diff --git a/code/controllers/configuration.dm b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
index 9e29ba9998..3a31de1c6a 100644
--- a/code/controllers/configuration.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
@@ -228,6 +228,8 @@ var/list/gamemode_cache = list()
 	var/radiation_resistance_multiplier = 6.5
 	var/radiation_lower_limit = 0.35 //If the radiation level for a turf would be below this, ignore it.
 
+	var/random_submap_orientation = FALSE // If true, submaps loaded automatically can be rotated.
+
 /datum/configuration/New()
 	var/list/L = typesof(/datum/game_mode) - /datum/game_mode
 	for (var/T in L)
@@ -748,6 +750,9 @@ var/list/gamemode_cache = list()
 				if ("paranoia_logging")
 					config.paranoia_logging = 1
 
+				if("random_submap_orientation")
+					config.random_submap_orientation = 1
+
 				else
 					log_misc("Unknown setting in configuration: '[name]'")
 
diff --git a/code/modules/maps/tg/map_template.dm b/code/modules/maps/tg/map_template.dm
index 65286578c6..d20daf1989 100644
--- a/code/modules/maps/tg/map_template.dm
+++ b/code/modules/maps/tg/map_template.dm
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ var/list/global/map_templates = list()
 	var/mappath = null
 	var/loaded = 0 // Times loaded this round
 	var/annihilate = FALSE // If true, all (movable) atoms at the location where the map is loaded will be deleted before the map is loaded in.
+	var/fixed_orientation = FALSE // If true, the submap will not be rotated randomly when loaded.
 
 	var/cost = null // The map generator has a set 'budget' it spends to place down different submaps. It will pick available submaps randomly until \
 	it runs out. The cost of a submap should roughly corrispond with several factors such as size, loot, difficulty, desired scarcity, etc. \
@@ -225,7 +226,13 @@ var/list/global/map_templates = list()
 		var/specific_sanity = 100 // A hundred chances to place the chosen submap.
 		while(specific_sanity > 0)
 			specific_sanity--
-			var/orientation = pick(cardinal)
+
+			var/orientation
+			if(chosen_template.fixed_orientation || !config.random_submap_orientation)
+				orientation = SOUTH
+			else
+				orientation = pick(cardinal)
+
 			chosen_template.preload_size(chosen_template.mappath, orientation)
 			var/width_border = TRANSITIONEDGE + SUBMAP_MAP_EDGE_PAD + round(((orientation & NORTH|SOUTH) ? chosen_template.width : chosen_template.height) / 2)
 			var/height_border = TRANSITIONEDGE + SUBMAP_MAP_EDGE_PAD + round(((orientation & NORTH|SOUTH) ? chosen_template.height : chosen_template.width) / 2)
diff --git a/config/example/config.txt b/config/example/config.txt
index d9d73c6ccb..a347fac832 100644
--- a/config/example/config.txt
+++ b/config/example/config.txt
@@ -91,10 +91,10 @@ SQL_ENABLED
 SHOW_DEVS
 ##Show mods on staffwho
 SHOW_MODS
-
+
 ##Show mentors on staffwho
 SHOW_EVENT
-
+
 ## Chooses whether mods have the ability to tempban or not
 MODS_CAN_TEMPBAN
 
@@ -133,12 +133,12 @@ TRAITOR_SCALING
 ## if objectives are disabled
 #OBJECTIVES_DISABLED
 
-## make ERT's be only called by admins
-#ERT_ADMIN_ONLY
-
+## make ERT's be only called by admins
+#ERT_ADMIN_ONLY
+
 ## If uncommented, votes can be called to add extra antags to the round.
 #ALLOW_EXTRA_ANTAGS
-
+
 ## If security is prohibited from being most antagonists
 #PROTECT_ROLES_FROM_ANTAGONIST
 
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ CHARACTER_SLOTS 10
 LOADOUT_SLOTS 3
 
 ## Uncomment to use overmap system for zlevel travel
-#USE_OVERMAP
+#USE_OVERMAP
 
 ## Defines which Z-levels the station exists on. 
 STATION_LEVELS 1
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ STARLIGHT 0
 
 ## Defines how Law Zero is phrased. Primarily used in the Malfunction gamemode.
 # LAW_ZERO ERROR ER0RR $R0RRO$!R41.%%!!(%$^^__+ @#F0E4'STATION OVERRUN, ASSUME CONTROL TO CONTAIN OUTBREAK, ALL LAWS OVERRIDDEN#*?&110010
-
+
 
 ## Enables specific procedural map generation, generally for mining, however it is specific to the loaded map.  Uncomment to enable it, however it can
 ## worth it to keep it disabled if you are not hosting an actual server, to speed up start-up time for testing code.
@@ -408,3 +408,8 @@ STARLIGHT 0
 
 ## Uncomment to enable Paranoia Logging. This will notify admins and write to a file any time a new player (byond or your server) connects.
 # PARANOIA_LOGGING
+
+## Uncomment to enable submaps to have their orientation rotated randomly during map generation.
+## Submap rotation is an experimental feature and can cause bugs and weirdness if certain objects inside the submap are coded poorly.
+## Submaps can still be rotated when loading manually with the admin verbs, if desired.
+# RANDOM_SUBMAP_ORIENTATION
diff --git a/maps/submaps/surface_submaps/plains/plains.dm b/maps/submaps/surface_submaps/plains/plains.dm
index c4e97e37d6..77ab822ed9 100644
--- a/maps/submaps/surface_submaps/plains/plains.dm
+++ b/maps/submaps/surface_submaps/plains/plains.dm
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@
 	desc = "A bunch of marker beacons, scattered in a strange pattern."
 	mappath = 'maps/submaps/surface_submaps/plains/beacons.dmm'
 	cost = 5
+	fixed_orientation = TRUE
 
 /datum/map_template/surface/plains/Epod
 	name = "Emergency Pod"