I believe the mountain image on page 48 is what the in-game map will look like. It seems likely given the description of the map, and a developer has confirmed that the image is in-game.

Read through this for proof (sort of...) that the image in question is in-game.
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1158209-game-informer-owes-us-two-more-screenshots/page__st__40

From the article: "Finally, press down on the menu, and it's as if your character is looking down to the ground. As he looks earthward, the first person view begins to pan far back. Skyrim's map appears as a huge topographical display viewed from an improbably height. You can explore the map at your leisure, passing the towering mountain peaks, forests, cities, and tundra."

I doubt it. That image doesn't look like a map.

Not a conventional one, no. Have you read the description of the in-game map in the article?

Please elaborate on what the map looks like?



And by the way if those mountains were in game and looked that good on console IN GAME (playing on a PS3 because I'm poor :sadvaultboy: ) then I'm officially creating an award and becoming a Bethesda really devoted fan for life.....

I wish we were able to change the map from a conventional drawing to physical and back. That would be awesome.

Updated OP. I'm pretty sure I'm right about this.

The map is going to be a fallout style grid obviously.

I'd be fine with that. I just hope the map is big though.

I think he was kidding. Why aren't you fools excited about this? The map is going to be three dimensional and cool and awesome and cool!

Yeah he was I think but I approve the idea!

You approve of the map being a green tinted computerized looking satellite image? <_<

Press down on the menu and its if your character is looking down to the ground? What? Map is displayed from an improbable height? Doesn't make sense?

You look down, the camera goes waaaaaaay up, and presumably, you can zoom around a very realistic looking three dimensional render of Skyrim. See page 48 of the magazine for an example of what this might look like.

At least, that's my theory.

Just Cause 2 has a 3d world map. I like it.

What do you mean you look down though? Are you saying when you click on the map from the menu screen the camera points down and then zooms up to the sky and takes you to a full 3d map render? Then from there you can pick anywhere on the map and zoom in to specific locations and see what they look like and what kind of activities are happening at that specific location at that specific time?

Yes, basically. I don't know about looking in on activities of any kind though, it would probably be a static render. Keep in mind this is just speculation.

And what would be the point of the camera pointing down and then zooming up7 why not just straight to the 3d render? Are we still going to have the option of viewing the traditional map and if we want the 3d render we click on the regular map to bring it up? I hope so.

Edit: don't know why but it double posted my comment.

Two very good questions. I didn't make up the looking down and zooming up thing, you can see that clearly in the excerpt from the magazine in the OP. If this theory is correct, I hope a traditional 2D map will be available as well, it doesn't seem fair to have access to the equivalent of zipping around the map in a helicopter.

I'm playing Gothic 3 right now - I like how they give several maps - one main one then you can collect various quest related ones that are cruder than the main map and switch between them.

Perhaps I'm just a cartography fanatic, but I thought more people would think about this!

I like cartography as well, I once tried to play Morrowind with the map disabled, and drawin my own map based on where I had explored, call me old fashioned, but I'd prefer a traditional map, or at least a toggle option between 3d and 2d

I was tempted to do that at times, but the closest I ever got was using the map that came in the box. A 3D map would not be very roleplay friendly...

They said they want the menu to feel less like menus, so everything you do is like an action. When you check your skills, your character looks up at the stars and the constellations form the signs of the skills and shows you your skill level, so its like checking the stars to learn about your character, which is a big elder scrolls thing. When you check your equipment, your character will "reach for your inventory" so presumably like reaching into their backpack or whatever the animation is. And so the map is having your character look down like you are looking at skyrim itself then the camera zooms out to show you the entire map. the whole system is designed to keep you in the game world, allowing you to check all of your stats and items without pulling you out of the game world with clunky menus and tabs.

Meh, it's a gimmick. I think a traditional map will be far more useful. I certainly won't mind having fun with this for a while, but it'll get boring. I do hope we get a normal map as well.