What a difference this makes! : V

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:46 am

I recently installed a mod that removes the compass feature, and let me tell you, I've never felt so immersed! Removing the compass, and the features that show you nearby sites of interest, makes you feel so in-tune with the game. You actually have to explore.

It makes finding new caves, dungeons, etc. so much more exciting and rewarding. Sneaking around the world, just seeing what you can find, having to climb mountains to get your bearings... it's all wonderful.

Just my two cents. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get a little more out of the game.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:03 am

Makes me want to try it again! You can actually accomplish the same thing (disabling the compass) by editing your SkyrimPrefs.ini file and changing the line under [Interface] to read bShowCompass=0 instead of 1.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 7:36 am

Few people realise how many things are shoved in their faces in this game they don`t actually need and that would make their game better without it.

Nice to see you`ve discovered the freedom.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:01 am

Makes me want to try it again! You can actually accomplish the same thing (disabling the compass) by editing your SkyrimPrefs.ini file and changing the line under [Interface] to read bShowCompass=0 instead of 1.

Thanks for the tip! I'd like to turn off the compass but still keep the cross hair. Trying to pick up those damn books without one is a nightmare. Hopefully this will let me do that.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:17 am

I'm using http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=912. At least I can keep the compass with only the cardinal points in it; any traveller needs a compass doesn't he? It also allows you to customize the map.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:43 am

I knew what this thread would be about just from reading the title. :tongue:

You're right. It does make a huge difference. And it also makes me wonder what the hell Bethesda were thinking, releasing the game in such an inferior mode.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:18 am

yall lucky PC players.
on the 360 I just try not to look at it, and of course I turn quest markers off.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:21 am

yall lucky PC players.
on the 360 I just try not to look at it, and of course I turn quest markers off.

You can still change the HUD opacity, can't you?

That also means no crosshair or health bars, but that doesn't make the game as difficult as you might think.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:47 am

Meh.... go one further and turn the HUD completely off.... then turn the music all the way down so you wont hear the 'fwwooompf' sound when you discover a new location. That is immersion.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:54 am

You can still change the HUD opacity, can't you?

That also means no crosshair or health bars, but that doesn't make the game as difficult as you might think.

I prefer to see my health and stamina tho...but I might give it a try

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:03 am

I'm using http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=912. At least I can keep the compass with only the cardinal points in it; any traveller needs a compass doesn't he? It also allows you to customize the map. :wink:

Compass does not bother me as much as others, however, I need to know where North is. I don't mind getting lost, I just need to know what direction I am walking in.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:28 pm

I actually prefer that Bethesda gave us the option to turn of the compass and all quest markers right there in the vanilla game. For maximum immersion, just set the HUD opacity to 0% and turn the crosshair off. There will be no UI elements between skyrim and you

In oblivion you had to download like 4-5 mods to accomplish the same thing.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:03 am

Compass does not bother me as much as others, however, I need to know where North is. I don't mind getting lost, I just need to know what direction I am walking in.

I just check the map periodically and get to know the local landmarks.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:55 am

I just check the map periodically and get to know the local landmarks.

Without a compass when you are in the middle of nowhere, how do you know that you're going north, or south, or west, or east? Do you check the map every five steps?

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:14 am

Without a compass when you are in the middle of nowhere, how do you know that you're going north, or south, or west, or east? Do you check the map every five steps?

That's what landmarks are for.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:08 am

I try to just head in the general direction of where I'm going and if I feel lost or I've walked a long ways, I'll *sit down* and check my map. You end going places you didn't plan too and that's even more immersive for me.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:47 am

Without a compass when you are in the middle of nowhere, how do you know that you're going north, or south, or west, or east? Do you check the map every five steps?

He is assuming everyone walks in a straight line. Games tend to make me walk in circles.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:39 pm

I recently installed a mod that removes the compass feature, and let me tell you, I've never felt so immersed! Removing the compass, and the features that show you nearby sites of interest, makes you feel so in-tune with the game. You actually have to explore.

It makes finding new caves, dungeons, etc. so much more exciting and rewarding. Sneaking around the world, just seeing what you can find, having to climb mountains to get your bearings... it's all wonderful.

Just my two cents. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get a little more out of the game.

Does it diable the overhead map also, cause that is really a big cheat if you think about. Image having to find a town and hire the carriage to get somewhere new. And then you have to step off and explore your surroundings. Perhap only use the map that came with the game for guidence. Unfortunately this game is build on the idea that you must have the map indicators to find locations for quests.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:40 pm

He is assuming everyone walks in a straight line. Games tend to make me walk in circles.

I'm assuming no such thing.

You check your map and pick a distant landmark. As long as you're heading towards that landmark, you're heading in the right direction. It doesn't matter if you're zigzagging or anything like that. And the more often you do it, the more you learn the game world and the less often you even need to check your map.

If I know where I want to go, I now have very little difficulty getting myself into the general area. And if I'm traveling long distances, I often follow the roads. They do a very good job at getting me to where I want to go.

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:00 pm

Without a compass when you are in the middle of nowhere, how do you know that you're going north, or south, or west, or east? Do you check the map every five steps?

Look for the throat of the world for your bearings.

Otherwise, dont assume that being lost is a bad thing, its actually an awesome feeling. I think this is the inneffable quality that people are so fond of from Morrowind, that feeling of having no idea where you were.

» Sun Jun 10, 2012 11:32 pm

I'm assuming no such thing.

This works in the real world, in a game, I walk in circles. So, yes you are assuming something. I even walk in circles with the compass.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:16 am

If I wanted to walk around in circles all the time, I would go back to playing Morrowind! LOL I only have so many hours a day I can play, and I don't have the patience to just go blindly traipsing around the countryside. More power to those who like this sort of thing!

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:52 am

This works in the real world, in a game, I walk in circles. So, yes you are assuming something. I even walk in circles with the compass.

I'm reaching the point in this game where north, south, east and west don't even matter any more. I navigate by landmarks. I spend my time looking at the world instead of the compass. It makes a difference. And that's one of the main reasons I turned it off in the first place. Maybe I just have better spacial awareness than many people, I don't know.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:02 am

Without a compass when you are in the middle of nowhere, how do you know that you're going north, or south, or west, or east? Do you check the map every five steps?

The funny thing is that after a while you start to look at the map less. You check the map, `There`s a river going that way to a village` and you just follow the river.

If you lose your way, check the map again. You certainly don`t check the map every 5 steps. This is what i mean when I say people think they need something that they actually don`t. It`s quite amazing how the Human Brain automatically adapts to the situation.

It`s also immersive for me, like when I really do go cross country with a map. Although I do carry a compass.

All this handholding in a game makes the brain lazy- And I don`t like having a lazy brain.

» Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:21 am

Some people know by visuals and landmarks - for instance me. My wife though knows things by direction and street names. That's the only difference I've found.