Cartography and Flag Markers


Orphiex

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I know this is kind of a stretch, and that for whatever reason, the creators have decided that there shall be no maps in the game, but given that the characters are supposed to have survival skills, it doesn't seem to be too much of a stretch that they'd have orienteering skills. That being said, it's possible that they could create their own maps of the areas in which they are currently trapped. While I agree that compasses probably won't work, there's another tool for determining distances and angles: the theodolite. Or the sextant, if you prefer a more low-tech method.

Now, I'm not sure how this could be implemented in-game, although I have a few ideas. For instance, if there were certain vantage points from which measurements could be taken (like the forestry lookouts, for example) and certain landmarks that could be plotted from there (like the dam, or the campgrounds), then it's possible to make a really simple map. Not of the entire terrain, just of where the key points are in relation to the other key points. From there, it'd be up to the players to figure out what route to take.

Which brings me to my second request. See, given that we already have a crafting system in place with snares, torches and sticks, I'd love to see a system where we can combine sticks and cloth to create flags. This one's really simple - like I said, stick + cloth = flag. That way, the players can leave a trail to mark their route so that they can find their way back along the route they've taken. If the creators wanted to add realism, they can add in a random probability that a flag planted in the ground will disappear at any given hour, where the probability is less than 1% per hour during nice weather and increases by about 2-3% per hour for each point of wind speed (wind chill).

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Make of them what you will.

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While I agree that most of the gamers are used to maps in videogames.. because it make videogame easier, in the Long Dark you actually have to explore a lot to know yout environment... for me its super difficult to get orientation when on a blizzard i.e., but Its not that difficult with the right weather conditions...

So what I'm saying is I think a compass, map, cartography would ruin a great part of the game that is based on skills like exploration and memory (from the gamer).

I another thread I suggested that you can put MARKS on trees with your knife for orientation, I think this adds a bit help but you still have to explore and KNOW the map, the hill, the trees to orientate your self!

What you think about my reasons?

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Some kind of cartography options must be added.

Reason is fairly simple, ppl already use them, fanmade ones. At least i do when playing, just have it open on another monitor. Restricting game on that part serves mainly as annoyance, not a feature.

I do think that handmade map is an option, player is not blind and usually can measure fairly correctly distances and angles, especially if observed from high point(that would also make climbing on higher grounds of actual value). Imo keeping notes should be added as well, to keep track of supplies at various locations, animal travel patterns, corpses, traps, spawn areas, etc

In addition there should be a topographic map present in each map(except transit areas), that can be found, collected and used for orienteering and making of notes.

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I also think a cartography option makes sense, but it shouldn't be easy. From a realism standpoint it makes sense to be able to draw a simple/crude map of your surroundings, however I would suggest implementing a system that would have the player create a map on their own in game (as opposed to the game doing it automatically for the player). It just seems a little odd not to have the option, but I also think creating a map shouldn't be as simple as walking around the woods since this would ruin the survivalist immersion. Players should still be forced to use their memory and the environment as a way to keep track of their surroundings.

The ability to carve marks into trees would be great as well.

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I also think a cartography option makes sense, but it shouldn't be easy. From a realism standpoint it makes sense to be able to draw a simple/crude map of your surroundings, however I would suggest implementing a system that would have the player create a map on their own in game (as opposed to the game doing it automatically for the player). It just seems a little odd not to have the option, but I also think creating a map shouldn't be as simple as walking around the woods since this would ruin the survivalist immersion. Players should still be forced to use their memory and the environment as a way to keep track of their surroundings.

The ability to carve marks into trees would be great as well.

Like a little MS paint program in-game? where you move a pencil around or something, and then have a "hand-drawn" map?

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