Map Profession

[Minimusmax]

I think there should be a player profession of cartography. Having this profession could be beneficial for those who want a map or are new players to the genre. It would also be good for the cartographer as it gives them a market to generate money from, and helps to create a more diverse professions system. This would also appease those who want a map system, while keeping the feeling of player cooperation being important, while providing some tools that will aid those struggling with directions. What do you guys think?

[The Druid]

I think it's an amazing idea!

[nakoda]

We've been suggesting it for years in the discord. A cartography skill that lets people make maps they can sell, with town vendors selling the most basic of topography maps/materials for the process.

[CyberDown]

I think part of the game should be exploring and uncovering the map yourself. Making it its own minigame would be nice.

[Urban Blackbear]

A cartography skill or basic ingame map will little frill to it that fills itself in would by nice but IMO a little unnecessary. A little peek at the maps available online and I've learned my way around just fine.

[nakoda]

ah yes, the super immersive Alt-Tab External Website Map.

you'll use that, but not one in game?

lol


edit: L O L

Nothing screams immersive, social, open world mmo to me like using a wiki.

[Shepherd]

It's a nice idea.

All games that don't include a map in-game just force people to keep one open on their 2nd monitor which makes the game less immersive and more annoying to play.

[Urban Blackbear]

Originally posted by nakoda:

ah yes, the super immersive Alt-Tab External Website Map.

you'll use that, but not one in game?

lol


edit: L O L

Nothing screams immersive, social, open world mmo to me like using a wiki.

Didn't you block me? When did I say I wouldn't make use of the resources available to me? I hardly ever use the map on Shalazam these days though. I used it for maybe a day or two to orientate myself in the world, then I learned my way around the old fashioned way. I have posted that before I believe.

[Lord Bullingdon]

There will be a map.

[Veeshan]

I've always enjoyed rolling in maps in this way, except for Minecraft for some reason. That always felt bad.

It also lends itself easily to hidden treasure chests etc.

[Tanist]

Map skill... maybe make it a skill that all classes have?

Then, for progression tie it to a form of progression based development through some means. So.. as the player plays the game, traversing the zone, they do various tasks, collections, or maybe some map function (ie an activated skill) which through complete exploration of the zone and doing this type of play, the map slowly fills out adding more and more depth to the areas?

Maybe no pin point locations (ie mob spawns here, etc...) but maybe through this process various land marks begin to appear on the map filling out as you progress. Each zone has a certain cap progression in this process where the complete filled out map provides a fair depth, maybe a balance between the very vague one they have purposed and that of a bit more detail.

This way, the player actively takes part in being the cartographer in play, the map fills out slowly through that play and the end result is a complete map of the zone to which the player themselves took part in creating?

This would respect the process of "game play" to which the player takes part in directly due to their actions and effort similar to if they had "learned" the zone through memory, but the difference is that for those who claim they have a hard time remembering, this would do it for them, but at a pace that is reasonably designed to facilitate the basic principals of the overall systems of the game.

[Tanist]

Originally posted by Lord Bullingdon:

There will be a map.

Yep, but If we are to have them, I would prefer they be something that the player has to develop themselves. More so than simply running around because it takes longer than that for most people to get familiar with an area.

It doesn't have to be extreme, but if it is tied to a character skill progression in some way like skills or, or similar... it would still require a process of actually being at the place you explore and more than simply running through quickly to reveal the area. /shrug

[Virsago2099]

I think the idea of having maps be player generated in game would be the ultimate form of map to have. I also think it would be very expensive in dev time. If they could do it, and make it fun that would be absolutely amazing. But I think it might be a bit much to hope for from a small team. Would be pretty nice though.

[Johnathon Fortnite]

Having ANY sort of map would make this 10 thousand times more enjoyable to play. Playing in worlds end? The elf place. It's a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ forest. I can't differentiate these locations so I end up getting lost and spending ages trying to find my way back. No minimap sure but there needs to be some kind of realistic map so I can make my way around a forest with seemingly 0 landmarks.

[Tanist]

Originally posted by Virsago2099:

I think the idea of having maps be player generated in game would be the ultimate form of map to have. I also think it would be very expensive in dev time. If they could do it, and make it fun that would be absolutely amazing. But I think it might be a bit much to hope for from a small team. Would be pretty nice though.

Depends on how you wanted to implement it. Technically, it isn't that big of a hurdle.

[Tanist]

Originally posted by Johnathon Fortnite:

Having ANY sort of map would make this 10 thousand times more enjoyable to play. Playing in worlds end? The elf place. It's a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ forest. I can't differentiate these locations so I end up getting lost and spending ages trying to find my way back. No minimap sure but there needs to be some kind of realistic map so I can make my way around a forest with seemingly 0 landmarks.

What if you had to learn the areas first (through some game play mechanic)? That acceptable?