SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post

Fidd · 09-12-23, 06:38 AM

41. Semi-autonomous offline U-boats

What if a there was a persistent real-time movement of convoy to and from British and allied ports, and an automated and/or manned BDU was able to order uboats to patrol squares. Captains would program the movement of their boats, with a count-down timer (possible messaging or emailing interested parties when the u-boat is within 40nm of a convoy). Players and skippers could then either log in at the required time of day to intercept the convoy, or if preferred, could delay their intercept until a more convenient time of day (RL) for players, or, the hours of darkness, or both.

A running battle would then develop between convoys and U-boats as they concentrate, with only the fun bit of the game requiring the attendance of players. For the bulk of the passages to and from u-boat bases, no player representation would be required, other than the route/speed being plotted by the captain.

A similar, but allied, routine could allow for Hunter-killer groups of escorts being attached to convoys, or escort carriers, with aircraft being used to preclude surface movement in daylight. This might mean that a convoy battle goes on for several RL days, with players concentrating on crewed boats at times where the u-boats are within striking range of the convoy, conferring a whole new tactical stratum to the game, sometimes presenting the u-boat captain with the need to attack in daylight, or poor weather, or with surface movement complicated by aircraft or hunter-killer groups. Much could be abstracted, as development permits, such as aircraft being with a convoy slowing the speed of u-boats in daylight, rather than being "in game". Likewise radar-equipped escorts could make life awkward for night-time surfaced progress.... with combat sometimes occurring away from the convoy....

This could also allow for much larger convoys being attacked by more than 4 boats, (although not more than 4 at a time for now), as perhaps a dozen or more u-boats could be sent towards a convoy or covering a patrol line, with players dropping into each of the 12 as each becomes within the 40nm range. Enigma signals from BDU could provide convoy position updates, with navigators plotting intercepts, which the captain then enacts to bring a given boat within range of the convoy at a (RL) time amenable to his crew players, and at a time of day where the u-boat is concealed by darkness....

Fuel usage could be factored in, so that captains are faced with decisions as to whether or not they can sustain x speed for y time to intercept a given convoy, or, if such a persuit might miss the convoy and cause the u-boat to return from patrol without firing....

09-12-23, 06:38 AM	#56
Fidd XO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Blighty! Posts: 431 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	41. Semi-autonomous offline U-boats What if a there was a persistent real-time movement of convoy to and from British and allied ports, and an automated and/or manned BDU was able to order uboats to patrol squares. Captains would program the movement of their boats, with a count-down timer (possible messaging or emailing interested parties when the u-boat is within 40nm of a convoy). Players and skippers could then either log in at the required time of day to intercept the convoy, or if preferred, could delay their intercept until a more convenient time of day (RL) for players, or, the hours of darkness, or both. A running battle would then develop between convoys and U-boats as they concentrate, with only the fun bit of the game requiring the attendance of players. For the bulk of the passages to and from u-boat bases, no player representation would be required, other than the route/speed being plotted by the captain. A similar, but allied, routine could allow for Hunter-killer groups of escorts being attached to convoys, or escort carriers, with aircraft being used to preclude surface movement in daylight. This might mean that a convoy battle goes on for several RL days, with players concentrating on crewed boats at times where the u-boats are within striking range of the convoy, conferring a whole new tactical stratum to the game, sometimes presenting the u-boat captain with the need to attack in daylight, or poor weather, or with surface movement complicated by aircraft or hunter-killer groups. Much could be abstracted, as development permits, such as aircraft being with a convoy slowing the speed of u-boats in daylight, rather than being "in game". Likewise radar-equipped escorts could make life awkward for night-time surfaced progress.... with combat sometimes occurring away from the convoy.... This could also allow for much larger convoys being attacked by more than 4 boats, (although not more than 4 at a time for now), as perhaps a dozen or more u-boats could be sent towards a convoy or covering a patrol line, with players dropping into each of the 12 as each becomes within the 40nm range. Enigma signals from BDU could provide convoy position updates, with navigators plotting intercepts, which the captain then enacts to bring a given boat within range of the convoy at a (RL) time amenable to his crew players, and at a time of day where the u-boat is concealed by darkness.... Fuel usage could be factored in, so that captains are faced with decisions as to whether or not they can sustain x speed for y time to intercept a given convoy, or, if such a persuit might miss the convoy and cause the u-boat to return from patrol without firing.... Last edited by Fidd; 09-12-23 at 06:48 AM.