First Look! Silent Hunter 4

[Onkel Neal]

Subsim's Silent Hunter 4 demo article discussion thread.

Eleven years have passed since the original Silent Hunter game was released. The two sequels that followed centered on U-boats in the Atlantic. Silent Hunter 4 Wolves of the Pacific brings the player full circle, back to the Pacific.

First Look! Silent Hunter 4 (http://www.subsim.com/sh4/demo_sh4.php)


.

[danlisa]

:damn: First in and nothing to see.;)

:rock:

[AJ!]

Awsome stuff! :D

cant wait....

[Dowly]

What does this mean? Am I waiting for a demo or a preview of the demo? :doh:

[Gizzmoe]

What does this mean? Am I waiting for a demo or a preview of the demo? :doh:
A preview of a beta version.

[CaptainNemo]

@Neal! Germany and specially the aces of the deep community (www.acesofthedeep.com) (http://www.acesofthedeep.com) are waiting for your new impression of Silent Hunter 4!

Best regards!

Your Nemo! :D

[Dowly]

What does this mean? Am I waiting for a demo or a preview of the demo? :doh:
A preview of a beta version.

Dang it Neal! "Subsim's Silent Hunter 4 demo discussion thread." is misleading! :damn:

[StandingCow]

Ahhh!! They better not do this with the demo too!! :)

Look forward to reading the demo!

[Gizzmoe]

ETA: 5-10 minutes.

[AJ!]

:o:o:o

[Onkel Neal]

First Look! Silent Hunter 4 (http://www.subsim.com/sh4/demo_sh4.php)
Link updated.

This is an article based on my demo of the game, I spent an hour hands-on, so this is not a full review, or even a full preview, but a general first impression. When the game is closer to completion, I hope to get a preview in before the review. Note: some of the screenshots are work-in-progress captures and do not reflect the full visual beauty of the game, they are included to give you an idea of the scope of the game. I know you guys know that.

cheers
Neal

[Dowly]

"--you sent me to sea with training warheads"

:rotfl::rotfl:

I must admit that I wasnt too fond of the SH4, but seeing that article changed my mind completely. :up:

[StandingCow]

"The damage center does not have a sub profile with little compartments, fires, and flooding animations. However, the player is given the ability to group several damage teams with experts and more efficiently prioritize the tasks."

:( That really sucks... that has always been one of my fav things in sub sims.. the damage control.

[Gizzmoe]

In case some of you haven´t noticed (I didn´t, Neal had to tell me :)), there are some video and sound files, just click the reel and speaker icons...

[Dowly]

The video didnt work for me. :cry:

[AJ!]

That was a good preview Neal :up:

One thing still bugs me though..... That picture of the sub fireing the Training torpedo, Is it actualy in game graphics or was that a rendered screenshot?

[Gizzmoe]

The video didnt work for me. :cry:
What happens? The audio files are also in MOV format btw, so don´t expect so see anything... :)

[Onkel Neal]

That was a good preview Neal :up:

One thing still bugs me though..... That picture of the sub fireing the Training torpedo, Is it actualy in game graphics or was that a rendered screenshot?

I took that screen right from the SH4 website :)

[Dowly]

The video didnt work for me. :cry:
What happens? The audio files are also in MOV format btw, so don´t expect so see anything... :)

I can hear the sounds, but the demov5.mov wont show any picture.

[Gizzmoe]

I can hear the sounds, but the demov5.mov wont show any picture.

Save it to your harddrive and then double-click the file. If that doesn´t work install a newer Quicktime version:
http://www.apple.com/uk/quicktime/download/win.html

[Onkel Neal]

"The damage center does not have a sub profile with little compartments, fires, and flooding animations. However, the player is given the ability to group several damage teams with experts and more efficiently prioritize the tasks."

:( That really sucks... that has always been one of my fav things in sub sims.. the damage control.


Yeah, the little sub cutaway with tiny fires or water splashing looks kinda neat but I don't think it's a big deal. A real submarine doesn't have it. My only gripe is the lack of AI Jap and US subs, but I understand the time crunch Ubisoft put them under. Plus, it leaves something to be added in SH5.... :hmm:

.

