Albrecht Von Hesse
12-22-06, 09:14 PM
First off, to start, a comment about GWX in general:
Wow!
I know, I know; not very original. But it conveys my feelings perfectly. :D
Now, some specific comments and observations:
A) Installation:
From the beginning to the end I've seldom, if ever, encountered a more detailed, streamlined, error- and problem-free installation of any program or update. It started with the instructions on how to pre-install prepare the computer for the GWX installation, continued through with the helpful tip of using MD5Compare of JSCones' for checking for file corruption after download, and ended with the actual installation of GWX itself. Kudos to all who were involved with the process, whether actually packaging the software to install or just providing, clear, concise and accurate instructions. Great job!
B) Naval Academy:
One of the drawbacks (and a very minor one to me, I want to assure) was that the creation of a new SHIII folder in My Documents meant that my Naval Academy scores (and thus my starting renown) was null. So I decided to run the exams again, both to regain that through passing with excellent grades :p and as well to 'test out' GWX in a relatively safe environment, before braving the waters of the Atlantic.
However, I noticed two oddities with the Naval Academy, both during flak attack. The first was that I was actually strafed by the fighters, and my U-boat damaged due to that (something I don't ever recall happening before). The second was that it didn't accurately record downed aircraft. I'd splashed seven, and was wondering why I hadn't gotten the message that I'd passed (as you only need five, if I recall correctly). When I checked my patrol log, it had only recorded three downed aircraft, not seven.
C) Combat Patrol
I've several observations and comments here:
First off, my very first patrol was a very short one: less than 36 hours to be precise. I've a Type VIIC, and started off on 1 September 1940 to BE31. I was crossing the area approximately BF15 (which is around 80 meters) around 2200hrs, at ahead standard on the surface when we spotted a Town class about 8,000 meters off. As it was obliquely headed our direction I did what I've normally done in the past: submerged to 18 meters at ahead slow and kept on my merry way. I was running at TC 64, and periodically checking the hydrophones, and soon lost contact. I remained submerged (again like I often do) planning on surfacing about an hour later.
Abruptly my TC dropped to 8 (never a good sign) and moments later I could hear screws quickly approaching, as well as rapid pinging. I immediately went to 75 meters, ahead flank with a 30-degree turn . . . just in time to have the first pattern of ash cans rain down around me. Somehow I avoided being damaged . . . and I can only wish I could say the same about the second pattern dropped three minutes later. Sooooooo . . .
I started another career, sadly mourning the lost potential of that crew and Kaleun. So far this one has been pretty good. Same start date (early September 1940), same U-boat (VIIC). I'm in the middle of my third patrol, and have bagged 78,581 tonnes and 10 merchants during the first two patrols. Several were singletons that I'd crippled with a torpedo then surfaced and finished off with the deck gun. The deck gun effects are pretty awesome and spectacular! :arrgh!:
I will say that the AI warships/escorts have already had a profound effect both on how I evade (and plan to evade) them, and on how I feel about being caught out in shallow waters. BF13 and 15 used to be a prime hunting area for me, one that I avidly trolled when I had extra torpedoes after patrolling my assigned area. Now I have nervous shivers when I'm cruising there, already well-aware of what it's like to be actively and aggressively hunted and having little evading depth under my keel!
On my return leg of my third patrol I encountered a Town class again. This time it was late at night, around 1-2 in the morning on a dead-calm sea, no moon. I was running on the surface at ahead standard when my lookouts spotted a warship. Peering through the UZO we determined it was a Town, and at 12,500+ meters. I was deciding what best to do when abruptly the options were narrowed down quite a bit. Especially when my WO yelled out "Enemy ship is engaging us Sir!"
The new AI is amazing! Very intense. Spine-chilling at times, too. :yep: It is definitely requiring a major overhaul of my tactics and strategies . . . assuming I want to survive, of course! ;)
In closing, I just want to add my congratulations and kudos to all involved in the GWX project. Definitely well-worth the wait for it! Well done one and all!
