Maps

[themurdertrain 33]

I've always wondered why there are so many military topographical maps lying around in the world. At most, two people in a platoon will have one when going into the field, yet they are littered everywhere. Once you find a map you're good to go. The world is open for you. Even if you're very experienced and know your landmarks, the map will still help.

So here is my suggestion, there are multiple map types. The lowest, being something along the lines of a scribbled map written with great haste on a spare sheet of paper. It isn't to scale, but it gives you a general idea of which way to go. The next map up would be a travelers map, normally known as road maps. It would give greater detail, but it wouldn't give out a six digit grid like our current map does. The military grade topographical map would be the map we use now, with all of it's features. So as an idea...

Scribbled maps are partial and will not show all of the world, only where they have "been", much like the scribbled areas are filled in when the Fog of War is removed. They will spawn just about anywhere, and will not be any less common than the current maps.

The road map will most likely be in just about every civilian car, and spawn in gas stations and supermarkets as well, while spawning elsewhere rarely.

The military map is limited to military vehicles and spawns only, and should not be found three to a pile in a grocery store such as it is right now.

[Michaelvoodoo25 3120]

A great suggestion that has been mentioned before!

I personally like the Minecraft method, when you visit it shows you where you have been, Player has to travel in order to have a good map.

[Testwd3r235 2810]

A great suggestion that has been mentioned before!

I personally like the Minecraft method, when you visit it shows you where you have been, Player has to travel in order to have a good map.

Yeah, IRL I have to walk to China to see the map! Damn DayZ's unrealism.

[themurdertrain 33]

Yeah, IRL I have to walk to China to see the map! Damn DayZ's unrealism.

This is more to simulate the lack of the map, and the player drawing it as he goes, rather than what you just said.

[Nicolaitic 26]

Maybe someone left it done and you find it like that? Or else you would be able to find maps for tourists in stores so i think it's realistic enough.

[IkaikaKekai 1957]

I do like the idea. Perhaps make the 'traveler's map' fairly common (found in gas stations, stores, bus stops, ect) and make that the map you can 'scribble' on, fill out more details, ect. Make it so that map markers don't transfer to all maps, but rather stay on your own, this has been suggested along the lines of player journals and notes, so say you could 'safely' mark down your camp's location, but if you die or are robbed whoever takes your map now has all the information on it. The 'higher grade' maps would of course be more rare or in certain locations (say in a school or maybe a government building (civil government not military) and of course the highest would be military maps that show 'everything' or possibly already have notes on them (pre-post infection) that could hint to unmarked bases or vehicle spawns, (SGT Arkady took shelter here with 4th Mech Division; Cpt. Breznev's T-72 broke down here; ect)

*EDIT* also make it so you'd have to take time to 'scribble' out a map, not something automatically done as you run around (like minecraft)

Edited January 22, 2013 by BigMike