Mapping the map or a little bit of exploration

[Malcolm3]

A long time ago there was a problem with finding your position on the map, especially during the long voyages in open sea without seeing any landmarks.
That problem was solved by using F11 coordinates and third party services (usually the excellent na-map.netlify.com by @Felix Victor). Also that facilitated relaying your precise position (or enemy position) to your friends, using the same method (even in battle you could press F11 and get the coordinates).

But then Devs changed the game by introducing GPS-like Sextant perk and removing coordinated from F11 bug reporting interface. Since that players don't have problems with finding your position on the map (even in low visibility) providing they spent points for Sextant Perk, but instead it became much more harder to inform other people of your whereabouts.

That problem is even more hard, not only because you can't now get your position during the battle, but also because there are not so many names and other marks on the main map, from which you could take bearing (especially with some places far from ports or when there are too many islands around).
As a result even with battle opened due to BR difference you might not be able to get help because your friends can't find the battle.

The problem described here can be solved either by players themselves, either by the devs:

1. Players can take some static map and simple put names to important landmarks (mountains for examle), capes, points, bights and bays, shallows, reefs, cays etc. Just like I did as example with Bay of Honduras using Shrouded Recluse's Map and various contemporary and modern maps.

However there are some problems with that method:

• It's sometimes quite hard work to find right names for right places and put them on the map (it took me 2 days for mapping the Honduras Bay)
• Ingame map is a bit different from real map - for example, looking at the Honduras Bay there is no Bensalem island, and Turneffe Island is actually duplicated
• You still will need 3rd party things (printed map or digital map opened in another screen)

2. Devs can uprade ingame map introducing 2-layer map. First layer is standard currently used not very detailed map - it is visible to all. Second layer is much more detailed nautical map with all features named, with contour lines and even proper depth sounding marks (sometimes), with some designated lanmarks  (including forts) etc. Just like real nautical map of Age of Sail.

To see that second layer players have to sail through the map opening it just like lifting Fog of War in some games - the area opened is defined by visibility range (already calculated by the game).
As a result players will get real motivation to explore the map by sailing to the various places. Also, there are some other possibilities to improve the game with this new feature:

• If Devs decide to add some hidden coves, careening places etc, as it was suggested many times before, they can add them only to that 2nd layer, also raising the motivation to explore the Caribbean.
• Introducing of new type of Loot or Admiralty store items - maps. You could loot the map (usable item) from enemy or buy it in Admiralty for CM and, after using it, open random or certain portion of detailed map.
• Adding the long time ago requested possibility to put some notes on the map by player.

And here players could help by mapping the map themselves first, so developers can then add their names and create suggested 2-layers map system much more easier and faster.

Edited April 1, 2020 by Malcolm3

[Macjimm]

I  think the intent of removing the F-11 coordinates was to make it harder for players to communicate their location. 

It is actually fairly easy if;  you keep track of your position, AND your mates are able to do the same.  But removing the F-11 made it difficult to communicate your location because most players cannot use a map with a grid: they need a simplified system - (Like the GPS Sextant perk).  If you and your mates have a grid map and use the GPS Sextant perk it is very simple.  Compare the ingame map to the grid map. You can also use NA-map but it takes a few seconds longer.   Also, anyone with just a little skill at navigating can use the maps quickly without the GPS Sextant perk.   

I agree, there is no way to determine your position from inside a battle instance, unless you can see a landmark.  Jamaica - Old Landmarks

I

Edited April 2, 2020 by Macjimm

[Malcolm3]

14 hours ago, Macjimm said:

I  think the intent of removing the F-11 coordinates was to make it harder for players to communicate their location. 

It is actually fairly easy if;  you keep track of your position, AND your mates are able to do the same.  But removing the F-11 made it difficult to communicate your location because most players cannot use a map with a grid: they need a simplified system - (Like the GHS Sextant Perk).  If you and your mates have a grid map and use the GPS Sextant perk it is very simple.  Compare at the ingame map to the grid map. You can also use NA-map but it takes a few seconds longer.   Also, anyone with just a little skill at navigating can use the maps quickly without the GPS Sextant perk.   

That's the one of the main points of mine suggestion - we both know where we are and don't know where we are, because there are no detailed maps (with or without grid, though maps with grid is of course better).
Also constant tracking their postions is easy for experienced players, but not for new ones who get tagged unexpectedly and can't ask for help properly. Hence  - the need of more detailed and more "nautical" map ingame, that culd be made as 2nd layer to the current map as motivation to the exploration activities devs talked about in the very beginning

14 hours ago, Macjimm said:

Jamaica - Old Landmarks

And that's exactly that I proposed (and did to Bay of Honduras) - if devs are not going to improve the map, then we should do it ourselves.

Edited April 2, 2020 by Malcolm3

[Montagnes]

The fog of war idea would fit perfectly in NA, making sailing way more interesting as you discover parts of the map.

[Sparkydog]

You can take an exact bearing by drawing the line with your compass on the map. You can therefore very specifically communicate your position to anybody. If a noob gets tagged and doesn’t know where he is- it’s because he’s a noob.

[Malcolm3]

12 hours ago, Sparkydog said:

You can take an exact bearing by drawing the line with your compass on the map. You can therefore very specifically communicate your position to anybody. If a noob gets tagged and doesn’t know where he is- it’s because he’s a noob.

It is a bit hard to take and communicate bearing from unnamed piece of land in the middle of other such unnamed features, especially when you are being tagged and countdown has already started.

[SnovaZdorowa]

Грид с номерами квадратов конечно очень хотелось бы. Когда ты под тагом включить карту, понять с какого порта давать курс, какой он будет, посмотреть расстояние, написать руками все это в чат - ну практически невозможно. Далеко от берегов практически нереально.

Единственный выход - быстро выложить скрин с пометкой каким-нибудь специализированным софтом.

Но есть такое наблюдение, что шанс, что кто-то придет невысок. А в ТС можно и так объяснить, куда как откуда ты ехал.

[Macjimm]

5 hours ago, Malcolm3 said:

It is a bit hard to take and communicate bearing from unnamed piece of land in the middle of other such unnamed features, especially when you are being tagged and countdown has already started.

Right on Macolm!    It's almost impossible to figure out where you are, and communicate it, after you are being tagged.     You need to know where you are at all times. 

If you can navigate without the GPS sextant perk, tracking your location is a process that you do continuously and it keeps you very busy.  It's a lot easier when you can sight a landmark.  But, because you keep track of where you are, you can Alt Tab to the grid map and note the co-ordinates even from inside the batttle.

If you are using the GPS sextant perk, you can screen shot the ingame map quickly just before you are tagged, but even with the GPS sextant perk it is wise to always keep track of where you are.

[Cetric de Cornusiac]

We should appoint Malcolm to "Royal cartographer". Carry on.