[Torplexed]

Thanks for the Review Neal. This is my first real look at the sim, since I've been holding off to keep my sanity. Excellent! They're using little 'z' icons to show when the crew is getting sacktime. I posted a graphic two years stating that that would have been superior to exclaimation marks...:lol:

http://www.eskimo.com/%7Esnowfall/FatigueThis.jpg

[Gizzmoe]

"The damage center does not have a sub profile with little compartments, fires, and flooding animations. However, the player is given the ability to group several damage teams with experts and more efficiently prioritize the tasks."

:( That really sucks... that has always been one of my fav things in sub sims.. the damage control.

Yeah, the little sub cutaway with tiny fires or water splashing looks kinda neat but I don't think it's a big deal. A real submarine doesn't have it.
So what does the damage control look like? We can have damage control teams and the´ll repair whatever they think need to be repaired first, or are they still ways to prioritíze repairs?

[StandingCow]

"The damage center does not have a sub profile with little compartments, fires, and flooding animations. However, the player is given the ability to group several damage teams with experts and more efficiently prioritize the tasks."

:( That really sucks... that has always been one of my fav things in sub sims.. the damage control.

Yeah, the little sub cutaway with tiny fires or water splashing looks kinda neat but I don't think it's a big deal. A real submarine doesn't have it.

So what does the damage control look like? We can have damage control teams and the´ll repair whatever they think need to be repaired first?

Looks like to me, its just a mini pic of a sub.. and you can put people in the damage control area...

Neal, does it still tell you that certain parts of the sub are damaged and those things stop working or work less? Is there any sort of indication on the pic of the sub what area is damaged? :)

Awesome interview btw, sorry to go right after the negative. :)

[STEED]

OK,OK YOU SOLD ME THE IDEA TO BUY IT STOP TORTURING ME WITH SNIP IT'S. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Well done. :up:

[THE_MASK]

Well it seems obvious to me that the UBI team have included many things that the subsim community has asked for in the time constraints that they had to work with . Good work:up:

[Barkhorn1x]

Good stuff Neal. Bummer about the lack of AI subs. And I too wonder how you figure out what is damaged.

Also I don't get the 3 levels on the crew management screen - can you give us a rundown on what these mean?

Barkhorn.

[Woof1701]

Very nice Neal. Thanks!!
Can't wait for a Grey Wolves - Battle of the Atlantic Mod to be realeased for that :rotfl:

[hyperion2206]

Great article, I'm counting the days till release, now I know how a prisoner feels waiting to be released!:rock:
I don't want to pester you Neal:oops:, but did they tell you which rank one will obtain upon starting the career?

[Safe-Keeper]

I remember when SH4 was but a vague, unconfirmed rumour. Then came the sketchy info, then the screenshots, then the dev diaries...

And now we're months from release, with Neal already playing the game.

Wow.

- - - - - -

After reading the preview and watching the screenshots:

What's with the guy lying there on the deck in the command room? Is he dead, asleep, drunk, or hypnotized? I notice a leak in the back of the picture, so I assume it has to do with battle damage.
Sometimes a harbor will be empty, sometimes you may see a battleship. "Every time the player starts a mission, it's a different world," explains Dan. "It's based on realistic scenarios, but there's no telling what will happen." Awesome. I wonder if they did this by making a really detailed .scr layer, or by making some really great improved Random Generated Group feature.
The dynamic "rescue wounded pilot" objectives: :o
[I]Speaking of risky business, I didn't get to play the game enough to evaluate the weather but I'm told your deck watch may take casualties in monsoons. Wow, so MOB is implemented, too. Wonderful. I wonder if they'll let us pick up MOBs from our boat or if they are lost forever.
Sinking ships will have survivors and lifeboats [...] Wow. Likely to spawn some discussion indeed. I like it, though.
Another new element: the enemy ships will signal to each other with their searchlights. Splendid! Wo-hoo! Here's hoping they make as much of that feature as possible.

