Skip to main content
No Image Available Visual representation of m in sons of the forest
Video Game Item Updated August 13, 2025

M in sons of the forest

The 'm' key in *Sons of the Forest* opens your survival guide and crafting menu. It helps you build, craft, and track essentials easily.

Category

Video Game Item

Use Case

Used as a tool or resource in the survival game Sons of the Forest.

Key Features

In Simple Terms

What it is

In Sons of the Forest, 'm' is a key you press to open your survival guide. Think of it like a backpack full of tips and tools that help you stay alive in the game. It shows you what you can build, what you need to survive, and where to find important things.

Why people use it

Players use 'm' because the game world is dangerous and confusing at first. The survival guide acts like a cheat sheet, saving time and reducing frustration. Instead of guessing how to build a shelter or find food, you can quickly check the guide and get back to playing.

Basic examples

Here’s how 'm' helps in real gameplay:
  • Need a fire to stay warm? Press 'm' to see what materials you need (like sticks and leaves).
  • Want to build a cabin? The guide shows the steps so you don’t waste time trial-and-error.
  • Lost or hungry? It points you to nearby resources like berries or animals to hunt.

  • It’s like having a friendly guidebook in your pocket while exploring a wild forest—always there when you need a hint.

    Technical Details

    What it is


    The 'm' in Sons of the Forest refers to the in-game map system, a core navigation tool categorized as a user interface (UI) element. It provides players with a real-time, interactive representation of the game world, including terrain, landmarks, and player-placed markers. The map is essential for exploration, base-building, and coordinating with other players in multiplayer modes.

    How it works


    The map operates as a dynamic 2D overlay, rendered using the game's engine (Unity). It updates in real-time to reflect player movements, discovered locations, and environmental changes. Players can open the map using a dedicated keybind, which pauses single-player gameplay or displays as an overlay in multiplayer. The system uses procedural generation data to ensure consistency with the game world, while player inputs (e.g., markers) are stored locally or synced across servers.

    Key components


  • Terrain Rendering: Displays biomes, water bodies, and elevation changes using textured layers.
  • Marker System: Allows players to place custom icons (e.g., waypoints, danger zones) with descriptive labels.
  • GPS Functionality: Tracks player position via an in-game GPS device, represented as a moving cursor.
  • Discovery Mechanics: Reveals areas as players explore, with fog-of-war effects for unexplored regions.
  • Multiplayer Sync: Ensures map data (e.g., markers) is shared among co-op players in real-time.

  • Common use cases


  • Exploration: Identifying uncharted areas, caves, or resource-rich zones.
  • Base Building: Planning construction sites by marking optimal locations.
  • Team Coordination: Sharing marker data in multiplayer to strategize or warn of threats.
  • Navigation: Orienting oneself during night cycles or in dense forests.
  • Quest Tracking: Following in-game objectives or locating story-related landmarks.