Openra: Add a “Minimap Always On” checkbox

[Punsho]

Originally this feature wasn't wanted because of the minimap resource bug, but as it has been fixed there really isn't a reason to delay it. Modern CnC titles and RTS games in general have minimap unlocked right from the start of the game, it is big but simple modern feature OpenRA is missing out on. It helps players to navigate better on large maps and help in general for users of small viewports

It is best done with a checkbox as minimap reveals the position you are on the map, and certain game modes are best played not knowing your position. There are additionally quite a few people who feel like minimap being tied to radar is a very iconic CnC feature

As a consequence of having this checkbox enabled mobile radar jammer would not block radar if got close dome, but it is a pretty dull and uninteresting feature in the first place

[pchote]

The resource and bridge information leaking through the fog apply to enabling "explored map" by default.

The main argument against "Minimap always on" is that it does not fit within the C&C world.

[Punsho]

this new checkbox would be disabled by default, same way "explored map" is

The bridge visibility bug hasn't been solved yet.

Map design has evolved in such a way that it bridges are never a core part of the map. There are very few maps that are would be affected by this "exploit" and if people feel like it ruins the map they can just choose to not tick the box. If they even notice this bug that is

[matjaeck]

13629 / #14325 / #9422

[Smittytron]

I have several issues with this, including that it's not true to the original

• This reduces the power of already rare radar rush builds.
• This makes early game attacks even harder than they already are to pull off. Defenders advantage is strong enough as it is.
• Too many checkboxes.
• I'm opposed to a ruleset split as maintaining one game mode is already time consuming enough. (#16699)

[Punsho]

goat

well I mean I think its connected; eg most people dont really use the minimap in openra because it is locked behind the radar, so most people just get used to not using it (plus it isnt really that needed in openra compared to a lot of other games). I mean we even see a lot of people who just straight up unpower the radar as soon as they build it. so its possible that gating the minimap behind the radar has made the people care even less about it. you argue its a mechanic, but the counter argument is that it is a mechanic that no one uses, so I believe that by having a permanent minimap it is more likely that more people will actually use it
so on one hand I dont think really the change is necessary at all, but I dont really see any downsides to it
and I reckon it would lead to more players using it

[netnazgul]

On top of what Smitty said, it makes powering Radar Dome completely redundant (if only for small percentage of players who might use it as vision provider), so basically it will be unpowered every time it is built. Either tech access should be tied to tech buildings being powered (possibly for TC as well), or the powerdown feature removed from Radar Dome.

[Punsho]

The main argument against "Minimap always on" is that it does not fit within the C&C world.

CnC's after RA2, the 3rd generation made minimap either available from the get go or tied it to construction yard, what is basically the same. They also removed shroud and added fog of war along with it. So it is a bit disingenuous to have added fog of war but not taken new minimap design that went with it. Unless people consider this bad design I don't see how it differs

• This reduces the power of already rare radar rush builds.
• This makes early game attacks even harder than they already are to pull off. Defenders advantage is strong enough as it is

I strongly disagree with these points, same goes with most people who responded. While they are technically true they are extremely misleading, half-truths. First of all in early game people don't lose because they didn't notice something, but lose because they didn't scout in the right place or didn't respond properly. Having minimap won't help these factors considerably.

Having minimap doesn't equal instant advantage. For one to properly utilise it he must develop certain hard skills. It is not an easy task to be constantly looking the minimap while microing at the same time. Of course it is more complicated as minimap actually does provide certain advantages out of the box, like showing your position on the map and allowing you move your camera instantly if you click on it. But unless you're playing on a huge map, or with shroud on a map you don't know, these advantages are negligible. Considering the points above one can also see why it has negligible affects on radar rush. These 2 are very poor reasons for not implementing it

Too many checkboxes.

While we are gathering more and more checkboxes what is definitely undesirable, this is a good candidate for an additional one. It seems to be a pretty clear divide, as having minimap locked behind dome is a very iconic 1st and 2nd generation CnC feature, but it is also bad ux and game design that future CnC's fixed. Checkboxes are kinda made to fix issues like this