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First time posting here, loving the game enough that I signed up to post and to discuss this. I think that if a mini map were to be implemented, it would be pretty sick, but should be implemented as a research-able module that attaches to your arm instead later down the line (doesn't waste backpack space). That way there would be an additional sense of game/ tech progression, where you start out using the primitive methods of path finding (line of beacons/ looking at stars/ compass), slowly upgrade towards better path finding methods aka cartography and then start pushing towards GPS technology. If a mini map feature is added in the future, it could open up other features/tech trees that further extends the longevity of the game itself. ex. tech layout Starting/Primitive period - Usage of beacons to create basic paths, study the stars and planet positions, usage of personal compass Research Basic cartography period - Create map module with limited features, have top-down terrain projection limited to players pov of the horizon (mini map with you at center and your horizon = map boundary, or make it a set distance), include the home icon but no other icons (just pure terrain + home). Attach to arm and not use backpack space? Have the module be brought up like the research windows when you click on it (hotkey M?), or like a pipboy from fallout? Research additional cartography features - Upgrade of map module range (stick an antenna on it?) and add the ability to track beacons/ home/ ship icons on map when in those objects are in the Map's range (outside of characters horizon range/ distance) Early Space age cartography period - Research and fabricate the GPS satellite block, carry and release out with mid sized rocket while orbiting the planet, have the ability to build/customize the satellite like you would with a rover (Research chamber (more bytes in space?), Solar cells, Battery, Camera... etc?). The satellite could then add zooming properties to the map module, have the ability to spot/show home, beacons, resource icons. Additionally, now that we've arrived at the space age of cartography, we'd have upgrade to the map module's next evolution which is to fabricate a screen/monitor big enough that it needs external power + transported on a rover or just placed on platform. (Just fabricate the screen and stick the module on it, print another to put on the arm if character far away from screen/monitor) Also, to further sprinkle some difficulty, having the satellite orbiting the planet, means you can only get the pros of the satellite's abilities when it is passing over you (add cool down timer?). To overcome the satellite downtime issue, you would need to saturate the skies with enough satellites that there wouldn't be down times when spotting resource icons. This could be then up to the devs to set a limit of how many GPS satellites you would be need to saturate planets orbit (10? 20? 100?). Late Space age cartography period - The next stage would be getting online Large GPS satellites that can only be brought into space only with Large space shuttles. You would need less of them to saturate the orbit of a planet, have more space to customize them. Gain additional ability to ping the map module of a specific location (have a laser light from outer space?) show up at the scene of the ping mark. Could also have add on's that can Only fit on large satellites that can spot/ show home, beacons, dangerous plants (red dot), debri (yellow dots), icons for Alien temple landmarks, resource nodes and subsurface nodes with depth measurements ((LIDAR?) too op/broken endgame object?) Late Late game, Space age?- Load up the Satellite with a dynamite launcher? troll your friends and shoot at them from space? blast at dangerous plants from space? Large Satellite laser drills? Like a space 3d cutter that carves the planet, can draw/design things to be carved with your Map screen ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ idk or 3d print things. (design and place in space a complex power array to power space laser?(super power hungry)) Create Space station+Satellite extension? (space base) More bytes gained from researching samples in space station? Space elevator that connects to station/ satellite? (A large Monument/Wonder, Large construction project?) Space dock that connects to elevator? ship resources to parked ships, reduced ship thruster damage when parked in space Right now as the game stands, it's kind of lacking on the space content, things are mostly done on the ground/underground, so adding more space gameplay would be pretty cool (manually flying ship?). The skies the limit with your imagination. The beauty of this game is that research and technology tier evolution is a part of the gameplay, things do get get phased out and become obsolete, but they're still usable in some practical way. If something like a mini map/ cartography system is implemented, you could still just play through the game with the path finding method of Starting primitive period while not exploring/ investing resources into the whole cartography tree, but it can be there off on the side as a gimmick that could later be explored to further enhance your gameplay. Again these are just some basic ideas/ game layout suggestion that just kept bouncing around my brain while I was playing this game.

I can make a mini map. When I leave far from the base, I lose the base and I have to start a new game.