Navigation Suggestion

I'm pretty sure this has already been mentioned, but I'll suggest it anyway just in case... I think the game could really use some form of a compass system, if for no other reason than to know which way is north.

I started off in Round Hill and quickly began exploring the surrounding area, only to realize that I wasn't really sure how to get back to where I had started. I eventually decided to follow a flowing river back to the lake. Normally I would just glance up at the sky for direction, but in the winter time when the sky is cloudy, it makes getting one's bearing nigh impossible.

I have spent a fair amount of time camping and orienteering in RL, so I can appreciate the realness of the current system. However, I can also see how this could cause problems in the future. A simple compass that points north would work wonders for the exploration aspect of the game. It would also help when you're trying to meet up with friends. If adding a compass to the UI isn't ideal, how about making a craftable compass?

These are just a few suggestions, but I believe they would greatly enhance gameplay. Any thoughts on this?

I think being able to craft and buy a compass to make getting around in game easier (for those who chose to get one) would be great! It doesn't make sense that we wouldn't be able to come up with some means of orienting ourselves as we advance.

I'd rather not have the UI compass personally.

Angyll wrote:

Quote:

---

I think being able to craft and buy a compass to make getting around in game easier (for those who chose to get one) would be great! It doesn't make sense that we wouldn't be able to come up with some means of orienting ourselves as we advance.

I'd rather not have the UI compass personally.

---

I agree.

The UI solution is unrealistic, the compass as an item you have to get your hands on is way better!

I remember somewhere reading that there are no useless items, every item has a purpose. That compass is a perfect candidate. Also, a wrist watch to exactly know the in-game time.

I think orientation will be a problem in the beginning, but after a week or more it will be easier and in the end it will become a part of the game to get lost from time to time and to have zones you know better and other zones you don't know at all.

In some cases it feels more rewarding to players if they are given "small hints" that lead to solutions than making their lifes too easy!

Already added this to the suggestions list in the form of a UI compass but I might change the suggestion to a craftable one.

Though remember once people start building a few towns etc, they will act as land marks and make it much easier to know where you are and in which direction you need to go.

I think an preset compass/map is not a good idea. But it would be nice to be able to find one.

A lot of the areas seem to be real life ones anyways, it would be easier to redo an existing map.

For the Wurm players, Was there some program for mapping that anyone used there?

edaw22 wrote:

Quote:

---

Though remember once people start building a few towns etc, they will act as land marks and make it much easier to know where you are and in which direction you need to go.

---

This is true, also the roads that people build will help out a lot. Cartography might be a cool skill for the future.

Personally I would like to see an extremely basic map we get when we start, that has only a vague outline of Lake Tahoe and a dot where we are. Then later I would like to see a cartography skill that allows players to make more detailed maps using paper that have things such as area names, landmarks, player marked locations etc.

Though I'm not sure exactly how the skill would function/level up.

As far as compasses, likewise id like to see the player start off with a basic one that just shows North, then have them craftable with players able to make better ones, more accurate and with the other cardinal points.

Thoughts?

edaw22 wrote:

Quote:

---

Personally I would like to see an extremely basic map we get when we start, that has only a vague outline of Lake Tahoe and a dot where we are. Then later I would like to see a cartography skill that allows players to make more detailed maps using paper that have things such as area names, landmarks, player marked locations etc.

Though I'm not sure exactly how the skill would function/level up.

As far as compasses, likewise id like to see the player start off with a basic one that just shows North, then have them craftable with players able to make better ones, more accurate and with the other cardinal points.

Thoughts?

---

It sounds like we're thinking along the same lines. There's no need for creating elaborate navigation tools in the beginning, but it would be nice to have some simple way to tell which direction I'm walking when it is cloudy.

When the sun is out, use shadows to tell directions.

When the stars are out, use them.

When it's cloudy and/or overcast, use your knowledge of terrain.


It's possible to create a compass from a very thin magnetized needle and a cup of water. That would be the first crude yet portable true compass.

Remember, in Xsyon the top crafters get to create new items periodically (at least thats what I read into it.) So, perhaps there should be a community agreement that a crude compass should be a high priority player-generated recipe?

