Still pretty much a "greenhorn" but certainly agree that the glass in the OW would not only be helpful but would add depth to the game as well (or immersion, as mentioned above)
I realize perhaps the problem being the number of new headaches for the devs to apply the visual detail to land masses and additional parameters I can't even begin to imagine.
Down the road, perhaps the spy glass could be something that has a crafting element added to it, so that the strength and clarity are things that can be improved at great cost or difficulty, or require a rare commodity like "Historical Artifacts".
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On a similar train of thought, I was thinking of an incremental benefit of visiting ports that might improve one's open world line of sight.
Perhaps only the slightest of increments (eg. .01%) per every X# of ports visited. It would be an added incentive to sacking enemy ports..
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Anyhoo....thanx for the forum, a chance to think out loud. Love the game and know it'll only get better!