Maps that can be written on ...

Rinscewind on 18/5/2009 at 02:06

... been posted yet as a topic? I've not sorted thru all the posts, just the front page's worth.

It was always nice to be able to keep notes on the maps in T2, 'specially in the complex areas.

fett on 18/5/2009 at 03:16

I like that too but I mainly posted here because I had to tell you that your screen name kicks ass. :thumb:

R Soul on 18/5/2009 at 16:17

Yes, but should it have an S?

Vasquez on 18/5/2009 at 16:36

Quote Posted by R Soul

Yes, but should it have an S?

Oh come on, it's just styliszed.

Stath MIA on 18/5/2009 at 20:49

Back on topic, maps you can write on are very useful, they would allow EM to create maps with more complex details which you have to write down. Plus it's always helpful to keep track of where you dumped an important body (e.g. Cavador, I've misplaced him a few times and spent an hour trying to find him).

5tephe on 18/5/2009 at 21:58

Ha! Losing Cavador and Basso are practically a part-time job for Garret when I play him!

Writable maps would be ideal, but MUCH MORE interactive than even the T:MA ones.

I'd love to be able to pick a font (or writing) size, and write heavy (bold) or underline things, and write directly all over the pages of the map. Even put in arrows that point to things.

That could even open up the possibility for a different style of mission: Map the ground. A mission where you have to figure out what a hidden set of sewer tunnels might look like by scoping them during the day, from marking where their grates and chimneys were.

Then the next mission would be to use those sewers to infiltrate somewhere, and you get issued with your own map.

R Soul on 18/5/2009 at 22:54

Quote Posted by Stath MIA

Back on topic

Good idea :angel:

I liked being able to write on maps in T2, e.g. In the final mission I could mark which antennae I had changed so I wouldn't accidentally re-visit any of them. It was lacking in the ability to delete text afterwards, but I think that's all it would require.

I think changing font size and weight would make it look too much like a word processor. How about a Print button? Then we could easily get the map on paper and could scribble all over it :D

pavlovscat on 18/5/2009 at 23:08

I wrote a lot of notes on the T2 maps. That was a very convenient thing for me. I would love to see that feature return. Control over the font, etc would be cool too, but I'd be happy just to be able to take map notes.

Rinscewind on 19/5/2009 at 00:03

In Excel and other worksheet-type apps a note can be added to each cell, if need be. Prolly be good if the map could be directly written on, and also have a small 'button'/dot/symbol that could be placed anywhere and which would click open and be able to hold a few dozen characters of text or so.

It was pretty tough, at times, to place a note in a spot where other characters on the map weren't. Couldn't read my own notes at times, as the letter overlap made them near impossible to discern.

Then again, considering the game is played in times of old, maybe a one-shot deal is best. Charcoal markings weren't easy to remove from vellum, et. al. Once the cursor is moved (no more erasing with the backspace once moved) or the map closed out, the either learn to live with it, or reload.

Bakerman on 19/5/2009 at 15:19

I really, really hope this features in T4. It was brilliant fun in TMA (and Deus Ex), and I've wished I could do it in a few other games since.

Rinscewind - I would agree that the markings should be permanent, but maybe only once you've types them in, to allow for typos (which don;t often happen when you're writing ;P). But I'd also like the ability to freeform draw - add arrows for things like guard patrol paths, cross things out, fill the blank spaces with smileys, etc.

R Soul - printing is a great idea :D

5tephe - there was a mission in TMA like that. You did it twice, the first time with a blank map which was filled out as you traveled around the place. The second time you used the map you'd built up. As far as I recall. I'd like to see more stuff like this - and like the improvised, sketchy maps from T1 (I'll always remember getting into the Burrick caves in the Bonehoard and seeing a new region scrawled on my map: "Where am I?" :P).