In Roma Victor we had to navigate using distant terrain as a marking point as well as using navigation skill saying your village is somewhere south or east from here. The tips get more accurate when the skill gets higher
How about that?

edaw22 wrote:

Quote:

---

Personally I would like to see an extremely basic map we get when we start, that has only a vague outline of Lake Tahoe and a dot where we are. Then later I would like to see a cartography skill that allows players to make more detailed maps using paper that have things such as area names, landmarks, player marked locations etc.

Though I'm not sure exactly how the skill would function/level up.

As far as compasses, likewise id like to see the player start off with a basic one that just shows North, then have them craftable with players able to make better ones, more accurate and with the other cardinal points.

Thoughts?

---

I think you are on to something edaw.... A player that had the ability to construct a map of Xsyon would have the ability to construct a valuable and personal item.... If the cartagrapher has the ability to input text in the map, that adds to the depth of the game, by adding "this encampment of the brotherhood of change has locker in tent #2 with supplies" or "Here there be monsters". Of course, adding to the richness would be the ability to sell the maps.

I'd imagine that if scavenging and digging will be in game, then why not reverse the skill and have burying... time capsules, treasure, etc. (I don't see too many banks in post apocalyptia, but I do see lots of holes being dug, with maps leading to those holes).

I'd suggest signal smokes, like from campfire when firestarting comes in place. This ofc would be seen by everyone and could lure baddies too but it would show you your location and others. I've been thinking this alot and it would be really fit for the game!

-------edit:
another is ofc cartography and compasses but compass is well, kinda modern thingie :) cartography would be cool if you'd need leather for it and cartography skills.

Mordant wrote:

Quote:

---

I'd suggest signal smokes, like from campfire when firestarting comes in place. This ofc would be seen by everyone and could lure baddies too but it would show you your location and others. I've been thinking this alot and it would be really fit for the game!

-------edit:
another is ofc cartography and compasses but compass is well, kinda modern thingie :) cartography would be cool if you'd need leather for it and cartography skills.

---

The mapping of magnetic fields/poles is anything but modern, however, I suppose the compass we're used to and it's visual accompaniment is fairly modern though.

Offhand I believe something along the lines of the "Olmec Artifact" was a compass-type device found to be dated around 1200 BC.

As well the Chinese have a history of it dating back to 4th century BC.

(My dates might be minorly off, I'm at work and can't exact fact-check)

Celestial Navigation is really cool, but it is best to know the date and time, and identify constellations in the sky.

The sun rises over there, lets call that east.

go play wurm and navigate there, the game has a compass but hard to get as it is made from olive oil , a needel and a pottery bowl

No user interface compass is needed. I have no objections to a craftable one if it takes up a hand slot in order to look at it. This game should try to be as realistic as possible in regards to character actions.

I have been exploring quite a bit and you get to know your way around eventually. A help is a basic map of Lake Tahoe so you know where Round Hill is located relative to everything else.

Yes, I just happened to have such a map in my pocket when I wandered into the Lake Tahoe region. :laugh:

From Features: Characters achieving the Supreme Master level of craftsmanship work with the Xsyon team to introduce a crafted item of their own design.

So best get crafting in-game when it is released to introduce a compass? :P

Me and edaw were discussing this at length the other day, and we came up with a few pretty good ideas, like a paint-like program where you can draw and write notes that cannot be erased (so paper needs to be respected and not just spam), some form of in game screenshot system using a skill so that you take the shot and the less realistic it looks the lower skill (like portrait art, and then possibly being able to hang these in houses/tribal areas etc), and a craftable compass as mentioned.

Also, the drawing function would lead people to making things like star maps and proper hand made maps of the area, with land marks and codes built in (in case unwanted eyes get their hands on it). Do I here real life treasure maps on the horizon? Or ellaborate National Treasure style treasure hunts?

I like the idea of using the stars/sun and terrain as a method of orientation :) Never seen it in a game so it will be interesting to experience and I believe it will be a game separating feature: all games have a ui compass these days...