Wednesday, January 18, 2012

New Navigation Features

Feature Update_________________________________________
This update is mainly about the map and navigation features.

Previously, the map was pretty simple. It showed you where you the places in the region,
and it showed you where you were. Now it's getting an upgrade.


Destination Marker

The first feature in the new map. It will display your current story destination.
It is very useful if you've taken a break from the game, or you've lost your way.

It dynamically updates as you progress along the storyline.
Before you get Eevee, it'll point to Tasto Creek but, after you get Eevee, it'll point to Ventus City.
As shown on the image below.
It's all 100% automatic, so you don't have to fiddle with it.


Blocked Paths

This feature I picked up from Silent Hill actually, a map that puts information on the map as you encounter it. Namely, blocked paths.

As you can see, if you've going along a path, and you find it's blocked, the map will actually mark that down.
The mark appear if you approach the obsticle. You don't need to interact with it, but usually if you're 5-10 steps away, it'll record.

It is very useful for keeping track of which parts of the map you can traverse to. It will recognise all obsticles: cut bushes, bodies of water, rocksmash rocks and even gaurds.


The obsticle markers will automatically dissapear once you can traverse them (eg: get gym badge, axe, pickaxe, surfboard, etc)

Bait Markers
Someone requested this a while ago; it's here now.
Whever you put rare candy in a bait spot, that spot will from then on, appear on your map.
The marker will change if a Pokemon has eaten the candy.
Pink Bait: Rare Candy
Pokeball: Corrupted Pokemon

Now you won't have to rely on your memory.

[Don't have pics right now :/]


Way-Points
Another feature that focuses on making navigation easier on the player. Waypoints.
I first got this off Bioshock, I really liked their automatic waypoints, it saved me from getting extremely lost in the game.

In the game now, you'll be able to enable waypoints.
Translucent arrows that show the way to your next destination.


They work like the map's destination marker, automatically updating whenever your destination changes.
Very handy for people who aren't good with directions, or just want to skim through th game.

Early in the game, you will be asked if you want waypoints.
They will be able to be turned off.