Wow!
I know, I know; not very original. But it conveys my feelings perfectly. :D
Now, some specific comments and observations:
A) Installation:
From the beginning to the end I've seldom, if ever, encountered a more detailed, streamlined, error- and problem-free installation of any program or update. It started with the instructions on how to pre-install prepare the computer for the GWX installation, continued through with the helpful tip of using MD5Compare of JSCones' for checking for file corruption after download, and ended with the actual installation of GWX itself. Kudos to all who were involved with the process, whether actually packaging the software to install or just providing, clear, concise and accurate instructions. Great job!
B) Naval Academy:
One of the drawbacks (and a very minor one to me, I want to assure) was that the creation of a new SHIII folder in My Documents meant that my Naval Academy scores (and thus my starting renown) was null. So I decided to run the exams again, both to regain that through passing with excellent grades :p and as well to 'test out' GWX in a relatively safe environment, before braving the waters of the Atlantic.
However, I noticed two oddities with the Naval Academy, both during flak attack. The first was that I was actually strafed by the fighters, and my U-boat damaged due to that (something I don't ever recall happening before). The second was that it didn't accurately record downed aircraft. I'd splashed seven, and was wondering why I hadn't gotten the message that I'd passed (as you only need five, if I recall correctly). When I checked my patrol log, it had only recorded three downed aircraft, not seven.
C) Combat Patrol
I've several observations and comments here:
First off, my very first patrol was a very short one: less than 36 hours to be precise. I've a Type VIIC, and started off on 1 September 1940 to BE31. I was crossing the area approximately BF15 (which is around 80 meters) around 2200hrs, at ahead standard on the surface when we spotted a Town class about 8,000 meters off. As it was obliquely headed our direction I did what I've normally done in the past: submerged to 18 meters at ahead slow and kept on my merry way. I was running at TC 64, and periodically checking the hydrophones, and soon lost contact. I remained submerged (again like I often do) planning on surfacing about an hour later.
Abruptly my TC dropped to 8 (never a good sign) and moments later I could hear screws quickly approaching, as well as rapid pinging. I immediately went to 75 meters, ahead flank with a 30-degree turn . . . just in time to have the first pattern of ash cans rain down around me. Somehow I avoided being damaged . . . and I can only wish I could say the same about the second pattern dropped three minutes later. Sooooooo . . .
I started another career, sadly mourning the lost potential of that crew and Kaleun. So far this one has been pretty good. Same start date (early September 1940), same U-boat (VIIC). I'm in the middle of my third patrol, and have bagged 78,581 tonnes and 10 merchants during the first two patrols. Several were singletons that I'd crippled with a torpedo then surfaced and finished off with the deck gun. The deck gun effects are pretty awesome and spectacular! :arrgh!:
I will say that the AI warships/escorts have already had a profound effect both on how I evade (and plan to evade) them, and on how I feel about being caught out in shallow waters. BF13 and 15 used to be a prime hunting area for me, one that I avidly trolled when I had extra torpedoes after patrolling my assigned area. Now I have nervous shivers when I'm cruising there, already well-aware of what it's like to be actively and aggressively hunted and having little evading depth under my keel!
On my return leg of my third patrol I encountered a Town class again. This time it was late at night, around 1-2 in the morning on a dead-calm sea, no moon. I was running on the surface at ahead standard when my lookouts spotted a warship. Peering through the UZO we determined it was a Town, and at 12,500+ meters. I was deciding what best to do when abruptly the options were narrowed down quite a bit. Especially when my WO yelled out "Enemy ship is engaging us Sir!"
The new AI is amazing! Very intense. Spine-chilling at times, too. :yep: It is definitely requiring a major overhaul of my tactics and strategies . . . assuming I want to survive, of course! ;)
In closing, I just want to add my congratulations and kudos to all involved in the GWX project. Definitely well-worth the wait for it! Well done one and all!