Mission: Kara sea search Feed back.

[Bellman]

SQ - new version downladed from Bills, thank you.

Could you please clarify:

1. What changes have been made ?
2. What is, and what purpose has, the database file 'thumbs.db' ?

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Bellman

2. What is, and what purpose has, the database file 'thumbs.db' ?

I've seen that before. I think the file got zipped funny. Just ignore it.

[Bill Nichols]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

I've seen that before. I think the file got zipped funny. Just ignore it.

In Windows XP, if you view a folder using "thumbnails" (shows thumbnails of graphics files in the folder), then it creates the file 'thumbs.db'.

[Bellman]

OK thanks - but I downloaded it again and simply opened the zip with WinZip and there she is without any action
on my part. I never use 'thumbnails - so its seems it's coming packaged that way. :hmm:

[SeaQueen]

Originally Posted by Bellman

SQ - new version downladed from Bills, thank you.

Could you please clarify:

1. What changes have been made ?

I fixed the goal so that you could get 100% of the points.

I changed the distribution governing the American SSN's starting position. It shouldn't effect anything, but it will give you a chance to see a little more of the arctic.

I made the Soviet SSN exclusively an AI because it seems like not many people were willing to play this as a MP scenario. It really is best played in more than one sitting. The last time I played it, it took just under 20 hours from the starting time to killing the SSBN. The escort was still there. It's also harder from the American perspective, I think.

I changed it so that the SSBN's escort would be an early model AKULA some fraction of the time, and a VICTOR III some other fraction of the time. The early AKULAs were basically just SIERRAs but made of steel instead of titanium, so I figured it'd make it a little more "period." The DW database really isn't well suited to Cold War scenarios, unfortunately, but we do what we can.

I changed the Soviet subs' starting depths.

I changed the American SSN's starting depth.

I expanded a the scenario notes a little bit.

I changed the scenario description slightly.

I also added some currents reflecting some oceanographic data I found.

And I password protected it, so that munchkins can't play with an SSN 21 in 1988. :-)

2. What is, and what purpose has, the database file 'thumbs.db' ?

None, it's a relic of my operating system.

[Bellman]

SQ - Your comments are greatly appreciated, thank you. :|\

Already at sea in a 688 with the previous version and it
certainly is more taxing even than the LWAMId SW.

Kara Mk 1.01 will christen my new PC.

See you in a week or so.

[SeaQueen]

Originally Posted by Bellman

SQ - Your comments are greatly appreciated, thank you. :|\

You're welcome. I'm glad you guys enjoy the scenario. Personally, I think it's fairly challenging, without being overly complicated. Once you manage to find the SSBN, there should be lots of fire-counterfire-evade sorts of exchanges as you try to develop a solution on the SSBN. The escorts seem to be quite aggressive. I think it's actually harder to get at the escorts than the boomer itself, in some ways. :-)

[LuftWolf]

The DW database really isn't well suited to Cold War scenarios, unfortunately, but we do what we can.

I think we can fix that.

The 688(i) and Akula Imp I would have to be used to play the nuclear submarine sides, but the MH60, P-3, Kilo Standard, and especially the FFG should work nicely as Cold War playables without too much stretching.

[SeaQueen]

Originally Posted by LuftWolf

I think we can fix that.

The 688(i) and Akula Imp I would have to be used to play the nuclear submarine sides, but the MH60, P-3, Kilo Standard, and especially the FFG should work nicely as Cold War playables without too much stretching.

I have no problem with the playables. It's the lack of variety in AI platforms that bothers me. HEN class subs were used all through the Cold War. Where is the o-so-scary Alfa? Earlier VICTOR or DELTA versions? More varieties of surface platforms? Sturgeons? Thresher/Permits? American SUBROCs?

My sense of things, looking at the available non-playables, is that they were trying to be very post-Cold War. I actually like that, but it's very limiting if you're making historical scenarios.

Honestly, though, the only simulator whose database I really like is Harpoons. *shrug* The only reason it can be as huge as it is, is that fancy graphics are not a part of that sim at all.

[LuftWolf]

Well, those AI platforms are hopefully on the way.

If there is a model out there for it that can be imported into DW, all we need is for someone to let us add it to the new platforms pack for stock DW and the new version of LWAMI that are in the works.

[Bellman]

SQ: Diving 1.01. Intrigued by the slightly different shaded area at the centre N of OA. (Not the usual receptivity
shading) My investigations inconclusive - there is no reduction in ice thickness or a large iceberg there.
Crashed the ice and did a visual - nothing. Perhaps its just a coffee stain.

The marked changes in SSP East to West are interesting presumably due to the changes in salinity.

Would be nice to see some Harpoon type elements integrated into a future DW. The ability to design
groups with 'formation' stationing, orientation and tasking, together with creating 'missions'.
Even with a limited number of playaybles the OHP could be assigned realistiic group support functions.
Also some of the in-game mapping aids such as 'zoning' would enhance play.

Perhaps, if Jamie's at the party, I will go into my familiar song entitled
''Put on your old brown shoes.........Dust off ole Fleet Command ''

[SeaQueen]

Originally Posted by Bellman

The marked changes in SSP East to West are interesting presumably due to the changes in salinity.

I don't think DW actually goes into that much detail. Who knows, though? It might have something to do with the currents I put in, or it might just be luck. It's a shame, really that they aren't more opened about what's actually IN the sonar model.

Would be nice to see some Harpoon type elements integrated into a future DW. The ability to design groups with 'formation' stationing, orientation and tasking, together with creating 'missions'. Even with a limited number of playaybles the OHP could be assigned realistiic group support functions.
Also some of the in-game mapping aids such as 'zoning' would enhance play.

To a certain extent you can.

*shrug*

I like Harpoon. I like DW. DW captures a different aspect of things of Harpoon. Sometimes I wish DW was more like Harpoon but usually when I do that it's because the scenario has become bloated and is probably best played in Harpoon, not DW. :-)

[XabbaRus]

Ah but there is a way to get round the password protection

I have a few cold war subs in various stages. There are some good ones in SCX but they can't be used

Lets see what I can do.

[goldorak]

Its a little off topic but I have a question regarding the database.
Is it possibile for modding puroposes to add new entries to the database (for instance to include non playable units, or new countries such as italty etc...) ?
Or is the database lockdown in terms of number of entries ?

[Fandango]

Goldorak,

I suggest you to post an independent thread on the topic in the general forum....