RL map ASCII symbols for uncommon objects

[SomeGuy]

Hi there.

I would like to ask to the community about opinion for different ASCII symbols for uncommon objects in the map.
I will be using the typical symbols for common items in Nethack or Rogue:
# Walls
· floor (the high point, not the common point)
) weapons
! potions
[ armors
% food / corpses
? scrolls
! potions
= rings and jewelry
* gems
$ gold

Monsters use letters as usual.

But within my RL there are some items that there not appear in other RLs, so I would thank some ideas on good ASCII (preferably NOT unicode) symbol for it.

The items are:

- A Map-to-Map teleport : it is not a pickable item. When the player walks in, it gets teleported to another level. It is basically stairs down, with the only difference that once the player gets to the new level, there is no way back.

- A Cell-to-Cell teleport: the same as before, but it teleports to another place in the same map. I need this to use a different symbol to the previous one, so the player know what type of teleport is.

- Enchanting Shrine: it's a map cell, again, not pickable. When the player walks in it gets some magical effects. I think I could use here the Nethack's shrine symbol, but maybe there is another one that could be more exciting xD

- Arrows: the player can use a bow. Arrows are limited and they can be scarcely found. I'm not sure the symbol that is commonly used, or even if there is one. I think something like | or / or \ could be ok...

- Throwing axes: same as Arrows, but I would like it to have a different symbol that is easy to understand and not get confused with arrows. I would say that / for arrows and \ for axes would be ok?

- Shield: I think I saw a RL with shields but I'm not sure. Whatever, which symbol would fit it well? Actually I want shields to have different symbols than armor since shields work different than in other RLs and are not really equipped as in other RL's

- Other misc decorative items that are not that important: Fire brazier, Wooden Barrel, Medieval Torture table (something like you see in Braveheart)


I would prefer to use symbols instead of letters because monsters are already letters and it can lead to confusion.


Thanks a lot.

[Krice]

Ascii has limitations. You have to pick up an unused character or use different color. Altar/shrine is often _ so that one is clear.

[TheCreator]

- Throwing axes: same as Arrows, but I would like it to have a different symbol that is easy to understand and not get confused with arrows. I would say that / for arrows and \ for axes would be ok?

No, at least not for me. I don't distinguish between / and \ in roguelikes. They are both arrows for me. But you are not forced to use plain ASCII. You can use Unicode characters as well, for example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscellaneous_Symbols

[konijn_]

Greetings,

you should really play with Drawbox on Shapecatcher: http://shapecatcher.com/index.html

When I drew what I would use for a portal, i came up with

'Closed intersection with serifs' in the mathematics block:
http://shapecatcher.com/unicode/info/10829
or even
http://shapecatcher.com/unicode/info/10831

You could use the 'White Shogi Piece' for the other teleport function, not sure they are sufficiently distinct:
That one is found here: http://shapecatcher.com/unicode/info/9750

Shrine and/or arrow:
Any from these: http://shapecatcher.com/unicode/block/Ugaritic

Shield:
http://shapecatcher.com/unicode/info/5596

Have fun, this can be a real time sinker ;P

T.

[SomeGuy]

Thanks for all answers.

The problem is that I want to make is as "Rogue"-like as possible, and using custom symbols or non ASCII characters will make it less Rogue-ish or Nethack-ish

But I think I can make some exception with teleports.

[TheCreator]

The problem is that I want to make is as "Rogue"-like as possible, and using custom symbols or non ASCII characters will make it less Rogue-ish or Nethack-ish

...Because everyone dreams of just another clone of Rogue or Nethack that doesn't have any distinctive features? As long as you conform to the genre standards that you've listed in your first post, nobody should object at "weird" symbols for several not-so-standard objects.

[NON]

The problem is that I want to make is as "Rogue"-like as possible, and using custom symbols or non ASCII characters will make it less Rogue-ish or Nethack-ish

...Because everyone dreams of just another clone of Rogue or Nethack that doesn't have any distinctive features? As long as you conform to the genre standards that you've listed in your first post, nobody should object at "weird" symbols for several not-so-standard objects.

Well, who says he tries to make a game for everyone? I think there is too much focus on making your game popular and user-friendly nowadays. You can create a game entirely around your individual taste, and making a purist Roguelike is a perfectly fine and noble endeavor.

[SomeGuy]

...Because everyone dreams of just another clone of Rogue or Nethack that doesn't have any distinctive features? As long as you conform to the genre standards that you've listed in your first post, nobody should object at "weird" symbols for several not-so-standard objects.

Well, who says he tries to make a game for everyone? I think there is too much focus on making your game popular and user-friendly nowadays. You can create a game entirely around your individual taste, and making a purist Roguelike is a perfectly fine and noble endeavor.

You both have a point.

The game I'm almost going to release the first beta tomorrow, or maybe even today if I got time enough, is quite different from Rogue and all classic RL's in many game mechanics. It is not D&D at all and some people may get hard to adapt or even enjoy the rpg system.

But I want the map symbols to be as close to Rogue as possible, so there is no need to learn or read manuals or even "examine" that item to know if ")" is a weapon or something else.