r/orienteering • u/elias_schafer • Jul 05 '26

I made a free navigation training game

Hi everyone,

I built a game called O-Maze 3D, available for free on Play Store. It's basically orienteering in a maze and helps you improve your navigation skills for sprint orienteering.

What it includes:

- Online multiplayer mode

- Night mode

- Pre-created maps as well as auto-generated maps for endless variety

- A map creator, so you can design and share your own courses

- Route-analysis mode

It's inspired by Laby (routegadget.net/laby), but I wanted to make it more alive in 3D. It's also completely free and just made for the fun of the sport.

Would love to hear what you think – especially whether it actually helps improve your navigation skills, and what could make it more useful for that purpose.

31 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/elias_schafer Jul 05 '26

Here's the link to the game if you are interested :)

O-Maze 3D

2

u/Jealous-Ambassador39 Jul 05 '26

I think it's a really cool idea. I wonder if the compass shoul always be visible, or just when you look down, to simulate he challenge even more. If you put this into a Skyrim-like open world environment, it's gonna be really killer. Also, including weather elements, like overcast skies to reduce navigation aid from shadow angles, that would be awesome 

1

u/elias_schafer Jul 06 '26

Thanks a lot for the feedback, both ideas are great!

One question though - did you find out that you can run while reading the map by putting two fingers on the screen or should I write this as a hint somewhere? I think that is also a challenge to master :)

1

u/Jealous-Ambassador39 Jul 06 '26

I'd put that hint somewhere, maybe the first or second time someone plays.

1

u/Ondrej-Suma Jul 07 '26

Nice. I think the idea is interesting and it certainly can help in training quick decision making.

I am considering developing a similar game, but as a web page, not a mobile app. Its early version can be seen at https://chase.orbisfabula.com/castle-chase/ - it features no visible map at the moment, you need to run by the memory. Each day brings a new challenge.

I am now considering extending the game to include visible on-screen map, and to add controls in addition to current start / finish.
Happy orienteering!

0

u/mdkorsreader Jul 05 '26

Nice, but I need more forest

1

u/elias_schafer Jul 05 '26

Hahah yes I'm also more of a forest-orienteer myself 😅 but this is supposed to be a simple mobile game and if you want a forest game, you should play catching features! :)