[codmander]

dudes in the raft:up: and lifeboats too i would think:cool:

[Boris]

I'm a little dissappointed about the repair screen and radio room...

but as for all the other features, Frak Yeah! :rock:

It has many of the features I've been dreaming of, just a shame they had to take those small steps backward.
The stock SH3 world was dead, it looks as though they've managed to make it come alive. I love the fact that there are lifeboats and downed pilots etc. Does this mean there are men on deck too?

With the AI subs and wolfpacks, another one of those features that really needed to be done, but unfortunately wasn't. But I'm sure they can be modded to at least the level of GWX.

@ Neal, was there any more mention of the rumoured increased modability of the game?

EDIT: A couple more questions :)

I noticed that the music is still the music from SH3. Was there mention of it being changed? Also, why was the game run windowed? I hope this isn't because it doesn't have widescreen support. Was there any talk of the game resolutions?

[fredbass]

Good stuff Neal. I'm getting a bit excited now. :yep:

@ Neal, was there any more mention of the rumoured increased modability of the game?

I was wondering the same thing.

[Chooky88]

Whats this in your article about "cutting your teeth on Aces of the Deep"????

Silent Service 1985 Baby..On my Commodore 64. Had to load it with a casette tape!

Played that sucker for hours on end, and Sid Meirs "Pirates"


OMG I'm ooooold!!!!!!

Hey, does it have Fremantle Port in the game? Largest Southern Hemisphere allied sub base in WW2. British, Australian, Dutch and US subs.

Sidenote.:know: (The Dutch had to change their hat bands to English.. The Gothic writing meant some local idiots confused them for Germans..As if a U Boat crew would pull up for a cold one at the 'Sail and Anchor' But thats Freo for you. Been yobbos there since the 30's.)

[Cage]

"Bernard was here" :rotfl: Guess he had to go before the man a few times, eh?

I too am a bit bummed about loosing the radioroom. I've spent many a night in the captains bed staring at the radioroom to stay sane, while attempting to read a book in real life. This is my x1 get-a-way spot. :cry:

Looking forward to all the radio broadcasts as well.

[Safe-Keeper]

I thought they were going to throw me out on the street when I asked to see the multiplayer section of the game. I didn't really ask, of course. In true Subsim fashion, I simply ended the mission I was playing and went to the game menu and hit Multiplayer. Well, I saw it, I played it, and I'll tell you all about it in the next Subsim SH4 report. (http://www.subsim.com/sh4/demo_mp_sh4.php):rotfl:

Holy ****. That made my day indeed:rotfl: .

[Abraham]

Great info, Neal.
Graphics look terrific, but yeah, sorry about that radio room.
And eh, life boats with survivors!
Let's see who turns into a virtual war criminal...

Can't wait too much longer!:rock:

[hyperion2206]

After reading the preview and watching the screenshots:
What's with the guy lying there on the deck in the command room? Is he dead, asleep, drunk, or hypnotized? I notice a leak in the back of the picture, so I assume it has to do with battle damage.


I was wondering as well what's wrong with the officer (?), I guess he's either dead, wounded or lost consciousness because they ran out off breathable air.:hmm:

[TDK1044]

The DEVS have listened to many thoughts expressed on this Forum and have made significant improvements over SH3. The visual look of the game is considerably enhanced, as is the game play.

Many thanks to Dan and his team! :D

[bart]

Great review Neal..............:up:

Personally I'm a bit dissapointed at the lack of radio room, not to mention other parts of the boat not modeled. I was kinda looking forward to exploring other compartments, as Neal said it adds to the immersion thing.

Other than that it looks great. Looking forward to getting my mits on it.

[Dowly]

I noticed on one screenshot, that the ship farthest away is blurred. Neal, is this one of the new features? Things far away are blurry?

This´ what I´m talking about:
http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/sh4asset1.jpg

[Brag]

Interesting preview, but comparisons seem to be with stock SHIII version. How does it compare to GWX?

[_Seth_]

Lookin' forward to this! :up::up::up:

[IRONxMortlock]

Yep, looks quite nice.

