Why can't we map the ocean floor?
project_demon
Join Date: 2003-07-12 Member: 18103Members
I understand that having no map to start with is an intentional design decision, nothing wrong with that, however why don't we have access to an ocean floor "map" (incomplete one that we develop as we play) later on through tools/upgrades or whatnot ? We sorta already scan the sea bed with the Seaglide, Seamoth sonar, Cyclops, etc. So how come we don't "store" that data somewhere so we can use it as part of an ocean floor map. It would fit really well with the rest of the game, could even tie in some structure with automated drones that would map areas for you. This is not your conventional video game map with labels and stuff, it's just an ocean floor map (think of the one in the scanner room), you can add your own labels.
At this point I haven't unlocked beacons yet (I've played around 30h). I'm resorting to taking pictures of the important locations on my phone (using the Keep app), while i look at my escape pod for distance/direction, so that later on i can use the info in the picture (direction and distance from pod) to find this location, here's a picture of what i mean.
I feel like i shouldn't have to resort to this in order to keep track of important locations, I understand later on beacons can help, but I do not believe they're a good solution (plus what do i do before i get them?).
At this point I haven't unlocked beacons yet (I've played around 30h). I'm resorting to taking pictures of the important locations on my phone (using the Keep app), while i look at my escape pod for distance/direction, so that later on i can use the info in the picture (direction and distance from pod) to find this location, here's a picture of what i mean.
I feel like i shouldn't have to resort to this in order to keep track of important locations, I understand later on beacons can help, but I do not believe they're a good solution (plus what do i do before i get them?).
Comments
where can we see coords?
Still you know I agree with you. building the map as a part of the game's mechanics would be great imo.
Hit F1, the camera position coords shown then are your current player coords. Also it lists the biome you are in so is helpful for locating blood kelp or dunes or whatever biome you may be searching for at the time as you will know when you are there.
Didn't even know about this, this feels like it's there for debugging the game and shouldn't be part of release version.
Thanks for the info, for the time being i'll note down the coordinates, until they add some kind of map to the game.
Im sure its there for debugging as well. However its also completely idiotic that we have the tech to build a nuclear reactor and a escape rocket but somehow lack a simple map. Until the devs fix this error ill continue to use coords. I keep a notepad by my computer i mark down all interesting coords and what resource types are in that area.
Agreed, this is a huge oversight imo.
I for one dislike maps in most games, but I do understand that most people are so used to it that they are practically addicts. If you remove it they go into a crazy withdrawal.
I also play without beacons (without any beacons, including pod, vehicles and SR camera drones). The game map is small, with simple geometry and clear reference points.
A map would be cool, as long as they didn't force every player to use it.
I understand that the devs are planning to fix/improve some of the VR stuff now the game has been released but I dont know if that means a map or making access to the co-ords earier for VR users.
Thats what maps are for, to simplify navigation.
Doesn't matter if its VR or not.
In terms of gameplay and immersion, I would REALLY like to see a proper map implemented. I find it highly annoying and immersion breaking that the scanner room, seaglide, and vehicle sonar can generate highly detailed terrain maps, but for inexplicable reasons can't save them. At least there's a map mod already.
At least some of the devs agree, there's a Trello card for possibly implementing a minimap at some point.
wow, thanks , I hope they add something similar to the game, but tie it in with sonar, glider, the tools that scan the ocean floor.