Navigation suggestions

[BarentsSailor]

Hello captains,

I've been playing NA on and off since January and would like to give a few suggestion based on my background irl (active tall ship sailor and occasional computer game player).

First I must say that I really enjoyed playing this game when I have time, specially for the realistic battle where wind tactics allow to take over your opponent, but also the open world and the crafting/trading system. However there are few points that I would like to comment on, and give my opinion.

Two minor incoherence concerning the map and navigation system:

- In the map window the coordinates start with the longitude West. irl it would always start with Latitude North or South. For me (and I guess for other players with navigation background) it is hard to get used to it.

- On the wind direction and ship direction diagram (bottom right in OW, bottom left in battle): the wind direction arrow is pointing on the compass where the wind is going to, not where the wind is coming from. Same here, irl the convention is the opposite and would show the direction from where the wind is coming (see image of a conventional instrument plotter, wind is represented as the yellow arrow with letter T).

Concerning the open world navigation system. I would suggest the development of a more realistic navigation system including wind direction change and wind patterns, currents, leeway, weather changes, clock system for longitude, poor latitude position in case of overcast (cannot fix the sun with the sextant) etc..

Making a more realistic navigation system would attract a lot of people from the traditional sailing community that would see this game as a simulator from the age of sails. Moreover I've been reading a lot of complains on the forum about long and boring OW navigation. A more realistic navigation system would bring more dynamics to the OW and offer more challenges and tactical decision, making long OW navigation more fun. I know that represents a huge amount of work for developers, but might be worth considering.

That's my suggestion for this wonderful game. Developers keep on the good work!

[Rychu Karas]

It would be nice to have changing wind strength and direction over time. But we have to keep in mind that not all players are familiar with IRL conditions, maybe there should be a possibility for customization of complication if someone wants the sailing more realistic

Edited November 23, 2016 by Rychu Karas

[Blaatand]

On ‎23‎-‎11‎-‎2016 at 8:22 PM, BarentsSailor said:

Hello captains,

I've been playing NA on and off since January and would like to give a few suggestion based on my background irl (active tall ship sailor and occasional computer game player).

First I must say that I really enjoyed playing this game when I have time, specially for the realistic battle where wind tactics allow to take over your opponent, but also the open world and the crafting/trading system. However there are few points that I would like to comment on, and give my opinion.

Two minor incoherence concerning the map and navigation system:

- In the map window the coordinates start with the longitude West. irl it would always start with Latitude North or South. For me (and I guess for other players with navigation background) it is hard to get used to it.

- On the wind direction and ship direction diagram (bottom right in OW, bottom left in battle): the wind direction arrow is pointing on the compass where the wind is going to, not where the wind is coming from. Same here, irl the convention is the opposite and would show the direction from where the wind is coming (see image of a conventional instrument plotter, wind is represented as the yellow arrow with letter T).

Concerning the open world navigation system. I would suggest the development of a more realistic navigation system including wind direction change and wind patterns, currents, leeway, weather changes, clock system for longitude, poor latitude position in case of overcast (cannot fix the sun with the sextant) etc..

Making a more realistic navigation system would attract a lot of people from the traditional sailing community that would see this game as a simulator from the age of sails. Moreover I've been reading a lot of complains on the forum about long and boring OW navigation. A more realistic navigation system would bring more dynamics to the OW and offer more challenges and tactical decision, making long OW navigation more fun. I know that represents a huge amount of work for developers, but might be worth considering.

That's my suggestion for this wonderful game. Developers keep on the good work!

As an IRL circum navigator I couldn't agree more

Lat long should be exactly that LATITUDE, Longitude - I often get confused with the unconventional layout!!!!

Wind is the same issue - see above

ALSO:  compass shown is ok wind but NOT representative of a steering compass - a horizontal bar below the wind rose should show steering with at least 5 degree resolution!! Many treat 1700 hundred navigation as if it was primitive but I have actually entered ports on pacific islands using charts marked in the bottom with "last updated by captain cook" (Latest edition English charts). I also used sextant on my first circumnavigation and found that precision would be as good as 2NM on clear days.

For voyage planning it would be simple to add a couple of tools to the Map: protractor, ruler and compass rose. VERY little programming but realism for those of us who actually enjoy sailing and like the realism of sea voyages.

I would also think that a crows nest repot would aid people sailing semi AFK - shouts of sail ahoy when sail is sighted in the horizon.... especially traders would appreciate this!!!