diff --git a/evoGUI.lua b/evoGUI.lua
index d36f8a3..72b9c6b 100644
--- a/evoGUI.lua
+++ b/evoGUI.lua
@@ -159,6 +159,25 @@ local function update_sensors(element, sensor_list, active_sensors)
 end
 
 
+local octant_names = {
+    [0] = {"direction.east"},
+    [1] = {"direction.southeast"},
+    [2] = {"direction.south"},
+    [3] = {"direction.southwest"},
+    [4] = {"direction.west"},
+    [5] = {"direction.northwest"},
+    [6] = {"direction.north"},
+    [7] = {"direction.northeast"},
+}
+
+function evogui.get_octant_name(vector)
+    local radians = math.atan2(vector.y, vector.x)
+    local octant = math.floor( 8 * radians / (2*math.pi) + 8.5 ) % 8
+
+    return octant_names[octant]
+end
+
+
 function evogui.update_av(player, element)
     local always_visible = global.evogui[player.name].always_visible
 
diff --git a/locale/en/locale.cfg b/locale/en/locale.cfg
index 1c30c09..96d4a3f 100644
--- a/locale/en/locale.cfg
+++ b/locale/en/locale.cfg
@@ -57,6 +57,17 @@ settings_in_popup=Visible in popup
 settings_close=Close
 
 
+direction.north=N
+direction.south=S
+direction.east=E
+direction.west=W
+direction.northeast=NE
+direction.northwest=NW
+direction.southeast=SE
+direction.southwest=SW
+direction.unknown=?
+
+
 err_generic=[EvoGUI|__1__] Error: __2__
 err_specific=[EvoGUI|__1__|__2__] Error: __3__
 
diff --git a/value_sensors/player_locations.lua b/value_sensors/player_locations.lua
index 0c95fca..ee24ea2 100644
--- a/value_sensors/player_locations.lua
+++ b/value_sensors/player_locations.lua
@@ -58,28 +58,14 @@ end
 
 local function directions(source, destination)
     -- Directions to or from positionless things? Hrm.
-    if not source.position or not destination.position then return '?' end
+    if not source.position or not destination.position then return {"direction.unknown"} end
 
     local delta_x = destination.position.x - source.position.x
     local delta_y = destination.position.y - source.position.y
 
-    if math.abs(delta_x) > math.abs(delta_y) then
-        if delta_x < -1 then
-            return '<'
-        elseif delta_x > 1 then
-            return '>'
-        else
-            return '='
-        end
-    else
-        if delta_y < -1 then
-            return '^'
-        elseif delta_y > 1 then
-            return 'v'
-        else
-            return '='
-        end
-    end
+    if math.abs(delta_x) < 2 and math.abs(delta_y) < 2 then return '' end
+
+    return evogui.get_octant_name{x=delta_x, y=delta_y}
 end