Dynamic Patrol Mod (WIP)

[iambecomelife]

I'm working on a primarily visual mod that will simulate the passage of time on your U-Boat over the course of a patrol. It will use a simple batch file to edit the appropriate TGA's to simulate some of the nuisances U-Boat crews had to put up with the longer they stayed out. So far the mod will incorporate two of the more obvious indicators of war weariness - spoiling provisions and beard growth. Any other ideas about what I could implement in to enhance this mod?

[Salvadoreno]

oooohh beards.. that would be awesome!! I was just thinking of that today finishing up my longest patrol with 2 ships sunk.. I know that after loong patrols the boats engines break down, or perhaps incorporate some problems that have to be fixed in the uboat. Batteries breaking down.. Bla Bla. I know that lots of problems happened with uboats throughout the years. Engine problems. Torpedos. etc.. THat would be a nice touch. Add to some of the monotamy

::edit add::

I want the new addon to have models and additions like that. GOD i hope this isnt a dissapointing mod. I want MORE realism!!!

[Hawkers]

Great idea, and potentially could be a major enhancement in the graphics department.

I'd like to see deteriorating u boats (rust, oil stains, etc.), and in addition to beards, dirty, oil grease-stained uniforms would be cool!

Hawkers

[Yattky]

Very interesting!
I'm looking forward to seeing the screen shots here.

[iambecomelife]

Originally Posted by Salvadoreno

oooohh beards.. that would be awesome!! I was just thinking of that today finishing up my longest patrol with 2 ships sunk.. I know that after loong patrols the boats engines break down, or perhaps incorporate some problems that have to be fixed in the uboat. Batteries breaking down.. Bla Bla. I know that lots of problems happened with uboats throughout the years. Engine problems. Torpedos. etc.. THat would be a nice touch. Add to some of the monotamy

::edit add::

I want the new addon to have models and additions like that. GOD i hope this isnt a dissapointing mod. I want MORE realism!!!

I just thought of a way I could implement mechanical problems. I could use a random number-generating batch file to copy new .cfg files to the data folders for the different U-Boats. These could be used to do things like cut your maximum speed in half if you're "lucky" and generate the designated number. It could be a 10% chance for the first month, 33% chance for the second, etc.

[Salvadoreno]

thats GREAT!! Who needs the ADDON when you got modders! lol.. This will add a whole new level to gameplay!

[Observer]

Originally Posted by iambecomelife

I just thought of a way I could implement mechanical problems. I could use a random number-generating batch file to copy new .cfg files to the data folders for the different U-Boats. These could be used to do things like cut your maximum speed in half if you're "lucky" and generate the designated number. It could be a 10% chance for the first month, 33% chance for the second, etc.

Interesting concept. How would you "repair" the damage? I think if you used a set time as the "repair time" and replace the files with the originals it might work, but I think it would require a restart of the mission to be effective. The same may be true on the damage in that it wouldn't take effect until after a reload.

[iambecomelife]

Yes; the method I'm envisioning would definitely require you to alt-tab, save the mission, and then restart. It should just take a minute or two, but it would be better to have the game engine handle it. I don't know how to implement it that way, though.

[terrapin]

Originally Posted by iambecomelife

I'm working on a primarily visual mod that will simulate the passage of time on your U-Boat over the course of a patrol. It will use a simple batch file to edit the appropriate TGA's to simulate some of the nuisances U-Boat crews had to put up with the longer they stayed out. So far the mod will incorporate two of the more obvious indicators of war weariness - spoiling provisions and beard growth. Any other ideas about what I could implement in to enhance this mod?

Great Idea! How about faces getting pale? I've read in several 1st hand reports that the crew's faces got rather pale and somewhat greenish after long patrols...

[iambecomelife]

Originally Posted by terrapin

Great Idea! How about faces getting pale? I've read in several 1st hand reports that the crew's faces got rather pale and somewhat greenish after long patrols...

Another good idea. It's very easy to implement - just take the original tga and use the slide bar for "levels" in photoshop.

[terrapin]

Originally Posted by iambecomelife

Another good idea. It's very easy to implement - just take the original tga and use the slide bar for "levels" in photoshop.

Yeah, thought about that...but considering my current workload related to SH3 and u-boats I don't even THINK of starting modding... :rotfl: - it even became worse since I got the KTB microfiches... :hmm:

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by terrapin

Yeah, thought about that...but considering my current workload related to SH3 and u-boats I don't even THINK of starting modding... :rotfl:

Hmm... perhaps considering your workload, you might want to consider being a model for the pale-faced crew at least? :rotfl:

[terrapin]

Originally Posted by CCIP

Hmm... perhaps considering your workload, you might want to consider being a model for the pale-faced crew at least? :rotfl:

:rotfl: for sure!

[gdogghenrikson]

sounds sweet

[iambecomelife]

Don't worry about having to do any modeling. Fritz Friedrichs, everyone's favorite Chief Engineer, volunteered to do it for you.


Fritz, one week at sea.



Fritz some weeks later.


This first head took an exceptionally long time to do, but since now I know the locations much better the next ones will be comparatively easy. Still trying to get rid of that waxy, department-store-mannequin look, though.