Floor dropdown on the beta map interface hints at instance maps
Aug 14th, 2008
But this also suggests an even bigger change: including maps of instances in the official interface. Since launch, Blizzard hasn't ever shown us ingame instance maps (though we're not sure why -- maybe they want to require players to explore instances rather than follow a map through them). But lately, addons like Atlas have made them easily available to players, so maybe Blizzard has decided it's time to map out dungeons as well. We'll have to see what use they put this new dropdown to.
Recent Posts
- Wealth category removed from Armory statistics (12/03/2008)
- Debuff limit removed (12/03/2008)
- Ghostcrawler and Vaneras on the classes that GMs play (12/03/2008)
- Child's Play auctioning off a Warcraft Wolfrider statue (12/03/2008)
- Wrath Dailies: Preparing for the Worst (12/03/2008)
Debuff limit removed
Chinese MMO accused of stealing art from World of Warcraft, others
Realms up after extended maintenance
Downtime extended to 1 O'Clock PST
The Guild episode 2 of season 2 out now
Wrath Dailies: Preparing for the Worst
The Queue: Trinkets, sigils and death by Orcs
Encrypted Text: Emblem of Heroism rewards for Rogues
Guildwatch: "I'm a #(*$ing fantastic Rogue"
15 Minutes of Fame: Disabled player goes hands on with joystick
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-14-2008 @ 5:38PM
Xoshe said...
You know, I just don't see the connection. How exactly does an option to display multiple floors suddenly equate dungeon maps? That seems like a really big leap to me.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 5:40PM
SeiferTim said...
Faster than a speeding elekk...able to leap to conclusions in a single post! ;)
8-14-2008 @ 5:57PM
onslaughtq said...
What's really interesting is the triangle pieces you get from the bosses, along with certain areas that are now only accessible through the Engineering made hook shot.
8-14-2008 @ 6:06PM
jay said...
Yeah, he's saying maybe, it's all speculation so far. It could very well mean the the latter of this article. When you think about it, there a quite a few dungeons, if not most of them that have different levels to them.
Even to this day when I enter wailing caverns I get lost lol and on the odd occasion I wished I had a map tbh.
(I know about atlas, but I'm probably one of the few that doesn't really like it)
8-14-2008 @ 6:20PM
Koohkies said...
pure win comment
8-14-2008 @ 5:39PM
epsilon343 said...
Never understood why they wouldn't include maps, it feels like an arbitrary barrier instead of something that feels more "natural." Couldn't they just make it so that there's a map or something at the end of the instance that you can use to "learn" the instance for subsequent runs?
Either way, this looks promising at getting some more functionality out of the map.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 5:51PM
luchifer said...
I guess to have more freedom building instances, for example like karazhan, with a lot of stairs, upper and lower and who know, perhaps translocating orbs... and that is hard to translate into a map.
8-14-2008 @ 5:58PM
Xoshe said...
Well, the thing is, the maps ARE already in the game, after all. They're just only used for the minimap.
8-14-2008 @ 5:45PM
Yell-O said...
Maps finally going 3D.
NICE!
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 5:56PM
MazjinYrael said...
If you're correct, this is awesome. Anyone whos ever tried to explore SSC their first time there knows how much this will help.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 6:15PM
mizatt said...
It'd be about damned time. unfortunately people stopped running BRD a long time ago
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 7:22PM
vlad said...
hmm. didnt wotlkwiki and mmo-champion allready cover this thoroughly over 12 hours ago?
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 8:20PM
RogueJedi86 said...
Just 12 hours? That's FOREVER. And mmo-champion reported it? Hm, you'd think wowinsider would link to mmo-champion in their article in that case........OH WAIT THEY DID.
8-14-2008 @ 7:44PM
DJScythe17 said...
I know a lot of commenters are claiming this is huge leap, but a few signs point to it not being. I'm not 100% sure of this, but weren't indoor (including dungeon) mini-maps introduced a few patches back? These also had a layering element (for example, going through different floors of Stratholme change the mini-map to accommodate the floor you're on), complementing with the beta floor based maps. Although I doubt we'll get anything like Atlas, it isn't too unbelievable that we'll get something like the rough overworld maps that fill in as you explore that we have now.
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 1:43AM
Urosh said...
I hope so :p
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 5:36AM
Finnicks said...
I don't see why they can't just let the Achievement for the instance unlock the instance map. Once you've completed the instance, you get the full map for future use.
Keeps initial exploration fun, while giving us an aid for future delves.
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 9:27AM
blazenor said...
I like the ideal of dungeons maps in the game, but I feel you should get maps (kind of like keys) of dungeons after a complete run through.
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 1:30PM
Slarti said...
When examining the new Lua code for this floor stuff, I stumbled over many new API functions like GetNumDungeonMapLevels or GetCurrentMapDungeonLevel. Since "Dungeon" is usually equivalent to "Instance", I suspect that this functionality is indeed primarily intended for instance maps.
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 4:01PM
Bromnir said...
Now, see, THAT is compelling evidence! Until I read this comment, I thought this was just a load of wishful thinking. Now I'm atwitter with anticipation!
8-16-2008 @ 3:59PM
Codexx said...
I always assumed the workload to go back and do those dungeons was too much. After all, could they not simply implement a system where you can not see parts of the dungeon? As far as I know, the only Discovered: Area part of the dungeon is when you first step into it. Couldn't this open up the first portion, and the killing of a boss open up the area between the start and that boss? Or even link it to reputations. If you're exalted with Sporregar, you'll have all of Underbog mapped out.
At the very least, we need maps released online and/or a way for map mods to track locations inside instances. Instance maps lack the Blizzard style and don't allow you or your party to be positioned, which is kind of a pain.
Reply