Orienteering Mode - An easy way to expand the player base?

[Delta6NKVD]

Hi team,

I am not a hunter but the scenery in this game is so impressive.

It seems like it would not be too hard to add a setting where you use a map and compass and have to navigate around the Reserves.

This might attract orienteering enthusiasts.

Also, I am sure there are plenty of hunters that would appreciate the opportunity to practice their navigation skills.

[McSqurl Nugget]

it's a hunting game, i'd rather not see this. and how would walking around in a game with a compass help in the real world?

[Delta6NKVD]

Well, I would argue the following:

1. Hunters often carry (and presumably use) compass and map. If they don't use it, they at least have it as back up so why not let them practice there skills in the game? I know that many hunters have compasses because I go to outdoor stores and hunting stores and talk to people. Some hunters are really enthusiastic about compasses.

2. Compasses can be good if you end up lost

3. Orienteering is an outdoor sport.

4. There would be minimum work requires to implement the feature. Why not have a toggle button to remove your position from the map. That is all they need at an absolute minimum. Of course they could model a compass as well. Again, a small amount of work to attract more people.

5. Navigation skills is an outdoor skill that many hunters seem to be interested in.

[McSqurl Nugget]

maybe 30 years ago. compasses have been replaced by GPS. i haven't seen anyone out in the wilds with a compass, nor has anyone in the different groups i hunt, camp, or hike with in probably a decade.

no need for a compass when you can press a button to mark your camp and then get directions from anywhere in the hills to get back. we can even mark the game trails to find them from camp. guess if you want some nostalgia you can use a compass but there's no point in the game for it. We already have the huntermate with GPS. what we need is a map we can mark up.

i get the draw for the compass, i grew up using one, i'm quite proficient with them still. I just don't see a use for them in the game.

[Delta6NKVD]

Originally posted by McSqurl Nugget:

maybe 30 years ago. compasses have been replaced by GPS. i haven't seen anyone out in the wilds with a compass, nor has anyone in the different groups i hunt, camp, or hike with in probably a decade.

no need for a compass when you can press a button to mark your camp and then get directions from anywhere in the hills to get back. we can even mark the game trails to find them from camp. guess if you want some nostalgia you can use a compass but there's no point in the game for it. We already have the huntermate with GPS. what we need is a map we can mark up.

i get the draw for the compass, i grew up using one, i'm quite proficient with them still. I just don't see a use for them in the game.

Well, the reality is that there are many people who enjoy orienteering. If the game can easily be made attractive to them, you boost the number of people buying the game. If the Devs have more money, they can make the game even better in general. They might make more Reserves - where previously 10,000 hunting enthusiasts bought a Reserve, you would now have 10,000 hunting enthusiasts and 3,000 orienteering enthusiasts. The numbers are made up, but you get the idea.

Economists have a name for this: Economies of Scope. The vast majority of the game is already set up for an orienteering game. They could probably add a compass in an hour.

[pistolpete2525]

I personally like the idea, I do outdoors activities including camping, hunting, hiking, fishing, bushcraft, and survivalist training.

Since the game already allows you to disable the UI.
It allows you to disable the particle and glow effects.
You have the ability to turn off directional sound help.

So you already have the setup for a hardcore setting.

All that is needed is a new map screen map that doesnt show your location and only allows you to mark locations with way-points. the graphical effect can be a pencil marks on the map.

Add different compasses you can get at the store you unlock as you level starting with a button compass and moving up to the more advanced spotting compasses so you can pin landmarks on the map to better triangulate your position. get range to 3 landmarks with a high end compass and your location will pop up on the map.

Add a navigation skill tree (maybe)

Exchange the hunter-mate for a folded up map and ball float compass on a wristband with trail beads.

The image displayed on the hand held map would be a rectangle you move around the big map screen.

It would defiantly make the game harder and add to the realism. I hope the Devs take a look.

[Claus]

I def agree i also would really like to see them go down the survival route as it goes hand in hand with hunting, food, water, health as we have now infections and diseases, honestly i don't expect much from this developer after playing cotw, it's not really a realistic game, it's a chill game to have fun in, i expect a lot more if i am to buy the game normally, since i am a fan of hunting is the only reason i bought this, but play the classic version if you want a better hunting game, this one lacks depth in realism, progression and challenge.

[Delta6NKVD]

Thanks for the Support team. I for one would be willing to buy the two most recent Reserves (and all the Reserves thereafter) if I could do orienteering. Not only that, but there are Orienteering games out there that are terrible quality with a following. This game would take over from those games with so little work.

EDIT: I bought all the other Reserve already. But there is only so much hunting one can do in a game before you want to practice other skills.

[adkennedy03]

Alright so this is at its core a faster paced hunting game and i know some cabelas games had the hunger thirst and warmth mechanics which are pretty cool and yes classic has water bottles for the aussie maps in the heat but im not sure how much id like the whole I need to watch my health levels at all times deal. Go find the Big game hunter ultimate challenge lp by the american gaming geeks bc in that game you had to monitor the health bar to prevent passing out all the time. I get staying at optimal temperatures with correct clothing staying hydrated or even having a fire and staying fed but if it turns out like big game hunter and if you dont eat every 15 minutes you risk passing out, it really shouldn't be added. I like the orienteering idea for those that want it but for me who just wants to hunt and has learned the maps quite well it wouldn't add much but hey new content is always welcome as long as it doesn't screw up all the ones that dont want it.

