Details on the new minimap tracking system
by David Bowers 
Oct 20th 2007 at 5:05PM
In addition to letting us know about the new hunter pets in Patch 2.3, Mania's Arcania (of Petopia fame) has also written up a pretty detailed explanation of how the new minimap tracking system works, with helpful screenshots and everything. We've mentioned this before, but now here are some of the new details she has uncovered for us:- The "!" and "?" quest-giver symbols now show up on the minimap very clearly.
- Clicking on the new magnifying glass button gives you a list of all the different things you can track, including existing tracking abilities, as well as places to repair, buy ammo, aucions, banks, and so on.
- Flight Masters you haven't met yet will always show up, whether you are tracking them or not.
- Quest-givers' "!" symbols disappear from the minimap if their quest is too low-level for you (which is too bad if you are going back for more reputation).
- For hunters: the various creature-tracking abilities now distinguish between neutral and hostile mobs, via yellow and red dots, respectively.
- Special tracking-assistant addons like Gazmik Fizzwidget's famous TrackMenu may no longer be needed.
Filed under: Hunter, Odds and ends, Quests
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
xzor Oct 20th 2007 6:08PM
also, for druid catform tracking at least, i noticed friendly humanoids show up as green now, non-unfriendlies show up as red. as apposed to all showing up as red.
Zakk Oct 20th 2007 7:01PM
Very cool. I've been using TrackMenu, and it's a very good add-on. Its features being implemented into the regular game is definitely awesome. And we even get a whole bunch more features along with it! Always a little sad about deleting now-useless add-ons, though...hehehe...
Chiroptera Oct 20th 2007 7:26PM
I am beginning to think this game is starting to get too easy - with these marks people won't explore or look around - They will go from icon to icon on the map.
Sean Oct 20th 2007 7:38PM
Let me make sure I've got this right. The minimap is going to show flight masters and quest givers you haven't met yet? So much for exploring the world...
I love Cartographer because it remembers what you have seen, but doesn't give away what you haven't. That seems like a much better gameplay solution.
But it sounds like Cart is going to get a good hard hit with the UI Nerf bat with 2.3.
G Oct 20th 2007 9:07PM
I started using Gazmik Fizzwidget's TrackMenu when I rolled a hunter, but it's been nice to use on my mining Warlock just to save a couple of buttons in my bars (wow, my Warlock needs a lot of buttons). Many props to Gazmik! But I certainly won't mind -not- needing any addons. Ever.
That said, I still use Scrolling Combat Text. I tried the built-in FCT when Blizzard added it. Some addons just feel better.
Akuma Oct 20th 2007 11:18PM
-cough- auctions, or auctioneers :) -cough-
Andelorn Oct 20th 2007 11:47PM
So much for exploring the world? Do you even play? I ask this, because I'm unsure of how you could play WoW and not realize that the minimap is a -very- small area around you. As in, if its on your minimap you can see it already unless its hidden behind something. This just helps for people who don't have such a keen eye from missing things they may have before, it won't magically tell you where everything is.
Oh, and this is -only- for the minimap, not the world map. Cartographer plays with the world map, so your problem is moot, as there are no icons being added to the world map.
Nyx Oct 21st 2007 12:41AM
I await the day when WoW has a giant floating arrow that sails you from quest to quest.
I realize these are improvements... but I've been playing since original open beta; I miss the wild and woolly days.
Sean Oct 21st 2007 1:12AM
@7 Yes, I play and I realize that the minimap is but a small slice of life. This just feels like another change to rush people through the low levels and get them stuck in the end game grind.
Wedu Oct 21st 2007 4:50AM
@9, I believe this is not their intention to stuck us in the end game grind. You see, for veteran players it's doesn't matter, because they either know all thats necessary to level their alts, or just don't care, rushing forward, to play new content. For newcomers, these changes will be VERY important, because all the people who can guide them, will be progressing through NEW content such as WotLK.
I've already seen this 'elite' public.. They level their characters either with help of their high level guildies or friends, or, if they can't get such help, they go to their main, until some friends log in. Newbies are not welcome, and its really rare when someone cares to explain to them gameplay basics, what is addons and how to use them, NPC locations, etc..
Nuronv Oct 21st 2007 5:39AM
I think it is worth point out that as others have said it tracks over small area and doesn't mark the main map like it would if you asked an NPC.
For Example i was in IF with my mage yesterday and flicked it on to Reagent Vendors. You more or less have to standing outside the shop before it appears on the minimap.
It isn't noted here but they have also changed the mouse cursor for when you mouse over an NPC. For example if you mouse over someone who can repair it will change to an anvil symbol.
Chris Anthony Oct 21st 2007 8:32AM
@9/Sean: I have a hard time believing that you're seriously complaining about this as a way to "rush people through the low levels". The minimap only shows you mobs within your visual range, so under normal circumstances you would be able to see the yellow (for quest-givers) or green (for flight masters) bang over the mobs' heads anyway. And when normal circumstances don't apply (frex, when the mob in question is behind a wall), this change will save a lot of frustration and wasted time from hunting around for the flight master or a questgiver when we just couldn't see them (frex, the flight masters in Booty Bay). Moreover, it means that fewer people will miss quest-givers in odd places (upstairs in the inn, behind a door, etc.).
The change reduces frustration and wasted time, it increases access to content that people didn't know was there - Sean, how can making the game /more fun/ be a bad idea?
Solidstate Oct 21st 2007 10:18AM
> I've already seen this 'elite' public
@10 don't be so quick to judge... helping the noobs out can get old in a hurry, especially as it is usually random strangers who don't even bother to say "ty". How many times have you answered a random noob question in /1 and not gotten a single "ty"? It's happened to me many times.
Furthermore, in these days of wowwiki and wowhead+Lightheaded, there is really no reason except for laziness why people should not do some basic research on their own.
For the above 2 reasons I no longer answer much on /1. I do answer noob questions on Guild Chat, but I do that in /w and educate the person about wowwiki and wowhead. Teach a man to fish...
Just my $0.02 worth,
Solidstate, EU-Thunderhorn
Wedu Oct 21st 2007 10:49AM
@13, tbh, I don't care for their 'ty', as long as they ask politely. Point is - I've helped someone, I've got one more player to play with, sometime in future. Maybe not, but hey, there is always a chance, and I consider that as good enough reason to help people, even if they don't thank you for that.
Lately, very often I see how people unfamiliar with alliance/horde side, or just the game itself, asking 'noob' questions in /1 and most of the time they're getting stupid jokes, laugh, or misleading comments. I think it's cruel, so personally I'm glad to see these changes coming, even tho I don't need them myself.
/ps and no, this is not realm issue, this is people issue, and it's not even WoW-unique. seen this on boards too.
sloegin Oct 22nd 2007 11:02AM
"I used to walk 5 miles to school, dressed in rags! Oh ya, In the snow! During blizzards! Uphill both ways!"
Geeze, Just listen to yourselves.
Improvements to the UI like these are always winners.