Thanks for that Neil, though in this case I have the distinct impression that the pleasure was very much yours!:p

EDIT - ARGH - It was this post that gave me the cursed "bonnet" avatar! Had to happen sooner or later I guess.
________
2BESTPUSSY4U (http://www.girlcamfriend.com/cam/2bestpussy4u/)

[hyperion2206]

I noticed on one screenshot, that the ship farthest away is blurred. Neal, is this one of the new features? Things far away are blurry?

This´ what I´m talking about:
http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/sh4asset1.jpg


Compared to SH III SH IV screenshots allways give me the feeling of black and white photos that have been recoloured. You know what I mean?:hmm:

[Boris]

I noticed on one screenshot, that the ship farthest away is blurred. Neal, is this one of the new features? Things far away are blurry?

This´ what I´m talking about:
http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/sh4asset1.jpg

The devs said they'd implement depth of field if they had time... looks like they had time

[Gizzmoe]

So what does the damage control look like? We can have damage control teams and the´ll repair whatever they think need to be repaired first, or are they still ways to prioritíze repairs?
I´ve asked Neal. His reply: "The damage control station is not finished, but the version I saw did allow the player to set priorities and assign damage control teams, plus the AI will not wait for you to reassign the dc team when the complete a task, it will begin work on the next area in need."

He doesn´t recall any more specific details regarding damage control.

[don1reed]

...looking down from his office, the Admiral could see steely-eyed, determined, young men, locked in the sole purpose of readying their Subs for action against an unseen enemy. Oh how he longed to be at their side...

just like being there--the hurry up and waiting part, that is.:) (great teaser's ghost!)

[ReallyDedPoet]

IRONxMortlock (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/member.php?u=222387)

Nice bonnet:rotfl::rotfl:

[Iron Budokan]

It looks pretty good so far. I'm looking forward to it.

[mr chris]

Was not really that intrested in SH4 but that preview of yours just made me think again nice work Neal.:up:
Am really thinking about picking the game up now when i comes out.

[CCIP]

So what does the damage control look like? We can have damage control teams and the´ll repair whatever they think need to be repaired first, or are they still ways to prioritíze repairs?
I´ve asked Neal. His reply: "The damage control station is not finished, but the version I saw did allow the player to set priorities and assign damage control teams, plus the AI will not wait for you to reassign the dc team when the complete a task, it will begin work on the next area in need."

He doesn´t recall any more specific details regarding damage control.

So that actually sounds like an improvement over the too-micromanaged (in my view) damage control station in SHIII. Presuming they can tweak out the damage itself in time, I really don't have that much concern over the damage control 'station'. The important thing is that there be damage and that damage be appropriately managed (and perhaps not with 5-second repairs, either). Personally, I think this will be better and bring in a little bit of 'fog of war' to the whole thing.

As for the radio room, I don't think I'll miss it much. In the end it did come down to just a little notepad, and that's precisely what we get in SHIV...

[Syxx_Killer]

Great first look, Neal! I loved your expression when they told you, you had training torpedoes. :rotfl: Reading this preview of sorts, I am looking forward to this sim more than ever. Finally, a sim that goes back to the Pacific. Sounds like a real winner. The last time I played a "sim" in the Pacific was Silent Service on the NES. I love the idea of special missions in the campaign. That's why SHIII got so dreadfully boring - it the same thing over and over.

[StandingCow]

So what does the damage control look like? We can have damage control teams and the´ll repair whatever they think need to be repaired first, or are they still ways to prioritíze repairs?
I´ve asked Neal. His reply: "The damage control station is not finished, but the version I saw did allow the player to set priorities and assign damage control teams, plus the AI will not wait for you to reassign the dc team when the complete a task, it will begin work on the next area in need."

He doesn´t recall any more specific details regarding damage control.
So that actually sounds like an improvement over the too-micromanaged (in my view) damage control station in SHIII. Presuming they can tweak out the damage itself in time, I really don't have that much concern over the damage control 'station'. The important thing is that there be damage and that damage be appropriately managed (and perhaps not with 5-second repairs, either). Personally, I think this will be better and bring in a little bit of 'fog of war' to the whole thing.

