Re:How the brain encodes landmarks that help us navigate
by pugworthy on Wednesday March 18, 2020 @05:46PM
(#22621565)
Back when I worked in game development (level design), I found a really interesting pattern in World of Warcraft.
Basically, if you walked down a path, there would be something distinct every 20 seconds of walking. It might be a big rock on the side of the path, a bend, a little bridge over a creek, etc. Just something.
I think firstly, this served to help you feel like you were going the right way. A long and featureless path makes you wonder if you should turn around. One with features visible in the distance makes you want to keep going to see what's ahead.
Second (and relevant to the article), it helps you with navigation because it gives you easy to remember references.
Basically, if you walked down a path, there would be something distinct every 20 seconds of walking. It might be a big rock on the side of the path, a bend, a little bridge over a creek, etc. Just something.
I think firstly, this served to help you feel like you were going the right way. A long and featureless path makes you wonder if you should turn around. One with features visible in the distance makes you want to keep going to see what's ahead.
Second (and relevant to the article), it helps you with navigation because it gives you easy to remember references.
Another comment to add, separate from the game thing. This reminds me of a patent a co-worker just put out: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/10578449.html