Bonus Screenshot: Overlay Map (work in progress)

I agree that overlay maps are the best way to figure out where you are in regards to your surrounds, but I find all overlay maps obtrusive. For this reason, I'd prefer the option of both the tiny mini map in the corner and the overlay map. This is how TorchLight is. While playing that game I would us the tiny mini map, then when kind of lost, I would hit the a key to switch to the overlay, get a sense of where I was at, then switch back.

Edit: TQ kind of works the same way. The mini mamap works fine for a while. But once you get far into an area, or you're exploring a wide open area, you have to hit the m key to see the world map to get a better since of where you are. So, I like having the overlay map, but only as a tool to use once the mini-map fails me. It's just hard for me to imagine an overlay map that didn't get in the way of a games graphics.

The map must be in overlay ?

What about the map inside a menu.
I mean, take a break, open the pop menu with the map inside, check out where you are, and go back to fight.
In term of realism you haven't always the map in front of you.

Overlay map are obtrusive, even if the transparency is low.

Overlays are kinda required in an ACTIONrpg...having to pause and look at a map stops the action. I'll pause to grab a drink/snack or use the restroom but not to look at a map!

Hi Fruitylord !

I understand your point but an overlay map is really ugly.

Are you always playing with the map on the screen or are you turn it on and off each time is required ?

I play D1 and D2 with overlay on at all times :)

I think the overlay does it's work quite good.You know what you need to know and get used to the sight of it.Of course it's centered on your screen and not everyone may like that.I find it far more effective than other map systems.

You don't have to stop for a quick look on an extra map , or take a better look at your little globe on some corner of your screen.It's most satisfying.

Only thing I'd add is adjustable transparency.Since that might be
useful to change at will.
For the other things like moving or resizing I don't think you will notice the map that much if you transparent it enough
and focus on the fights.I never did in D2.
Only when I actually used it to find the right way most efficiently.

I always play any action RPG with the map open. Diablo 2 style overlay map was great, it didn't take away from what is important in an action RPG which is killing monsters.

I always keep the overlay open.

Your overlay has too much detail in the walls though. It makes it difficult to understand the layout. I can't really tell the difference between walls that go down below the floor and ones that go up. Highlighting the ground level in some way would help.

Also I would prefer to have an arrow rather than an X. That way the arrow can point in the direction that I'm facing.

Alpha Transperency is definitely needed.

It does feel a bit obstuctive .. which is unfortunate because all that detail actually looks pretty cool.

One of the options in D2 allowed heavy alpha transparency in a circle around just the center character area while the rest is only slightly see through. Might be an idea.

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Tenka wrote:

One of the options in D2 allowed heavy alpha transparency in a circle around just the center character area while the rest is only slightly see through. Might be an idea.

But the problem there is that the most important spot on the overlay is where your character is. Making that spot more transparent makes the overlay less useful.

You could try measuring the amount of action that's happening on screen and tie the transparency of the overlay to that. So when the character is in the middle of a big fight the overlay will become very transparent but when the character is simply backtracking through a dungeon the overlay will become much more prominent. I think such a system could satisfy everyone.