should be included. I wonder how many arguments the Skyrim team got into in their meetings over whose opinions on realism they would use. Probably more than a few, LOL.
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Alexxxxxx
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 3:34 pm

Probably a few most of them ending in headlocks with someone yelling " you're ruining my immersion"! :banghead:
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priscillaaa
 
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Post » Tue May 10, 2011 5:40 am

I'd suggest you to play Oblivion than =D


Back on the topic,I'd like a compass,that you can hold in your hand,and even leave at home if you want.If you have it with you,you can take it out with a hotkey or a compass button,and walk looking at it.While it's out,you can run or jump,but to engage in combat you have to put it back in your pocket and draw your weapon instead.



lol

I just hope that opening the inventory or drinking potions does not pause the game :P
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Lawrence Armijo
 
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