LookZoom and Step Up

[Big Shasta]

I'd like to formally suggest and request OPTIONS to enable/disable a FORM of LookZoom as provided in the mod Zoom Button Reborn, as well as integration for single block "step up".

I'd like for these to be integrated into the game in a way that is allowed on all servers. As it stands for me at least, each server is different regarding Zoom Button, and the version of Step Up I'm using isn't working unless the mod is integrated server side. 

I shouldn't have to explain or justify any of this. Regarding Step Up, it's 2025 and pressing space 100000000 per game session just isn't going to bode well for us as we go on in life. This should have been a feature from day one imo. I have no clue how any of you play like this and when your hands start hurting later in life, remember Shasta told you so. 

Regarding lookzoom it's a little more contentious I suppose, but the fact is that some people play on smaller monitors and notebooks... I think I saw people talking about playing this on steamdeck?? ... either way, with smaller screen SIZES (not to be confused with resolution) - it's hard to see details even a modest number of blocks away in this game. The Vanilla implementation should use the same exact FOV method to save resources, perhaps with a slightly weaker Zoom. ...Spotting crops, resin, wolf ears/tails, drifters - isn't going to imbalance anything imo, if anything it will make the absurd world gen make some mechanical sense - where the superfluous amounts of crappy shrubs absolutely everywhere would significantly reduce the usefulness of the Zoom - until a player sufficiently homesteads an area. ...It's a good idea it needs no more justification imo. 

Look I'm aware that this is the internet and likely some people feel like their identities are entwined with this game. Many people online try to challenge others just to waste everyone's time, but not me - this is my statement and it's complete. I CERTAINLY don't EXPECT ANY attention and care from the staff of this project - especially considering the plodding cadence of updates...

Never the less - these 2 features would help make the game healthier and more comfortable for players (aka Customers) of all ages and even those with smaller scale gaming setups.

That's Objective. 

See you busy bodies on the HIGHGROUND

Edited July 18, 2025 by Big Shasta

[Facethief]

Why do you TYPE like that? You know there’s bold and italics, right?

[Teh Pizza Lady]

13 minutes ago, Facethief said:

Why do you TYPE like that? You know there’s bold and italics, right?

Which... they used... and calling it out kind of detracts from the overall post. I'm just confused on what issue you have.

6 hours ago, Big Shasta said:

I shouldn't have to explain or justify any of this. Regarding Step Up, it's 2025 and pressing space 100000000 per game session just isn't going to bode well for us as we go on in life. This should have been a feature from day one imo. I have no clue how any of you play like this and when your hands start hurting later in life, remember Shasta told you so. 

The other block game has had this feature since 900BC. I think it should be integral to any block game. Also have you tried the Verticality mod? It allows you to crawl through small spaces or climb cliff faces up to 2 blocks tall (3 if you jump). It doesn't solve your problem at ALL, but it's a very fun mod to use (and potentially game breaking in a certain area).

6 hours ago, Big Shasta said:

Regarding lookzoom it's a little more contentious I suppose, but the fact is that some people play on smaller monitors and notebooks... I think I saw people talking about playing this on steamdeck?? ... either way, with smaller screen SIZES (not to be confused with resolution) - it's hard to see details even a modest number of blocks away in this game. The Vanilla implementation should use the same exact FOV method to save resources, perhaps with a slightly weaker Zoom. ...Spotting crops, resin, wolf ears/tails, drifters - isn't going to imbalance anything imo, if anything it will make the absurd world gen make some mechanical sense - where the superfluous amounts of crappy shrubs absolutely everywhere would significantly reduce the usefulness of the Zoom - until a player sufficiently homesteads an area. ...It's a good idea it needs no more justification imo. 

Having it be optional would better fit with the culture of Vintage Story. Perhaps a small telescope item that you can make early copper age?

Make copper sheet.
Use copper sheet with soldering iron in crafting grid to make copper tube
craft copper tube with two pieces of glass and a chisel to make telescope
Craft telescope with additional tubes to increase zoom ratio

Idk, just spitballing here, but a lot of these QoL mods are an instant "no" from some players who might not like it being added as a default option in the base game.

[Thorfinn]

I have a love/hate relationship with StepUp. While it's arguably nice to have while exploring, it's a pain any time I'm building, using the previous row to guide me in a straight line. I really only want to have to lay out the first row manually. The rest of the time, straight lines should not be on me. This is a computer and it's 2025, for Pete's sake!

Zoom is unbalancing. At least with game assets as they exist now. It's fairly easy to spot stuff from 25+ blocks up, and if you have Zoom to confirm, boy, howdy, I've seen in my own games how much of a difference it makes. Without Zoom, I sometimes misidentify copper nuggets 50 nodes away or more, and I'm sure I miss seeing quite a few, but with Zoom, I quite often had my 40 nuggets by 2pm or so May 1st. And, obviously, that includes all the time collecting sticks for the ladders.  

[LadyWYT]

StepUp I don't really care about as a feature, however, it would be a nice accessibility addition for those who can't/don't want to just hit the spacebar every time. I'm guessing it would also be easier to add code for something like StepUp, than it would be to try to change worldgen to use half-slab dirt or the like.

3 hours ago, traugdor said:

Perhaps a small telescope item that you can make early copper age?

If there's a zoom option added, I'd prefer it be something like this, and not just a key press. A key press might be handy, but it's not very immersive. A spyglass could be made reasonably cheap and fairly early in the game if you know what you're doing(copper/brass and glass), and is a very immersive way of handling such a feature. You could also upgrade it later, perhaps, by building special Jonas goggles or some other Jonas tech gadget. Not only could that have a stronger zoom feature than the spyglass, but such an item could also be equipped in a cosmetic slot, so you never have to worry about leaving it at home by accident.

[Tom Cantine]

I would love to have a telescope. Even more so when they update the sky to be more astronomically consistent.

[Facethief]

5 hours ago, traugdor said:

Which... they used... and calling it out kind of detracts from the overall post. I'm just confused on what issue you have.

I don’t know, weird inconsistencies like that sort of bug me. How does that detract from the post, though?

[Teh Pizza Lady]

9 hours ago, Facethief said:

I don’t know, weird inconsistencies like that sort of bug me. How does that detract from the post, though?

Idk, it just didn't really seem like it added any value to the post at all. That's all.

[idiomcritter]

On 7/18/2025 at 4:09 AM, Big Shasta said:

Step Up I'm using isn't working unless the mod is integrated server side.

this is client side only, and the one i've been using: step up continued

[Phantom72]

+ for Step Up, can't live without it. at 1.5 it's a good balance and don't just pop you onto the next block; Have been tempted to install zoom, but in my opinion an item would be more appropriate. (I just commented on the belt suggestion, another item to be added to a belt slot!)

[Krougal]

I would absolutely like both of these mods to be part of the base game.

They can also be easily made toggleable for the people who don't like them.

I don't want to have to make and carry a friggin telescope either, I have trouble making out details and I get sick of squinting at everything, I consider the ability to zoom a QOL feature, not a cheat. Again, should be an option for those who want it.

Got enough shit to carry around and not enough space for it, the more variety of items added, the more the game bogs down in inventory management. It already sucks as it is before backpack.

 

[Parenn]

I’d be okay with it being an item if it could go in a specialised slot, just for. You could also have tiers of them, with different degrees of magnification, with a simple one made from weaving and quartz up to an advanced glass and brass model.