COMMUNITY - FORUMS - GENERAL DISCUSSION
World Exploration, Maps & Equipment

In a previous comment, TripNull compared the world of CoE to that of Tamriel in terms of size and that got me wondering, will there be maps for exploration?

As there will be different races, I’m assuming there will be provinces/regions or something to that effect so would we be able to purchase maps from vendors which allow us to view settlements/cities in that area?

And while on the subject of exploration, what about general adventurer tools such as a compass/tents/camping gear etc.  Will that all be purchasable?  Different equipment for different regions like a leather tent for rainy areas, animal hide for snowy tundras etc.


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7/30/2015 3:48:29 PM #1

Yes, yes, and yes!

The map system is one we've been working on for a long time. We wanted to do something different here than has ever been seen before - something that really speaks to our sandbox-style world, and the ability for players to create original content.

Cartography will be one of the earliest skills available to players. The skill allows you, using in-game tools, to draw/sketch/stencil maps of your area. The higher your cartographic skill, the more precise and high fidelity the tools available to you will become. Then, you can distribute your maps to others for free or for purchase. Likewise, others will be able to take your maps and add additional information to them. (X marks the spot!)

I'm withholding another really cool feature of cartography. I hope you'll forgive me, but when I reveal it, I think it's going to be huge. Stand by for a future dev journal.

As for different tools and materials for regions, that is a given. It's essential to the survival aspects of the game we're going for. Adventurers setting off on a 5-day trek through the desert will need to be prepared. Chap stick required!

-Caspian


7/30/2015 4:47:55 PM #2

That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear, doesn’t look like there’s going to be any lack in system depth and content that’s for sure!

I’ll forgive you for holding out on us and wait with bated breath for the next Dev Journal.


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7/30/2015 7:48:42 PM #3

You better start putting out some dev journals or you will drive people crazy with curiosity... kidding... sort of XD

 

About cartography, that is actually very nice indeed. I mean, given the right tools i can really see myself spending time mapping stuff lol. Is it possible to also map features such as different scales, altitude, rivers, etc, or just main roads and spot locations? (quite good at that skill IRL so you got me quite curious lol)


http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p795/SilDarklight/Chronicles%20of%20Elyria/Forum/Sigs/Luccheno%20600x100altzpsuev3knqe.jpg

7/31/2015 2:50:48 AM #4

Hi Caspian,

nice intro on cartography.

I was wondering, cartography, so we will have many uncharted areas at the beginning.

  • Different races, sea travels. Do you intend to isolate some tribes / races from another until a Columbus like discovery is made?
  • Will it be possible to make some area maps accessible by public? Like a common knowledge of some area for local folk?
  • How long in game time would it take for some organized group of adventurers to chart roads to all planed major cities, and notable landmarks of Elyria it that is their only task?
  • Does players need to carry maps with them and risk damage / theft / loosing them in the proces of adventuring or once maps are in possession they become available all of the time to that character / his closest family via a journal / map mechanism?
  • If there will be no map sharing, will you require a cartographer to return home to share his new map with family, or in families there will be something like a shared map no matter of the location of family members?

Cheers,

DeryFH


It's dead, Jim.

8/4/2015 2:50:46 AM #5

To answer your questions, in order:

1. Yes

2. Families will have maps they pass on to their children, which will allow each generation to have some shared knowledge.

3. A long time. 

4. You need to have the map on you to use it. 

5. They will have to return home.

Thanks for the questions :)

-Miguel


\[T]/

8/4/2015 2:54:36 AM #6

  1. Great!
  2. Awesome!
  3. Fantastic!
  4. Thrilled!
  5. Hell Yeah!

Thanks for replying :-)


It's dead, Jim.

8/5/2015 9:09:18 PM #7

Hold on, so its not like other games when you just start with a world map. Here you create your map? can you buy them from shops, but i like the idea of being able to make awesome maps and selling them


8/5/2015 9:19:02 PM #8

There's no "World Map" unless someone makes one. Maps are items in your inventory which you can look at to get an idea of where you are in the world. 

Everyone has a map they start with which is provided by their family (or by the benefactor if they're a ward).


8/6/2015 5:29:13 PM #9

I really like this map idea.  It fits way better if the world is going to be dynamic and changing, too.  Uh, oh, I need to go fix my map, X isn't there anymore and Y showed up.  ;)

I've always loved map making, so I could get into this.


8/6/2015 6:19:58 PM #10

ok seriously can someone explain to me what tamriel means? PLEASE, no one ever tell's me


8/6/2015 7:07:32 PM #11

Tamriel is the fictional fantasy world that the Elder Scrolls series of games is set in. It is rather large. If you have ever played Skyrim you will know it has quite a big map that allows for a lot of time spent exploring. That map is just one of the many regions which make up Tamriel.


Author of the Elyria Echo the first, and least up-to-date, CoE fan site.

8/6/2015 7:23:00 PM #12

Alright thanks, can you explain what "sandbox" means


8/6/2015 7:33:00 PM #13

'Sandbox' is one of those game terms that has a slightly loose meaning that different people use to encorporate different features. A 'sandbox' MMO is typically one where it is an open world, with little developer provided narrative and the stroy and aims made by the players instead, where you can interact with the world often chaning it significantly. The most used example of a sandbox game is Minecraft.

The other popular type of MMO is 'themepark', this is where games like World of Warcraft fit it, there is a structured world that you pass through and you listen to the stroy as you progress. If you back later it will all be the same and nothing really changes but you do have these very narrative stories.

I think Chronicles of Elyria is aimed at somewhere between the two. So some narrative from the developers but also a lot of player driven story, also a world that can change but probably within limits.


Author of the Elyria Echo the first, and least up-to-date, CoE fan site.

8/6/2015 7:35:38 PM #14

ok one question is COE gonna have lots of rooms in the world and you can move from one room to the next or is it one massive room across the whole world.


8/6/2015 7:39:48 PM #15

They have said that it will be open world with no loading screens.

Source, reply #7.


Author of the Elyria Echo the first, and least up-to-date, CoE fan site.