Option to remove clouds from map, to help with exploring.

NOTE BEFORE READING:

To make this sound less arogant to what I wrote originally; Please dont post suggesting I use a zoomed in map. I say that because I already have 100% on tyria and Elona and due to experience I find using the zoomed out is more efficient and effective at finding spots you miss.

READ ON:

Very simple...

I ask that in a similar fashion to removing the interface, we should be able to remove the clouds from the map when zoomed out.

Why?

Because if you screen capture a zoomed out map and your attempting to compare it to another to aid with exploration, the clouds are the major issue.

It may seem daft, but they do cause alot of hassle when comparing. Anyone who has done, or is doing it will understand. The clouds add alot of unneeded detail which stops you trying to find tiny variations.

Maybe removing the interface will remove the clouds also. Just an idea?

BTW, am I wrong in thinking that before factions was released we didnt have clouds? or is that just my memory failing me.

NOTE:

Clouds DONT equal Fog!!!!

I dont mean the "Fog of war", I mean those fluffy things which float around the sky.

Yep.

Or, make clouds not show at lowest graphic detail setting.

Are you saying they dont show on the lowest graphic setting?

Either way, that wouldnt fix the problem, because then you would have a low res and/or low detail image, and most 100% maps online are in 1024x768 or higher.

We need to be able to do it high graphics and resolutions in order to make crisper images.

Unless the map image quality doesnt change occording to the display settings?

What would be the fun in exploring then? If you can view the full map, you know where to go, you know where the paths are. It has nothing to do with exploring anymore. Unless there's a new title invented: "Failed Explorer", for "exploring" the map without fogs.

Clouds = fog?

Wow, has the world changed since 2 this afternoon?

I didnt mean the fog of war! I meant those things flouting above your head in the sky.

You did notice they show clouds on the map when you zoom out?

/signed

it is annoying when comparing, and I don't think they really add more fun to the gameplay..

/signed

It's kind of an interesting effect, but tottally pointless. To clear this up for everyone else, we are not talking removing the FOG that goes over areas you HAVEN'T explored, we are talking about removing the clouds that hover over your map. (Which are just there to add effect and have nothing to do with the map itself)

I'd really like to see a solid black area covering the unexplored, but reachable areas and fog over the unreachable areas. This would still hide unexplored but would let us find that last 2% thats missing for the explorer titles.

Granted this would make the map a little less pleasent to look at as a whole but just removing the clouds is not enough as a small bit of fog on a map can be almost imposible to detect if its just 0.1% of that map and you need it for the title!

Sorry I dont agree with that. I like there to be a little challenge to finding the bits you've missed. If we removed the clouds AND change the fog to blackness, then it would be too easy.

The clouds do not appear in your "U" map which is what people use when they create maps for comparison. Use "U" when exploring. The clouds are not an issue.

Sorry if this sounds like im picking, but who do you know who compares the ENTIRE zoomed in map?

Every person who I know, including myself, who all have 100% on both tyria and cantha already, all compare the zoomed out maps.

If you look at every thread on here, where people post maps to compare and be analysed, their all zoomed out.

The reason being that it is actually alot easier, faster and effective.

Its the way I did it for tyria and cantha to get 100%, and it works perfectly.

To attempt to use the zoomed in one is time consuming.

You need to capture seperate squares of the map for every part, and go through each one comparing it to subsiquent squares from a 100% map.

This means doing the same thing over and over again on seperate images.

If it works for you, thats great. But from my quite extensive experience of exploring, its simply inefficient.

Numerious people I know from this website would agree, including Doogal, who runs the Tyrian exploration thread.

Using the zoomed out maps, you can layer one on top of the other and change visibilities to see subtle changes.

All of which can be on one image.

Removing the clouds would make it easier because you wouldnt have to take into consideration clouds changing brightnesses and visibilties.

/signed

/notsigned

GMC should not be made easier. Map comparison isn't necessary to get the title if you are thorough, and if you can't bother to be thorough then you simply don't deserve the title.

The practice of difference/comparison mapping has already reduced the title to a trivial photoshop exercise. In my mind this greatly cheapens the title because it allows you to instantly and easily locate your missing spots.

I have no sympathy for people who have difficulty with this title. I have Tyria/Cantha GMC on two characters, and Elona GMC on one, and I know for a fact that firstly, the leeway allowed is more than generous, and secondly, that map comparisons aren't necessary.

You won't get full detail for exploration with a zoomed out map. Beleive me, I have 97.6% Cantha and you won't.

Th best wahy it t make several screenshot with the mission map [U] and collage them all to get a Bigger one with good definition of the exploraion fog.

Exploring is rather very easy as it is... (all 3 100% explored here).

They're like giveaway titles

Thats kind of like preaching to the Choir, or atleast preaching to the better sounding Choir. Sorry that was a bit egotistical.

"Beleive me, I have 97.6% Cantha and you won't."

I have 100% on tyria, 100% on cantha, and 99.8% on Elona, so I'll turn down the offer to belive you. The only method Ive ever used to find the bits I missed are....

*drum role*

....comparing zoomed out maps. I cant remember any instance (except when first doing it in tyria about a year ago) when I looked at zoomed in ones. But then I saw the light and started with the zoomed out ones.

And its worked fine for me and alot of others I know.

You can see more then enough detail on a zoomed out map to notice subtle changes when you layer the two, which your comparing, on top of one another, and change visibilties of the layers.

I already ranted about the differences above, but if the zoomed in method work for you, thats grand.

/signed

But perhaps intead of removing it, make it an option to turn off.

Thats what I meant :P

Eek! Sorry my bad. :P

/unsigned

As a poster above said, it's not exactly rocket science working it out yourself and map comparison cheapens the deal. Add to that I find the op faintly annoying with an oversize ego.