As for the radio room, I don't think I'll miss it much. In the end it did come down to just a little notepad, and that's precisely what we get in SHIV...

I enjoyed it.. but my worry was not enough different sub systems taking damage. or how you would get a good overview of how injuired your sub is. Guess I will have to wait and see how this comes along, I am a bit less worried now that it has been explained somewhat.

[geetrue]

So that actually sounds like an improvement over the too-micromanaged (in my view) damage control station in SHIII. Presuming they can tweak out the damage itself in time, I really don't have that much concern over the damage control 'station'. The important thing is that there be damage and that damage be appropriately managed (and perhaps not with 5-second repairs, either). Personally, I think this will be better and bring in a little bit of 'fog of war' to the whole thing.

As for the radio room, I don't think I'll miss it much. In the end it did come down to just a little notepad, and that's precisely what we get in SHIV...

I just got here at 7:30 am pst and 85 viewers were already here ... spells lost of interest for SH4 ...

I think the key to damage control will be in not being so brave that you need DC ...

Those AI guys can hurt a charging skipper ...

Run silent run deep means just that, plus sneaky and always have a stern shot up your sleeve can save the day.

Thanks Neal ... I know you have more concern for love of the game than money and fame.

[Safe-Keeper]

Here's hoping for more radio traffic. I did not realize how much this really added before Falcon 4.0 introduced me to its splendid dynamic campaign. You hear constant radio messages from everyone, with mayday signals, spotted enemies, orders, requests, permissions, ATC chatter, and what-have-you.

Making radio traffic in SH4 dynamic (as was perhaps planned for SHIII) would improve the game so much. Imagine, for example, torpedoing a merchant and actually hearing its SSS signal, or being found by an aircraft and listening to the "U-boat spotted" message it sends in Japanese to its "Home Plate".

Also, if every radio message gets a .wav file associated to it, or if at least we can add something like that with modding... I'm in Heaven (although I guess that's too much to ask for).

[DanCanovas]

good work! cant wait :rock:

[Safe-Keeper]

You sent me to sea with training warheads?!:lol: (http://www.subsim.com/sh4/training_warheads.mov)

[AG124]

This is one of my favorite parts of the proeview:

The catalogue of ships and vessels has grown considerably since SH3. "We took a look at the ships we put into this game," Dan said. "I was just reading on the Subsim forums, they said, 'You know, for Silent Hunter III they only had the official commissioned type of ships.' So we took a very good look at Japanese ship designs and we wanted to provide a broad range of designs. Different company types, rakes, bows, superstructures, all vary according to time of the period. It's a broader range than Silent Hunter III." And the marus don't look all shiny and clean, rather like vessels in rough commerce duty.

:hmm:

:o

Finally, generic merchants!:D No more C2s and C3s - not that the Japanese would have used those anyway. The only mass produced Japanese merchant that I can think of right now is the ugly "Standard Merchant" with the aft deckhouse, I wouldn't even mind if those were included (it is just one class out of an apparently large number of merchant classes). And the ones in those pictures = :rock::rock::rock:. Especially the two-funnelled transport.:yep:

And the S-Class Sub will be included after all - good to see that not only did the Dev Team include a historically important sub, but they took note of community opinions as well.:up:

Definitely looking forward to the release of this game.

[Sailor Steve]

I see I got here a little late!




After reading the preview and watching the screenshots:

What's with the guy lying there on the deck in the command room? Is he dead, asleep, drunk, or hypnotized? I notice a leak in the back of the picture, so I assume it has to do with battle damage.


I was wondering as well what's wrong with the officer (?), I guess he's either dead, wounded or lost consciousness because they ran out off breathable air.:hmm:
Look again. There are several guys lying on the floor, not just the officer. A planesman is slumped in his chair and there are some feet off to the right.
http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/c_screen_sh4_7.jpg

Love the new screenshots: marines in a raft, great looking merchies. Increased radio traffic, multiple damage-control teams, off-duty sailors actually sleep when they need it (little 'Z's above their heads), S-boats!

