why having a compass map is a problem in GW

First, the disclaimer: I know this cannot be changed. I know that 99% of all players would not want it changed. I am the 1%.

With a compass map, we spend most of our time watching the map, waiting for mobs to appear and to avoid or aggro as desired. The incredible graphics and environments get ignored and replaced by an overhead view with red dots. If there were no compass map then:

- we would be constantly monitoring the environment in front of us, looking for mobs
- there would be no need for buried mobs (scorpions and scarabs), which could easily be replaced by better camouflage making the game more enticing, more interesting and scarier
- it would be more realistic
- it would be more difficult.

This kind of change would also need to be together with a notification of sound and direction (say, like in CS, a glowing bar on the edge of the screen indicating the direction dmg is coming from or that sound is coming from). It would also go well with actual collision detection.

Why is this not in Sardelac? It's not a suggestion. I know that this could never be implemented because the number of people pleased would be far far far smaller than the number of people displeased. So it's here in Riverside as a discussion about the merits and drawbacks of this kind of system in future games and other games.

Please, don't think about what makes you safer and more powerful, think about what can make a game more fun, more interesting and more realistic.

That's what we already do.

There still would be a need for burried mobs, as it's what they do. And I don't think camouflage would make the game any scarier, that's just your opinion

There's about 1000 other things in this game that aren't realistic

If you don't think the game is hard enough as it is, Invite a bunch of newbies who like to aggro a ton of monsters, you'll get all the difficulty you've been wanting.

okay... granted this was 100% opposition, but I know that opinion is met with opinion, it's all good. I don't think the game is too difficult, and you're right about people who aggro too fast. And you're also right about there being other things that aren't realistic, but that's never cause to not start making them realistic. And you're right about scarabs.... that's what they do.

I don't think it's just opinion however about camouflage making it scarier. Scary=suspense, if you know that somewhere in those bushes there are a bunch of avicara waiting for you, and you have to sneak in slowly to see where they are so you dn't aggro too many, this adds suspense, it adds tension and increases adrenalin (RL, not warrior).

I also disagree about monitoring the environment... why would you monitor the environment when right there on the corner of your screen is a circle showing you the location of all the bad guys within 3 times your aggro radius? I see that you don't think this is a good idea, and that's fine... wondering if there are any others who are for or against this method in other games? And why...

Aggro is way too delicate in this game. Without the radar compass, the game would be ruined. Plain and simple.

I believe simply holding control would give away all nearby enemy positions with no map :3

I'd be all for removing the compass/radar map, but like the OP said, ain't gonna happen...

You can remove the compass and other pieces of the UI by going to customize window from menu.

People use the compass map because it is easy and convenient. Do you really think that such a convenient feature should be taken out?

well i dont think they should completly get rid of the compass (mainly because i use it to draw tactics for missions) but maybe have an option to take it off or something... (if they do not already have that)

i dont feel that the compass takes away from the amazing art and environment, that job is already taken care of by my graphics card, if you look in my screenshots folder you will see that i pay very good attention, most of my 150 (or so) are landscape shots which i later use for computer desk tops, which is basicly what i use my W/N for now, looking for good screenshots for my next desktop...

cant you go to "customize' in ur menu and just undash the compass?

You could always do this using existing settings:

keep it in pve, but take the enemies part out of it in PVP, but leave it for tactics drawing.

just my 2 cents

I love it and hate it equally. Agree with OP how the thing takes away people having to actually look at the scene to spot enemies.

When I play with players in missions, I hate those kiddies scribbling all over the compass map, sex organs, like its their first time seeing those organs or something...

Compass map also kills conversations. Before the mission, 1 leader will say something like, all follow me, look at compass I draw the way. And when we go in, everybody just follows him, good, we did the mission so efficiently and effectively. But throughout the whole mission, no one spoke a word, all just follow the 'leader' pick stuff, boom finish mission.

What the heck... Its a game, lets have fun, talk in game, or at least argue about directions or something. I play the game to have fun, not to follow some guy just so I can finish the game quickly by breezing through it...


P.S. StandardAI, love your Laughing Man avatar. =)

For the most part, Las, that's what I do too. I spend more time looking ahead using the control key. I use the larger map to keep track of the goal (when it's available). I find myself using the compass map only occasionally. Still, I wouldn't like it gone as I use it just enough that it'd make me nervous if it wasn't there.

can u just imagine how lost u are going to be? sure u can say more challenging, more realistic but come on, even navigators have compass, sun and stars to guide them. what would be your experience if you just bought the game and you need to do go to place. can you really go around the desert and jungle without one. hmm this place look familiar. hmm i think i have been here before. oh guys i think we are lost

I want to reiterate that I'm not suggesting we take it out of this game, and I would never take it off on my customize options because the game was designed to need the compass. Also it would put me at a serious disadvantage and it would hinder my team as much as myself (people would constantly bitch at me for moving too slow or aggroing mobs unnecessarily). But if this were a feature (or rather an absent one) that were designed (ie. intended) then it would have necessary supplements to make it work (such as line of sight aggro instead of aggro radius).

it's also worth noting that this post was originally in Riverside discussion forum since I don't offer it up as a suggestion for the game. Despite the fact that I would love it, I think it's a horrible suggestion for guildwars. I wanted to offer the idea for games in general (since almost all PvP and PvE style games have the same feature) and have a discussion about how it would add to (or take away from) the gaming experience.

I don't know that it would be the most horrible idea for GW. I've heard worse.

If they every customize the party interface with "selectable" options (i.e. mission + bonus, mission/bonus only, etc.), perhaps compass map inclusion/exclusion could be implemented as well.

perhaps (swinging towards suggestions since this is now in Sardelac) they could implement a 50% xp bonus for missions and bonus missions if done entirely without the compass. That would give people a reason to not use the compass often, and it would also give people a completely free choice.

One idea I have is to introduce a day-night cycle. For 30min out of every 2 hours it'd be night in Tyria. The environment gets darker and the range of your compress map is greatly reduced.

thats a good idea, i find it odd how its always day in that place... and people always stand around... hobbies npcs.. ever heard of them?

The time of day seems to depend what zone you are in. Head towards Majestys Rest and the spooky area and the sky gets dark enough..