Almost heresy topic - Why you don't need a minimap

Dorreah · September 2018

Hey guys,

I was just wandering about Add-ons and these sort of thing. Sometimes complicated downloads, patches, new version etc. Are they really so necessary? Besides I realized that I don't need minimap at all. And now don't get me wrong! It is a very helpfull tool and nearly necessary aspect of every RPG game. BUT... what are you looking at the most time during the play. Isn't that minimap? Ok, you need to check if there are shards, books, quests etc. But isn't the whole atmosphere of the game, every detail, sound, buildings, hidden jokes... just overlooked thanks to constant checking your way? You can always check the map when you stop for a while and look at it. I threw away that minimap recently and the game just felt a bit more immersive thanks to focusing on details. No more haste with capturing/taking everything around me and that kind of stuff. Well, maybe it is just my changed attitude to gaming (you know, to play more chillin' way) but still... Maybe this is the reason why the original game doesn't include minimap, just that quest compas, for a reason - to enjoy the game with less haste (or something).

What do you think about it?
Anyway, have a good time playing ESO!

Beardimus · September 2018

I get ya, but people don't seem to want to play that way , they want to grind / power level / rush through it all.

The place I'd like a mini map is PVP for seeing group mates. But its not vital

DeadlyRecluse · September 2018

Minimaps aren't Elder Scrollsey to me, so I don't use one. No hate for those that do.

Dorreah · September 2018

Beardimus wrote: »

The place I'd like a mini map is PVP for seeing group mates. But its not vital

Yeah, exactly. I was talking more about "non-competive" content

It is not bad from time to time just play casual and have fun.

Ilsabet · September 2018

I find glancing up at the little map in the corner less disruptive than stopping and hitting M and having the map take up the entire screen every time I don't know where the hell I'm going. Which happens a lot.

Hippie4927 · September 2018

I need the mini-map because I am directionally challenged. Even if I'm just trying to get to the stables to upgrade my mount, without the mini-map I will wind up on the opposite side of the map from where I need to be.

Turelus · September 2018

As long as everything has a toggle, I have no issues with people playing the way they want.

Easily_Lost · September 2018

I like the mini map because … well look at my characters names. LOL

And as far as "complicated downloads, patches, new version etc.". That's what Minion is for.

sudaki_eso · September 2018

As a console player who cant use add ons i can say non of them are needed, they help but you certainly dont need any of those

VaranisArano · September 2018

I use the minimap two ways.

1. PVP - excellent for tracking my group
2. PVE - in dungeons, excellent for tracking my group. Its really useful for seeing when somebody is lagging behind or stopped to talk to the quest NPC. I'll wait for them, but the minimap make it a lot easier than opening my map.

Dorreah · September 2018

VaranisArano wrote: »

I use the minimap two ways.

1. PVP - excellent for tracking my group
2. PVE - in dungeons, excellent for tracking my group. Its really useful for seeing when somebody is lagging behind or stopped to talk to the quest NPC. I'll wait for them, but the minimap make it a lot easier than opening my map.

I should say that I was talking about "minimap and casual content". In PvP and PvE it is realy helpful tool

starlizard70ub17_ESO · September 2018

Mini maps are great for, PvP and when you're in one of those multi level dungeons looking for the skyshard, boss or quest object. Most of the rest of the time it's just there and I ignore it.

Chilly-McFreeze · September 2018

DeadlyRecluse wrote: »

Minimaps aren't Elder Scrollsey to me, so I don't use one. No hate for those that do.

And yet TES 3 had them.

LordKelsier · September 2018

They are not needed per se, but they make live easier.

I still use the big map constantly, but especially in dungeons or PvP (where you want to track movements of your teammates) it's much quicker to have a glance at it.

As for exploration: You can still do it, even when using a minimap. It's one of the main reasons I play this game, there is always something new to see or experience. After years I still haven't finished the main story (though I am in Cadwells Gold by now

).

Addons as a whole just provide a great value imho. I am currently using 67 of them and I wouldn't want to miss a single one of them :P

RD065 · September 2018

I use a mini map for one reason to show me the way instead of bringing up the Map (M) all the time and upcoming wayshines that I haven't been to yet. And it's not to rush, I explore all the time without the minimap at all (I run more often than get on my mount). But when I'm on a quest I want to get done it helps.