Latest Crucible Patch Finally Implements A Mini-Map

One of the Crucible's most-requested features is finally live. Well, it's live for a game that was live and now is in a closed beta, but you know what we mean.

Today's patch notes lead off with the big news: "Our initial implementation of a mini-map is in!" Hallelujah! It's in the upper-left corner of the screen, which means that the compass, which duplicated much of the same information, has been removed. For even easier navigation and communication, contextual pings have been added, supported by 2,000 new voice lines across all characters.

(As an aside, this makes me wonder ... if so many other games are proceeding with new voice acting, why can't ArenaNet do it? Or are all those other companies being unsafe about it and ArenaNet is the only fully responsible one?)

Another goal with this patch is for matches to be easier to understand, with planetary events being broken out into two categories: scenarios and objectives. Scenarios last throughout the match, while objectives are limited-time events that last for a set period of time. And, if you can't get enough Crucible, check out yesterday's Rahi & Brother story.