With GU 50, we'll see The Shadow Odyssey go live. But that isn't all there will be on November 18th. One of the new features that everyone will get is the new map system!

The map system has been completely reworked and there's a new main screen with a fresh new look. All of the overland maps have been redone as well! The various city scenes are more detailed than ever before.

There's also a new POI (point of interest) directory. It works with outside POI's as well, and this will be beneficial to folks who use add on's such as EQ2Maps. You'll be able to drop custom POI's into your map directory and have them appear. Your POI will also blink on the main map, and set a waypoint while in the same zone.

 

To compliment the new functionality, you can also search the map. There's a wildcard function as well so you can either check specifically for a merchant or just search for shops in general and have them appear before you.

One of the things that was always limiting in the past was the inability to navigate maps outside the zone in which you were. That is no more!

Now you can go to the main map and search throughout Norrath. You can use the drop down menu at the top, or you can simply click the name of the region you wish to explore.

The main map screen is also sizeable so you can make it as small or large as you like and even run through game with it always on your screen.

There's also a minimap now! It can also be sized as well as adjusted like all your other UI windows to be as opaque or transparent as you like. It will show you the zone you're currently in, and will even give you an arrow pointing to your destination if it's off the screen! Another feature of the minimap is the ability to scroll in and out by using the mouse wheel. You can also move it to different locations on your screen by holding down the shift key and dragging to your location of choice.