Beginner’s Guide
Beginner’s Guide to GeoGuessr (©)
What started as a simple pastime has evolved into a game with a dedicated player base that invests significant time in practice and research to make the most accurate guesses. This evolution can make Geoguessr seem intimidating, especially since many popular content creators are highly skilled and rely on detailed and sometimes obscure clues. However, getting started with Geoguessr is more approachable than it might seem. With the right tools, anyone can enjoy the game and compete effectively. This guide aims to make the learning process as straightforward as possible. We’ll begin by introducing the game mechanics and various modes. Next, we’ll delve into how experienced players make impressive guesses from minimal information. Finally, we’ll suggest tools and practices for effective practice..
Game systems
In a moving game, there are several ways to navigate. The most common method is to click on the road in the direction you want to travel. Alternatively, you can use the movement arrows at the center of the screen, which can be particularly useful if the clicking method isn't functioning properly. You can also move forward and backward using the W and S keys, respectively. For precise movement, either use the arrows or keyboard keys to navigate one panorama at a time. To pan around, click and drag the mouse, or use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out. You can also use the zoom buttons located at the bottom left of the screen. For panning, you can use the A and D keys or the left and right directional arrows. In the bottom left corner of the screen, you'll find several helpful buttons. The “Return to Start” button (hotkey R) takes you back to the initial location of the round, which is crucial since you need to guess this starting point rather than your current position. The “Set Checkpoint/Return to Checkpoint” button (hotkey C) allows you to set a checkpoint at your current location, and pressing it again will return you to that checkpoint. The “Undo Move” button (hotkey Z) takes you back to your previous location, which is especially useful if you accidentally veer off a main road. Hovering over the minimap enlarges it and reveals three additional buttons in the top left: two arrows and a pin. Use the arrows to adjust the size of the minimap, and the pin button locks the minimap in place so it remains visible even when you move your mouse away. When you're ready to make your guess, click the Guess button or press the spacebar to finalize it.
Google Map
In Geoguessr, a map is essentially a collection of locations presented as a playable map. Each game mode, even those that don’t specify otherwise, uses locations exclusively from one map at a time. Geoguessr’s official maps often have limitations. A frequent issue is the over-representation of small areas, such as the Midway Atoll, which appears far more often in the “World” map than some entire countries. Fortunately, an active community of map makers produces and updates high-quality maps that we recommend instead. For instance, the Midway Atoll runway is notably over-represented in Geoguessr’s official “World” map, making it one of the most recognized locations in the game. To address this, we have created the Plonk It Map Directory, a resource where we recommend the best maps across various categories, including general gameplay, themed maps, and novelty maps. Each map comes with a brief description to help you find options that suit your preferences. You can also explore maps directly on the Geoguessr website. The Community Maps page features the most liked and played community-made maps, along with newly popular and recently added maps. It’s important to note that the Geoguessr map maker limits users to selecting a maximum of 135,000 locations manually. Maps with more locations than this are created using Geoguessr’s polygonal tool, which tends to produce lower-quality maps. Therefore, we advise avoiding these maps. Several concepts in the Map Directory and map descriptions may not be immediately intuitive:
- Pinpointability: Pinpointable maps have locations placed on specific map features, such as intersections or bridges, allowing for perfect scores in each round if you put in the effort. Non-pinpointable maps might feature locations on long stretches of road or areas with incomplete coverage, making accurate guesses difficult. For moving games, pinpointable maps are generally recommended.
- Arbitrarily Generated: Handpicked maps feature locations chosen manually by the mapmaker. Arbitrarily generated maps use computer algorithms to select locations based on predefined parameters set by the mapmaker. Although these maps might be labeled as “AI Generated,” they are created using standard computer algorithms, not artificial intelligence.
- Distribution: The distribution of locations between countries and regions is debated among map makers. Factors like country size, coverage density, and landscape diversity influence how locations are spread. A balanced distribution often means larger countries are somewhat under-represented compared to their size, while smaller countries and territories are over-represented to enhance variety between rounds.
Points in game
The score you earn in a Geoguessr round is influenced by how accurately you guess the location. However, there are some important technical aspects to consider: Firstly, scoring is not linear but rather exponential. This means that the impact of distance on your score increases as you get closer to the correct location. For example, being 30 km away on a world map results in a loss of roughly 100 points, whereas the difference between being 1000 km and 1030 km away results in a loss of less than 50 points. Additionally, the extent of the map affects scoring. Maps covering entire countries have more stringent scoring compared to world or continental maps. Guesses within 25 meters always yield a perfect score on any map. For larger maps, such as world maps, the perfect score radius extends up to 140 to 200 meters. Lastly, it’s important to note that due to the Mercator Projection used on the minimap, distances are exaggerated near the poles and appear larger than they are close to the Equator.
Game Night, Lan Party, Happy Hours
From the main menu, click the Party button on the left to create a Party lobby. Here, you can choose from a variety of game modes and adjust the settings accordingly. General settings include options like enabling or disabling chat and deciding whether to make the party public. There are also game mode-specific settings such as round time, moving, panning, zooming, and Battle Royale power-ups. Public parties are listed on the Community page, so if you choose to make your party public, it will appear there. The party host can share a link or a 4-digit alphanumeric code for others to join the party. While only Pro users can host parties, non-subscribers can still participate in party games without a time limit. This makes it an excellent way to introduce Geoguessr to friends and family without requiring them to commit to a paid subscription.
Tips
One of the most fundamental clues in Geoguessr is the direction of the Sun. If the Sun is clearly towards the south, you are in the Northern Hemisphere, while if it is toward the north, you are in the Southern Hemisphere. Experienced players often overlook the Sun in most rounds, but it remains a crucial clue in challenging scenarios. It’s important to note that between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, the Sun can appear to be north in the Northern Hemisphere or south in the Southern Hemisphere during summer months. You should rely on this clue primarily when the Sun’s direction is more aligned with north or south rather than east or west.
Since most Geoguessr rounds take place on roads, identifying which side of the road vehicles drive on can quickly help narrow down the possible countries. Only a few countries in the game drive on the left side of the road. Countries marked in green on the map have very limited coverage from Trekker or tripod, so driving side is seldom a useful clue there. You can click on this image to view it in more detail. If no other cars are present, you can still determine the driving side in several ways. Traffic signs are positioned on the side where vehicles drive, and sometimes parts of the Google car, such as the antenna on the back, may be visible. On dirt roads, you might see a dust trail behind the car. Additionally, the driving wheel is typically on the side closer to the road’s center—on the left for right-hand side driving and on the right for left-hand side driving. An exception to this rule is cars imported from Japan, which may be found in eastern Russia.
One of the good clues for new players in Geoguessr are country flags and internet domains. While recognizing the flag and domain of each country featured in Street View is a fundamental skill, we advise new players not to rely on it excessively. The approach of moving around until you find a flag or URL and then guessing in the middle of that country can impede learning and diminish the overall experience.