Bonus Screenshot: Overlay Map (work in progress)
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One of the things that we really wanted in Path of Exile was an overlay minimap. Overlay minimaps are really great for being able to quickly and easily show you where you are in relation to the world without having to squint at a tiny map in the top right corner.
The big problem with creating them is all the art time required to draw small versions of all the tiles in isometric form. When I asked our Lead Artist Erik to do it he really wasn't keen. We realised that if we wanted an overlay minimap we would have to work out an automated way to generate the art from the tiles. This is what we have so far: http://pathofexile.com/gen/image/gallery/NDFfb3JpZy4x/5bf8b26e93.jpg Now there is still some work to do on this. Currently the colours of the minimap are taken from the textures on the objects, which means that the contrast is not great against the background of the world. We have plans to fix this by allowing the artists to manually specify override colours to materials for use when they are rendered to the minimap. We also need to add the ability to add geometry that only shows up on the minimap so that we can use it for things like highlighting doorways and other important features on the map. If you guys have any suggestions for how you want the map to work, or how you want it to look, we are happy to chat about it! Path of Exile II - Game Director Last bumped on Jan 16, 2011, 9:58:29 PM
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I personally like the overlay map to be on at ALL times and therefore I want it to be not too distracting. I like the Diablo 2 low-intensity version for comparison.
Maybe you could add an option for the player to choose the intensity of the overlay map. |
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The Map should be subtle and not "in your face".Its a tool to help you when you are lost, not a thing you have to rely on when you are doing fine anyway.
As it is now it blocks like 1/3 of the screen and its all over the "action zone" You don´t want to force the player to turn the map on and off because he can´t see anything because of it. On the other hand the map should be minimalistic and straight forward. Suggestions: -add an option to invert the colors so it doesn´t collide with the background. Would obviously be better if the player doesn´t have to do it though.(White map on Snowbackground doesn´t really work out for example) -resize the map This is tricky,making it too small means you don´t see anything,too big = you don´t see anything else on the screen.Currently it seems to be slightly too large. -move the map I would suggest moving it down (below the Character and "between" the UI). Unless that area is used for chat and the 1990 style UI is going to stay like that.No offense^^ -Tweak the transparency a bit. Right now it seems to be too intense. Well thats just fine-tuning. More like "Path of Kiddy Hell"
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Here's the D2 overlay for reference.
The boundaries on the minimap should be more straightforward. Like Salbei said, it's a tool to help you, so you want players to be able to tell what and where things are quickly and easily. A customizable minimap is the best way to go if you're unsure. Give us transparency, position, and size options. | |
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Yep, I kept the minimap on at all times and transparent. I expect the minimaps to be large, and the one in this picture looks fine to me as far as size is concerned. Just needs to be faded/transparent. Also, I do like how in D2 you saw some colors in the minimap like for water on the border of the zone and stuff. At the same time it wasn't too distracting.
Good start! |
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give the vaious maps the options people want and have toggles for overlay , movable minimaps *radar* , and full maps then everyone should be happy . looks good so far .
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The map seems pretty obtrusive and hard to read the way it is right now, obscuring too much of the action.
Changing the map's color scheme to something less 'muddy' and making it transparent would improve things a lot. I don't think it's too large, though, and it should definitely remain centered on the player character. |
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I think what everyone wants is what they are use to. Copy D2's map, allow it to be turned off and on, and most everyone will be happy
The path of exile holds him, not at all twisted gold, a frozen spirit, not the bounty of the earth.
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Not bad, but it is a little too detailed. I rather have simple clean lines, akin to that of D2.
Insanity is overrated unless you join me in mine.
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I agree that you can't really go past the D2 model, keep it simple and allow for adjustable transparency.
I used to be apathetic, now I just don't care.
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