I recently disabled the in-game compass in the .ini files, and I've found that the game experience is a whole lot more fun this way. I didn't even realize that I spent most of my time just staring at the compas, adjusting my course to head towards whatever I was heading for, and jumping over or moving around anything that got in my way. I had tunnel vision, and I just stared at the navigational tool that the game gives you.

It's funny, but I've been an advocate of using the quest markers because I realize that many people sometimes don't have the desire or the time to figure out a confusing quest. I'm one of those people. I wish there was a way to turn them all off by default (instead of new quests defaulting to "on" in your journal, which is annoying), but by and large I think they are nice to use in a pinch. However, I never really thought the compass itself, with it's cardinal directions and little "location" icons, was much of a problem. Boy was I wrong.

Turning that thing off forces you to look around once in a while. Not just take in the pretty scenery for a second, but really look around and try to figure out where the heck you are. It's easy to get lost out there if you don't have a magic compass pointing you exactly where you need to go. Disable it for even ten minutes and try doing a quest, and you'll see what I mean. Personally, I love the new methods I've been forced to implement to find my way around. Very rewarding when you find things, and very fun in the process. Furthermore, you get used to it after a while, and become much more familiar with Skyim's landscapes. You start to recognize things in your environment, and pretty soon the compass isn't even needed anymore. It's amazing.

However, it's easy to get dependent on the map screen too. I try not to use the map, because it has a little arrow on it that shows exactly where I am and which way I'm facing. However, never using the map at all can end up with you wandering around the wilderness for an hour or so, hoping to accident across some road or town that you recognize. Disabling the map entirely just wouldn't work.

So I've adopted a house rule that I've really come to enjoy. Only use the map when I'm standing next to an NPC that knows the area (or should.) Hunters and fishers that have been in the wilderness "for years" are really good examples. When I come across one of those NPCS, I will check my map. This is to simulate the NPC giving me a general idea where I am, and where I'm facing. Also, in towns I will check my map, since there's no reason that an entire city wouldn't know where it is and what's around it. If I find guards posted up at a tower or outpost, I will check my map, etc.

Now this works just fine, and it seems to produce just the right mix of "oh god where the heck am I" and "ok, got it, just right over here," at least for my taste. So I want to suggest the following:

• Create an option to disable the in-game map, but add an option to certain NPCs that allows you to pull up a map instead.

Is this necessary? Of course not. Could I just continue to role play with my own house rules? Certainly. But it would be nice, and it might be a really cool way to play the game. No map available, unless you happen to open up conversation with an NPC that would know where you are. Thoughts?

Great idea IMO. Might give this a try thanks for sharing!

I really like that Idea. I travel by the compass alot. No quest markers, Either because i'm just exploring or I've turned them off. I wish the sun was more noticable, then I really wouldn't use the compass as much.

I'm not much of a modder, but is this the sort of thing that could be modded? Instead of triggering the map by going to it in inventory, add it to NPC dialogue instead?

I mean, I might break open the CK and take a look myself but from what I can tell, it's a very intimidating thing.

for people on consoles i suggest the following method: download a basic map of skyrim and fill it in as you get map updates and then never use the in-game map while trying to find the location.

this has brought a really rewarding feeling for simply finding a place on your own and using the village post markers and terrain.

as well, lower the hud opacity so you can just see the m/h/s bars and grab items without too much difficulty.

I am on a PS3 so I cannot do what you are doing, but I understand where you are coming from. I have been playing with no HUD for about a month now and really love it because I really did not like seeing those compass icons you mentioned. I also do not like being forced to see the sneak crosshair for the same reason. Take it away and you start looking around and listening to what the NPC's are doing/saying. Same with the compass. Turn it off and you pay much more attention to the world around you, landmarks, road signs, geographic features like mountains and rivers, etc.

Yea I often feel sorry for console players. I'm not saying consoles are inferior in any way, I love my PS3 and my 360. However, they are a lot less flexible, and I always recommend people get the PC version if they can.

I just found a mod called the http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=912. It allows you to customize your map, compass, and HUD by opening a little app and adjusting some sliders and checkboxes. It's delightful in every way.