[REL] Searchlights Removed mod

[schlechter pfennig]

http://www.filefront.com/16441971/Se...ts_Removed.zip

The Searchlights Removed mod removes searchlights from all ships that are not directly involved with submarine detection, pursuit and attack. This mod only modifies the ships in the stock GWX 3.0 installation; if other ships are added thru other mods they may or may not have searchlights.

The rationale behind this mod was to make the behavior of ships more realistic when they came under U-boat attack. Neither merchants (armed or otherwise) nor capital ships would have wanted to draw attention to themselves by 'reverse spotlighting' themselves by illuminating their searchlights. Unfortunately, since I can't change the behavior of capital ships when they come under attack or go on the offensive, removing their searchlights was the only alternative I had.

Additionally, this should negate the frame rate degradation that occurs when multiple ships illuminate all their searchlights.

I believe I've removed all the correct searchlights. However, if you run across a merchant or capital ship that still has searchlights and shouldn't, or find a warship that should have her searchlights, please let me know.

The Searchlights Removed mod is JSGME ready. Just copy or move the data folder to the MOD folder and enable thru JSGME in between patrols/at base.

edit: I've uploaded a newer (and substantially smaller) file. I accidentally forgot to just leave the .eqp files in and zipped the whole darned Sea folder.

[Sailor Steve]

FIRST IN!!!

I don't think I've ever done that before!

Do you want me to put it up here at Subsim Downloads?

[iambecomelife]

Thank you for this mod - it's a major realism improvement.

As far as I know, the merchantmen were under strict orders to use no lights except for a very dim stern light in foggy weather, to help keep ships in the rear columns from drifting out of station. Any merch captain who turned on a searchlight during an attack would probably be relieved of command - assuming he survived.

On one convoy a US Coast Guard cutter was begging a tanker crew to put their lights out. Finally, they trained their MG's on the tanker's portholes and offered to "put the lights out for them". They got the message in a hurry.

[melnibonian]

Great stuff

Thanks a lot for that

[Captain Nemo]

Thanks for this mod. I have often wondered if merchant ships used search lights following a u-boat attack for obvious reasons. This mod should also help u-boats with escaping on the surface following a close range night surface attack on a convoy. In my experience if you get in close, say 1,000 metres, as soon as your torps hit you are likely to be illuminated by a merchant ship with his search light no matter how far away the escorts might be and are immediatly under attack and have to dive. This should give you a better chance of sneaking away on the surface in the darkness to reload and attack again.

Nemo

[LGN1]

Hi schlechter pfennig,

did you include the whole Sea folder in the mod? It's a huge download

Cheers, LGN1

[nemo7]

Downloaded. Pretty immersive addition mate.

[h.sie]

Hello schlechter_pfennig,

for my "Randomized Searchlights"-Mod I also need some .eqp files to (optionally and easily) disable the lights from big battleships. I could make them by myself, but it would be easier to take yours, if you give me permission. Would be nice.

Please don't understand my work as rivalry. It's intended to be an alternative.

Greetings,
h.sie

[schlechter pfennig]

Originally Posted by h.sie

Hello schlechter_pfennig,

for my "Randomized Searchlights"-Mod I also need some .eqp files to (optionally and easily) disable the lights from big battleships. I could make them by myself, but it would be easier to take yours, if you give me permission. Would be nice.

Please don't understand my work as rivalry. It's intended to be an alternative.

Greetings,
h.sie

I don't consider it rivalry at all! Sure, go right ahead.