Hard to find own icon on map

-WildCat-

<div class="IPBDescription">Add a blip as the player opens the map</div>NS2 levels are complicated and the map is important to me while I try to find my bearings in the world. Unfortunately, it takes a relatively long time to find the icon that represents me on the map. It doesn't stand out well enough.

For example, at the beginning of a few of the games where I was playing alien, I have found where the marines have spawned and I want to tell this to my team mates. So I open the map to see what room I am looking into but I can't find my own icon. Then the marines start shooting at me and I have to flee. By the time I've escaped and found a spot to have a more lengthy search on the map, I no longer know where I previously was when I saw the marine spawn.

I suggest adding a "blip" that focuses on the player's icon at the moment when you open the map. I think the blip should only be displayed once, as you open the map. Here's Flash SWF that I made to demonstrate effect that I'm thinking about:

<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/65099424/NS2_Map_Blip.swf" target="_blank">http://dl.dropbox.com/u/65099424/NS2_Map_Blip.swf</a>

Staring at the map for ages while trying to find my own icon is annoying and makes it hard to learn the maps. I want to be able to pop open the map for just a moment at any time and immediately see where I am because this will help me learn the map faster.

Arkanti

Your icon is the one with the giant cone of vision attached to it. I'd personally only be ok with the blip you're suggesting if I could turn it off as it seems like a distraction.

Rokiyo

I have the same problem. I feel it the most when I haven't played in a long time or the map is new to me: I sometimes have to spend a few seconds strafing about and wiggling my mouse around (to make my cone of vision move so it catches my eye better) until I finally locate myself on the minimap.

ÒŗăNģё

I think it would be interesting to see way points on maps, to get a clear perspective on the path you would most likely take in any given situation.

Laosh'Ra

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think it would be interesting to see way points on maps, to get a clear perspective on the path you would most likely take in any given situation.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
+1, i actually made a thread about this somewhere. however, there is a small line drawn on the floor indicating which path you should take, but it is easily overlooked as it does not stand out that much and you won't see it at all if you are already facing a different direction... in any case, it wouldn't hurt to have a map icon for this.


as for op, i have the same issue ever since they increased the mapsize so much. the cone helps a lot, yes. but every second you spend on the map is a second during which an enemy might be attacking you... so +1 for blip.

-WildCat-

<!--quoteo(post=1909312:date=Mar 3 2012, 12:36 AM:name=Arkanti)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arkanti @ Mar 3 2012, 12:36 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1909312"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Your icon is the one with the giant cone of vision attached to it. I'd personally only be ok with the blip you're suggesting if I could turn it off as it seems like a distraction.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
LOL, I wouldn't describe that cone of vision as giant. More like minute. If you know the map then I'm sure it would be easy to find your icon but if your concept of the map's layout is very vague, then it takes a while. Even one second is too long. It should be instantaneously visible.

Also, I don't think it would be distracting if it was only displayed once upon opening the map. The Flash SWF I made loops so it blips every three seconds but, if it was put in the game, I think it should only blip once when you open the map.

ÒŗăNģё

<!--quoteo(post=1909411:date=Mar 3 2012, 02:08 AM:name=Laosh'Ra)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Laosh'Ra @ Mar 3 2012, 02:08 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1909411"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->there is a small line drawn on the floor indicating which path you should take<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I realize this but it just a point a to b line, which could lead you through a mob of aliens when you could be going into a floor vent or taking another corridor.

madplayshd

Why dont just color the player differently? For example blue. The cone of vision is not enough. Additionally, you could change the color of the room on the map you currently are in.

Racer1

Even with the cone, I often find myself spinning my character around before I can find the icon, especially on new maps. I agree that a blip would be nice - nothing fancy or long lasting, just easily findable. I think it could be done in a non-distracting way.

Techercizer

It says the name of the room you're in on the minimap, doesn't it? Just look at that and scan the map if you just can't find where your icon is.

Twiggeh

<!--quoteo(post=1910514:date=Mar 6 2012, 05:06 PM:name=Techercizer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Techercizer @ Mar 6 2012, 05:06 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1910514"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It says the name of the room you're in on the minimap, doesn't it? Just look at that and scan the map if you just can't find where your icon is.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Tho you only have the minimap while playing as marine - and that minimap tends to not update the names sometimes.