Should the planetary map show the planet's surface?

[Gamel0rd1]

When looking at a planet's icon via the system map, I can't easily see valleys or mountains. Should the Planetary map also show the landscape, highest and lowest point and temperature of the planet as well as settlement locations?

 

[Miklos Atreides]

When looking at a planet's icon via the system map, I can't easily see valleys or mountains. Should the Planetary map also show the landscape, highest and lowest point and temperature of the planet as well as settlement locations?

Agree with that idea to have a more detailed view when looking at the map. This can be used to identify tactics while appraching a specific site.
The problem hiere can be to get the surface data from the planet generation into this abstract viewing. Therefore only litte changes to get it.
But I love it.

Regards,
Miklos

 

[Insomnia]

Once the planet has been scanned, yes.
However I think it's "on the list"...

 

[Arithon]

I think the planet map could be replaced with a model (basically the ingame planet as viewed from a distance) with the ability to stick navigation pins in it, which could be held as bookmarks.

Okay, so demanding a planet-sized GPS navigation system with 3D hud is a bit of a tall order, but I've seen Frontier do more amazing stuff already.

When you can guys. No pressure.

 

[hunvagy]

I think the planet map could be replaced with a model (basically the ingame planet as viewed from a distance) with the ability to stick navigation pins in it, which could be held as bookmarks.

Okay, so demanding a planet-sized GPS navigation system with 3D hud is a bit of a tall order, but I've seen Frontier do more amazing stuff already.

When you can guys. No pressure.

I would take this even without the actual texture mapping and just on the current model. Since once you plop a waypoint down, you'd know which part of the planet you're at. And would love if said system would share between wings, so navigation towards a landing spot doesn't boil down to "See that ice crack? Which on.. glide mode engaged... nevermind..."

 

[Goose4291]

I voted no.

As an adjustment though, I would propose as a tweak the only way to see the planetary surface fully in the system map would be after you'd carto-mapped it with the detailed surface scanner (giving this infernal machine a use beyond providing you with extra credits at present).

 

[Ian Skippy]

Yes, and hopefully with new mechanics. Remember the concept art for scanning? Have us scan specific regions, and give us the surface of that region.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Nope, but a more accurate colour representation would be nice.

I have heard plans for a planetary scanner. Don't know how this will be implemented, but it would be sweet if the planetary map showed the areas you scanned with this thing. On the other hand, the amount of data that needs to be stored to make that happen, probably means it won't happen.

 

[Khelder]

While sometimes I think I would like the idea of being able to view the terrain before I visit a planet, sometimes the surprise is nice. I do also like the simplicity of the current wireframe model. The simplicity also makes it easier to display markers without interference from surface imagery.

I think the planet map could be replaced with a model (basically the ingame planet as viewed from a distance) with the ability to stick navigation pins in it, which could be held as bookmarks.

Okay, so demanding a planet-sized GPS navigation system with 3D hud is a bit of a tall order, but I've seen Frontier do more amazing stuff already.

When you can guys. No pressure.

Surface Navigation

 

[furrycat]

Yes. The system map already renders planets in 3D - just with an ortographic projection to make it look like a flat map - so it would make sense to have the surface map show the same detail.