That's sounds stupid to me, no-one was complaining, I'm all for improvement, but it seems unnecessary and excessive

On the contrary, I think a fully 3D map would be far TOO useful. Like I said, it is the equivalent of being able to fly around the world in a helicopter whenever you please.

I don't think you are interpreting that quote the way it was meant to be interpreted... My understanding is that when you access the map, the view will angle downwards until you are looking straight down, then the view will rapidly zoom out until you are looking at [a portion of] the map, hopefully in color, but since you're looking straight down, it's a standard 2D satellite-style image (probably static). I don't think they're actually changing the map system at all, just how you go from the inventory menu to the map screen.

As for those mountains, I think they're probably either a screenshot taken directly from gameplay, or a still from the opening cinematic (which would still technically qualify as a screenshot I think). If you're right I think it could be cool, but honestly I think I prefer a more simple/traditional approach. Adding more dimensions and angles and such will probably require extra processing power, not to mention extra time to get to where you want to go... At least that's the way I see it.

Yeah but I don't think their only goal was to make a game that just fixed the complaints people had about oblivion. they always like to try new things and add different elements in all their games. i for one am very curious to see how this turns out and hope that it makes it way better than the crappy map of cyrodiil



You could be right. It doesn't specifically said that it's 3d. It just says it appears as a huge topographical map, which are traditionally 2d. It says you can "pass towering mountain peaks" which is most of what are leading people to believe that its 3d but it could just as easily be a 2d map with a realtime image of skyrim superimposed on it to show the topography. At this moment, I guess we don't really know.

Maybe so, D4rk One. But this part in particular "You can explore the map at your leisure, passing the towering mountain peaks, forests, cities, and tundra." really seems to indicate a three dimensional map. Particularly the words "passing" and, to a lesser extent: "exploring".

Or perhaps I'm reading way too far into this.

I just hope it isn't too graphics intensive, it sounds like it would be annoying at best, sounds like a good idea for the start menu or something

Of course they aren't just going to fix complaints, but there is such a thing as over embellishment, so I hope they don't add on too many features with no important use

I can see how you could make that case, but personally I think it's just GI being a bit liberal with their descriptions. I mean, you could technically use that description for Oblivion's map as well; you'd be playing it up a lot of course but I don't think any advertising agency would fault you for it — in fact they'd probably do it too. And ultimately the GI article is just an ad...

Sounds a little like google earth/maps, or maybe I am completely confused. Maybe they will have a 'Street view' mode

But to all the doom mongers who say they do not like it, at least wait untill you have SEEN it in ACTION before whinging that they have 'broken' The Elders Scrolls. :poke:

I now realise that the image of the mountains is at a much lower angle than I thought previously. That doesn't really help my map theory, unless you can rotate the camera in any way you please. There's still the mystery of why this screen-shot looks so much better than all the others... in-game cinematic? Maybe, but my conversation with the dev in the thread I linked in the OP leads me to believe otherwise. I hardly think I'd need to change my undies because of a cut-scene

Looking down for maximum zoom and looking forward for minimum zoom makes sense to me. It's a good way to open a map I guess, but BGS should take a look at Arma2's map, with the normal pan, and more importantly mouse wheel zooming, on the *whole* world map.

That's called playing the game

Hmmm, a static render, but possibly updated as you discover new locations, etc.? i.e., superimposed images/renders of locations/areas on the map. That would be great.

Also, a fully interactive map that would give details upon mousing over a location - basic history, perhaps current events, quests, something like that? I doubt they've paid THAT much attention to detail with the map, but here's hoping.

I don't think that comment in question was specifically referring to the map. I don't even think it was implied... It seemed to me like he was replying more to Silvade, who was wondering how good the game will look on 360 (and whether the magazine screens came from the console), to which the dev replied that while he couldn't get into that subject, but that the game will [look good enough on consoles to] make the player lose control of his bodily functions.

It seemed to me like the whole "when it drops, you'll need a change of pants" comment was directed at people worried about the game's appearance/performance on consoles, and that it therefore had nothing to do with the map. Maybe you should ask the developer who wrote that post though.

That would be a good map plus you could have your quests and what not on it like Arma 2's map where it would show mission and briefs.

I'm officially confused as hell.

Oh it'll be a 3D map, but it wont be the same model that u use for terrain, it will be another identicle model of terrain made for the map, and as you zoom out it changes to that model.

So like the war of the ring map from lotr bfme 2?

Eh, I'd prefer a scroll to a 3D, more realistic :/

Well whatI'm worried about is the time. You wouldn't be able to snap in and out of the menus in an instant. You'd have to sit through an animation each time. Ugh... That would get old SO fast. And what if you go from inventory to map? You have to close up your backpack and then look down and zoom out. One positive aspect: for this to be immersive as they imply, it means we'll be able to see our feet.

Ok. From what I'm gathering, there's no button to access your inventory and such, but rather you look in a certain direction and it pops up?

Well, that just seems problematic. Imagine trying to fight a dragon, but every time you look up for a certain amount of time, you access that "constellation" menu thing.

This all sounds cool in theory, yes, but in practicality it sounds more like a burden than a benefit. Especially with the animations happening over and over again. I'm already seeing people making mods on the first day to bypass this stuff.

Needless to say, I'm confused as all hell now. I hope there's an update soon that clarifies this.

EDIT: Disregard the marked out text above, but regard the lines that remain.

The animations will probably be quick and painless. And I think the constellation-skills thing is pretty kewl11!

Yeah I suppose but I don't really see how thats different than having to shuffle through countless tabs of menus just to get what I want. I think at least the animated one seems more organized and easier to interact with as opposed to oblivion. Plus I appreciate them bringing something completely new to the table instead of retexturing their old designs and slapping the Skyrim name on it.