This is looking good!

So, this may sound odd from someone who staunchly defends the Pacific campaign idea, but WHEN WILL WE SEE ALL THIS COOL STUFF IN AN SH3 UPGRADE?

[mookiemookie]

Wowowowow! Is it March yet? :arrgh!: :D

[Finback]

It looks very good! Thank You Neal for the inside look!

Without going into detail regarding AI (which I hope is more historic--for escorts especially) and gameplay improvements (and I believe Ubi listens to subsim communtiy input) I was very pleased to read that they may patch the game for DX10.

As for lifeboats: For those who plan to get nasty, make sure the occupants aren't POWs...

Sure hope they base me at Perth. Maybe I'll do some kangaroo hunting between runs.

:rock:

[Leod]

Wow ... looks great! And I was disappointed by it not being Atlantic war.

I am also very curious about the dead/unconscious officers. Perhaps this is really whats going on in our SH3 U-Boats when the fatigue kicks in :lol:

One thing I remember reading from the devs was a fully 3D environment, which I imagined was like CTRL F2 interior free view in SH3. Is this the case? Or do you still jump from room to room? The ommitance of a Radio room would suggest the latter. Also, if you dont have the station shortcuts at the bottom of the screen, does this meen you have travel to each officer, and ask them to do something mano e mano? I'm not too hot on US subs, but German ones had a PA system, and pipes from the bridge to the control room for communication. How is this representsed? Maybe I've just got my wires crossed.

[AG124]

I should also mention that despite the fact that we will not be able to begin a career in 1945, I am glad that campaigns started earlier will include 1945. I doubt that I myself would ever start a 1945 campaign anyway, although that might be an important ommission to other players.

[Kapitan_Phillips]

Neal, your voice is awesome. "You sent me to sea with training warheads?!" :rotfl:

[FIREWALL]

Hi Neal.:p

We'll what do you really think of it ? Worth the $19.99 ?:rotfl:

[Finback]

I wonder if those guys in the control room are low on air? That would mean prolonged dc pursuits which naturally would be good and bad.

:hmm:

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm all over this like a cheap suit!!!:up:

[Safe-Keeper]

The review mentioned that people will fall asleep if forced to work for prolonged periods of time. Is that it?

[Uber Gruber]

Well I think its pants!:arrgh!:

But I really do hope it can be modded so that the whole Atlantic War can be re-created, ala SH3. No offence to you yank lads but i've absolutely no interest whatsoever in the Pacific war...not even a little bit.:nope:

Helpfully, Hans.

[GSpector]

So far, I am still impressed.

I also do hope that there will be a cut-away view of the Sub for damage control when the Sim is released or patched in later possibly with the other stations.

Since I've always had an interest in the Awards in Sims, I was glad to see them but surprised to see them ghosted out. I prefer them listed in the manual but not actually in game until earned.

By biggest grip with the Awards in SH3 was that I had no idea what each player did but I had to pass out the Awards. I hope I no longer have to micromanage these Awards. B-17 II did this correctly. I never had to ever see the players in other Aircraft but if they performed well, the Sim gave then their well deserved Awards.

Since everyone else is just guessing at these guys on the floor, I am going to guess (based on that sparking or spraying) that they are either wounded or dead due to battle damage. I Can't imagine a Captain (U.S. or any other) would allow sleeping on the bridge for any length of time longer then a blink:hmm:

[mr chris]

Well ive done some more looking around since i posted eariler and have been quite impressed with what ive found. Really looking forward to it:yep: Any idea when one can pre-order a copy via Subsim??

[Sailor Steve]

I just took a closer look at the Crew Management Screen

http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/c_screen_sh4_1.jpg

and I had some thoughts:

1) While I agree that it's too bad there's no cutaway view for damage control, this is the crew screen; there are two other links at the top, apparently for torpedoes and engine room?

2) At a glance you can tell that the first watch is off duty, the second watch is on duty and the third watch is in their bunks sleeping (Zz).