[Delta6NKVD]

Originally posted by adkennedy03:

Alright so this is at its core a faster paced hunting game and i know some cabelas games had the hunger thirst and warmth mechanics which are pretty cool and yes classic has water bottles for the aussie maps in the heat but im not sure how much id like the whole I need to watch my health levels at all times deal. Go find the Big game hunter ultimate challenge lp by the american gaming geeks bc in that game you had to monitor the health bar to prevent passing out all the time. I get staying at optimal temperatures with correct clothing staying hydrated or even having a fire and staying fed but if it turns out like big game hunter and if you dont eat every 15 minutes you risk passing out, it really shouldn't be added. I like the orienteering idea for those that want it but for me who just wants to hunt and has learned the maps quite well it wouldn't add much but hey new content is always welcome as long as it doesn't screw up all the ones that dont want it.

I think that is bang on. So long as it is an orienteering mode you can toggle on and off. It expands the player base without having an effect on game play.

The addition requires minimal effort from the Devs and the potential benefits are huge. This would then allow the Devs to do even more work in other areas of the game because they have more money coming in.

Once the orienteering mode is implemented (it does not need to be full on, even a simple version), they don't need to think about it again. As they release new Reserves, people who like orienteering will enjoy them just as much as the hunters. It also allows hunters to practice navigation in situations that would be too dangerous in real life hunting. For example, you could get yourself lost intentionally, and then try and reorientate yourself. Good practice for if it ever happens in real life.

It is all about "Marginal Utility". Having a look at the cost to implement the feature (relatively small) versus the financial benefits when people who have no interest in hunting buy the game simply to practice orienteering. Not only that, but it adds to replayability for the hunters if they want a break from hunting.

I would love to buy the new Alaska Reserve... if only there was something for me to do in it. I have done enough hunting at this point. Hunting is not my primary interest, I bought the game for the scenery.

[Hanuman]

I don't see this add anything, its a sim, people don't use compasses. I was in the Marine Corps in the 1990s and we already didn't use the compass back then. Also, I have never heard the term (or hobby) called "Orienteering"? So I highly doubt this would add much to an already somewhat small user base that's just interested in hunting...but..what do I know..

[Delta6NKVD]

Originally posted by Dream Master:

I don't see this add anything, its a sim, people don't use compasses. I was in the Marine Corps in the 1990s and we already didn't use the compass back then. Also, I have never heard the term (or hobby) called "Orienteering"? So I highly doubt this would add much to an already somewhat small user base that's just interested in hunting...but..what do I know..

Are you a hunter? I literally went to a hunting shop about two weeks ago and it is full of different compasses.

It is also still uses in Search and Rescue. I mean you have to learn to use it at least, just in case the GPS does not work.

Orienteering is a huge hobby. It may not be as big as hunting, but it expands the play base - marginal utility. The Devs do a small amount of extra work, people like you are uneffected (because it has a toggle feature), and then more people want to play. More people playing means more money, which means the game becomes better for you.

[pistolpete2525]

"Orienteering" may be a regional or country specific term. but a term that I think is more common is "Land Navigation" or just "Navigation". Whatever it is called everyone in the armed forces gets basic map and compass navigation instruction during their survival training. And it is in the field manuals that they are supposed to have read. *hint hint nudge nudge* it is also part of every survival and bush-craft class. and some people do it for fun or because they want to sharpen their skills as preppers. It is common among hikers who go long distances over multiple days.

Will adding the feature to the game attract new players? maybe. will not trying anything and maintaining the status quo attract new players? maybe. Is adding new features and advertising them worth the effort of possibly adding new players? (investment vs return ratio) the numbers would have to show a positive return for the company to invest in the feature.

I dont know the actual numbers but as a realist and natural pessimist I tend to estimate on the worst case situation. I would estimate the numbers being slightly positive for the return value however with other projects currently being worked on and other proposals with higher return value this feature would be low on the list for releases to be worked on. That is just my thoughts on the situation as a whole.

My hopes as a gamer is that every good idea becomes a feature or a mod for the game.

I'm currently going through college for software development. I am nowhere near the level needed to pull this off, I know that for sure. I know this would require at least 3 different programs just for the map part of it. 2 or 3 additional for each compass added in. then you need the 3D artist to make the new models for the map and compasses, animations. testing, debugging, man hours.

Even making a game mod where there are templates and videos on how to do it is a daunting task when you are working on it alone. I have maybe 10 hours in to a mod for Snowrunner.with almost nothing to show for it besides a buggy program and a very crappy 3d model that wont port over. it sucks because I am not a 3d artist. I cant even make a snowman in a 3d program.... I am that bad at it lol

[adkennedy03]

I got to thinking about this subject and while cotw is a hunting game at its core and is why it is popular, I think having a little better compass could attract new players while satisfying the current players with something new and heck for those that like orienteering/navagating they could have something like a treasure hunt with the current landmarks so you could go ahead and travel the map looking for them with a map and compass. For the current hunters it could make a difference or just be a feature we try and never use but I dont see why this could possibly hurt the way the game plays as of right now, but remember that at its core it is a faster paced hunting game not a wilderness sim.