Automap and map marks.

[idbeholdME]

Does anybody actually use them? Pressing M on the automap to mark points of interest, ammo caches, locked doors or a spare Megasphere so you know where they are later?

 

I do it sometimes, especially on larger maps which require backtracking. Somehow, I get the feeling that the vast majority of players don't use them or even know the option is there... But I've always found it a neat and (surprisingly enough) actually useful feature from time to time. Seems like a strange fit for a game like Doom but it just works.

 

And in general, how often do people use the automap? I find myself tabbing to it pretty regularly. It is extremely well made in Doom engine games and can really help you get your bearings in a level and even help with finding secrets etc.

 

Just been wondering about what the general consensus regarding the screen hidden behind the TAB key is.

[Wagi]

I've been trained out of using them ever since Doom95 where automap marks crashed the game.

[Gez]

I use them very rarely, and only on maps where I really get lost.

 

The last time I tried I found they were ridiculously tiny on modern resolutions, and also kind of hard to see depending on color scheme -- the light gray contrasts well with black, but terribly with tan, for example.

[Andromeda]

Heh, I remember this feature exists from time to time but always forget to use it when I need it.

[galileo31dos01]

Automap is an addiction, period.

 

There's only one place where the mark key is my best friend which is in that gigantic castle in Eternal Doom, the YK switch hunt. I could use it more often, it's an utility no one seems to remember it's there for a reason including myself most of the time. 

[rehelekretep]

i use them on teleport heavy maps because i can never recall which ones ive been through

[NuMetalManiak]

The obvious answer is to use them for those special yellow switch puzzle maps from Eternal Doom and Epic 2 (MAP12 and MAP28, respectively). Although markers can have many uses besides that, I prefer to put them in larger levels that have doors that can open for later too.

Also Eternal Doom's markers are green instead of gray on the automap. It's a somewhat neat touch to actually replace the marker graphics to make them more visible.

[JadingTsunami]

I find the Automap is incredibly useful in general.

 

I like finding secrets in a map. In the past, I used automap marks for secrets I hadn't found a way into yet (things like misaligned textures, raised platforms with power-ups, obvious false doors, switches that don't have an clear function, etc). Nowadays I have some modifications that allow clicks on sectors to show their activating lines (and vice-versa) which is really useful when you get stuck or there's that one switch you can't find a use for. Of course, it requires some self-restraint not to turn into full-blown cheating. :)

[elend]

I use them occasionally, to mark key doors, but more often than not I cannot find the mark anymore. It's just... so tiny?! Can I make it bigger?

[Doom_Dude]

I never think to use marks and I don't think I've ever used them.