3) It looks like there are specific crews assigned to Damage Control and the Deck-and-AA guns, ready to man those positions when ordered to.

4) The individual crew member shown has different skill levels for his different qualifications, i.e. not only are we shown that he's qualified, he's better at some things than others.

5) Morale: Fanatical !!?

Looks pretty cool so far!

[GSpector]

Regarding the picture above, I think it would be better if on the left side, it actually showed the Ranks. I have no idea what rank7 7-12 are. Could this be E7 (CPO) to O2 (LtJG)?

Were there any Warrent Officers. If so then is 12 a CWO2?

[Hartmann]

No cut view of the boat ?? :doh: :hmm:

Well ...First mod ..Replace the closed view of the boat in the top of the screen and replace it with other open. like SH1

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1613/sh000sm0.jpg

[Payoff]

Thanks Neal, very informative.
From what you saw, exactly which compartments will be 3D?
Will we still get the Captains Quarters with a desk and calender and such?

U.S. Subs had two sonar stations, one in the bow torpedo room and one in the conning tower. Can we still man the hydro in the tower ourselves?


As for the Radio Room. I guess we could always mod the clipboard to show a radio room in the background. If UBI has'nt already done this.

The sailors on the floor appear to be under depth charge attack. I hope the lights still flicker.

[THE_MASK]

The crew management screen . I can see that my first mod will be to make the CONNING TO WER , CONNING TOWER .

[Payoff]

The crew management screen . I can see that my first mod will be to make the CONNING TO WER , CONNING TOWER .

:rotfl:

[Safe-Keeper]

1) While I agree that it's too bad there's no cutaway view for damage control, this is the crew screen; there are two other links at the top, apparently for torpedoes and engine room?Or Damage Control and Torpedo management. Isn't that just as likely:-??

4) The individual crew member shown has different skill levels for his different qualifications, i.e. not only are we shown that he's qualified, he's better at some things than others.Indeed. Far more realistic.

5) Morale: Fanatical !!?Don't sailors in Silent Hunter III have morale, too? I'm pretty sure they do in GWX.

Regarding the picture above, I think it would be better if on the left side, it actually showed the Ranks. I have no idea what rank7 7-12 are. Could this be E7 (CPO) to O2 (LtJG)? I prefer the numbers by far, as us laymen can't interpret by looking at ranks alone how high up in the hiearchy a given person is. Perhaps it's an in-game option, or moddable, for your smarter people;).

No cut view of the boat ?? :doh: :hmm: They perform better when left in one piece:p.

[DanCanovas]

im a bit disappointed theres less 3d stations than in 3

[Safe-Keeper]

Where's that "Humourous SH4 images" thread I posted an eternity ago?

Anyways, here's announcing the second ever mod for Silent Hunter 4 (following the "Conning to wer" fix:p):
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r292/safe-keeper/hangovermod.jpg
I hope it'll suite your tastes.

[hyperion2206]

I just took a closer look at the Crew Management Screen

http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/c_screen_sh4_1.jpg

and I had some thoughts:

1) While I agree that it's too bad there's no cutaway view for damage control, this is the crew screen; there are two other links at the top, apparently for torpedoes and engine room?

2) At a glance you can tell that the first watch is off duty, the second watch is on duty and the third watch is in their bunks sleeping (Zz).

3) It looks like there are specific crews assigned to Damage Control and the Deck-and-AA guns, ready to man those positions when ordered to.

4) The individual crew member shown has different skill levels for his different qualifications, i.e. not only are we shown that he's qualified, he's better at some things than others.

5) Morale: Fanatical !!?

Looks pretty cool so far!

It seems to me that ranks 10-12 are officers (these avatars are wearing hats) and ranks 7-9 are NCOs.

[Boris]

Rank over numbers any day! It's not hard to learn a few rank names. Or use the rank insignia symbol.

[Barkhorn1x]

Rank over numbers any day! It's not hard to learn a few rank names. Or use the rank insignia symbol.

Agreed - more immersive - and my guess is a bunch of stuff on that screen are just placeholders.

Barkhorn.

