North on the maps does not line up with the spawn maps.
The reason is understandable. The maps are based on real-life locations (modified somewhat). North IRL is North on the map.
The spawn map however, is based on best angle for isometric camera positioned to watch live from the sky. This is not from the south (so North is up), but based on map features (cliffs to north, rivers/ocean to south)
I’m ok with this, but the compass directions need to be clearly indicated on the spawn map to help players orient themselves to the compass directions.
“North of doggy” (we make up names for flags on the spot now) is a lot faster than “Just outside daddy towards flowers”
It’s “less useful now” only because the spawn map doesn’t align, and so it’s harder to develop a natural cardinal direction sense with only compass/in game map.
Having cardinal directions marked on spawn screen would help with that orientation. I still haven’t fully acclimated to the compass yet because of this, and find myself having to explain more rather than calling out a direction.
+1, this bothers me pretty badly and it’s not an unreasonable oversight. I’d prefer to have either the spawn map rotated so that up = north, or the in-game compass rotated so that up on the spawn map = north.
Would like improved compasses in all aspects including the killcard. Rather then saying that building behind the sand due between A and B etc etc I can just say northwest second story
I’d much rather that on the spawn screen, UP = North… however when you look at the maps you can see why. The spawn screen angle is always set for the best birds eye view based on terrain.
As for rotating the compass and map to match spawn screen, that’s very plausible and what I expected should be done… until I realized that the maps are all based on IRL locations and North on compass is North IRL. I wouldn’t be opposed to ‘altering reality’ in this case though as this is the ‘simplest’ and most intuitive solution and worth the geographic inaccuracy IMO, but I can see why it was done the way it was.
Hence the idea for just putting the cardinal directions on the map somehow. Spawn screen can’t be rotated because of 3d isometric birds eye view, and cardinal directions are based on reality.
Funny story: Was playing World of Warships with friends and someone says “lets go North on the map”. Was a big inside running joke for us for a long time, because north is north obviously. Then we get into BF1 and there’s actually a reason to say that. There’s “North Actual” and “North on the [spawn] Map” now.
I think as soon as you know the maps you know exactly where you are when you spawn in. I can’t remember feeling lost or confused or wishing I knew which way North was. Maybe if it’s something you’re used to looking for you can’t live without it. It’s never even occured to me as something I need, I think entirely in terms of where the objectives are.