Navigating and learning the maps

Tunska

<div class="IPBDescription">Basic guide signs to maps?</div>Back in NS1 I could learn basic outlay of the map pretty easily but now that maps are complex and there are much more eyecandy I have had troubles learning them. Commander orders to specific room (data core, generator or what ever), I just pop up my map and start searching where to go. And quite often the room is right next to where I am. Most of the time I pretty much just have to run around with my map on.

So... Something to help navigate without reading the map all the time. I say basic guide signs next to the doorways that would show where that leads. Just quick look at it would give me information where to go. Now I don't mean that every possible location should be stamped on every doorway but maybe just what next room is or some major areas. Signs can be also hanging from roof (that can be walked thru). I don't think they would ruin the aesthetics of the maps if done in moderation.

I personally think that those would help people to learn the names and where specific rooms and areas are. I don't know how much time and effort this would take but it could be tested with just one map at first.

So what do you guys think? If you got any tips how to learn maps better let me know.

edit: Fixed few typos but I'm sure there are still more.

iKossu

That's not a bad idea in my opinion. But I think more of an issue is the minimap. What's wrong with it is that the white arch in the icon representing the player is too small to locate yourself quickly in the minimap. I think it should be as large as it is in spectating mode (in proportion of course) when you click the minimap button once. You know, when the minimap is in the bottom-left corner of your screen.

ScardyBob

I don't see how in-game signs would help you learn a map any faster. Unfortunately, there really is no good substitute to learning a map by anything else than playing on it. If you've having trouble finding vents/good hiding locations, trying specing an experienced player or running through the map on a local server.

Tunska

<!--quoteo(post=1933197:date=May 3 2012, 04:09 PM:name=ScardyBob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ScardyBob @ May 3 2012, 04:09 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1933197"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't see how in-game signs would help you learn a map any faster. Unfortunately, there really is no good substitute to learning a map by anything else than playing on it. If you've having trouble finding vents/good hiding locations, trying specing an experienced player or running through the map on a local server.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I'm talking about general layout of the map. Locations and names of major cc/hive spots and their link to each other. Not really hiding spots and stuff like that. Because new players don't know room names or how to get to specific room.

Every time you walk past a doorway you read the sign even if you don't always realize it yourself. Then you start to learn connections of the rooms. "Ah, so next room from here is Data Core!". And next time when you spawn and com yells to get to data core you might not know exactly where it is but you remember to room before that so you can head strait to there without wasting time by looking at the map.

I know this ain't the most important thing to get implemented right away but it's just something to think about when trying to make the game more appealing to new players.

.ADHd

I don't like the idea of signs. If you look at the details each room is named for a reason...eg. datacore has racks of servers in it. Flight control overlooks an airfield. Crossroads..... well you get the point.

It will take time to learn every map but not very much time to be honest. about 10 games and you will have it supremely mastered :)

btw NS2 maps are a lot more intuitive and smalelr than ns1 maps... also with the advanced geometries and props theres a lot more easier recognized places in each map vs ns1.

ns2 just superior in map design.