[Zero Niner]

Whats this in your article about "cutting your teeth on Aces of the Deep"????

Silent Service 1985 Baby..On my Commodore 64. Had to load it with a casette tape!

Played that sucker for hours on end, and Sid Meirs "Pirates"


OMG I'm ooooold!!!!!!

That makes 2 of us!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I remember navigating on the world map using a 2-button joystick heh.

Did you play Silent Service 2 as well?

[GSpector]

I don't think I was able to get into Silent Service(1) or Gato, but Red Storm Rising and Silent Service 2 where I really got my start with Sub Sims. :up:

[Safe-Keeper]

Bah, earliest sub sim here is the 688 demo.

[Payoff]

No cut view of the boat ?? :doh: :hmm:

Well ...First mod ..Replace the closed view of the boat in the top of the screen and replace it with other open. like SH1

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1613/sh000sm0.jpg


How bout this?
[/URL][URL=http://imageshack.us]http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/3556/sh4assetbw2.jpg (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/)

[Snowman999]

I just took a closer look at the Crew Management Screen

http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/c_screen_sh4_1.jpg

and I had some thoughts:

1) While I agree that it's too bad there's no cutaway view for damage control, this is the crew screen; there are two other links at the top, apparently for torpedoes and engine room?

2) At a glance you can tell that the first watch is off duty, the second watch is on duty and the third watch is in their bunks sleeping (Zz).

3) It looks like there are specific crews assigned to Damage Control and the Deck-and-AA guns, ready to man those positions when ordered to.

4) The individual crew member shown has different skill levels for his different qualifications, i.e. not only are we shown that he's qualified, he's better at some things than others.

5) Morale: Fanatical !!?

Looks pretty cool so far!

6. Should be Control Room, not Command Room.

7. Should be Engine Room, not plural.

8. Yellow frame around deck gunner= wounded? Or is that Voge?

9. Blue/green/red backgrounds on awake crew? Is this experience, multiple skills, or what?

10. Put me down for using real ranks.

11. Officer names appear to be era-correct. They sound (and look) like 1940s USN officers.

[donut]

<You don´t need to post that in three different threads - Gizzmoe>

[Boris]

8. He's a national geographic reporter?

9. Looks like further rank identifiers. Green for the sailors, red for the NCOs...
Which leads me to realise something I didn't notice in SH3 until now. You couldn't promote sailor ranks through to the NCO ranks, although it should be possible.

[Uber Gruber]

8. He's a national geographic reporter?

:rotfl::rotfl::hmm:

[donut]

I posted in three threads because your control issues are not positive, some times.

[GSpector]

Hello Boris,

Quote :" 9. Looks like further rank identifiers. Green for the sailors, red for the NCOs...
Which leads me to realise something I didn't notice in SH3 until now. You couldn't promote sailor ranks through to the NCO ranks, although it should be possible. "

Actually, I think if you use SH3 Commander you can Promote or Demote any Crewman.:hmm:

[Myxale]

This game is Doomed ...Bernard was here...just look at this pic. The boxes next to the US Flags

http://www.subsim.com/sh4/dranreb.htm (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/../sh4/dranreb.htm)

:up:

[hyperion2206]

Hello Boris,

Quote :" 9. Looks like further rank identifiers. Green for the sailors, red for the NCOs...
Which leads me to realise something I didn't notice in SH3 until now. You couldn't promote sailor ranks through to the NCO ranks, although it should be possible. "

Actually, I think if you use SH3 Commander you can Promote or Demote any Crewman.:hmm:

In SH3 you can actually promote a Sailor to NCO, but SH3 Commander doesn't allow you to do so.

[Sailor Steve]

6. Should be Control Room, not Command Room.
Good point. I didn't notice that.

7. Should be Engine Room, not plural.
Again, good point. On the other hand, Fleet boats had two engine rooms, with two diesels each; so there should be two engine rooms. And where is the motor room?

10. Put me down for using real ranks.
Me too.

11. Officer names appear to be era-correct. They sound (and look) like 1940s USN officers.
The names don't bother me too much, because there will almost certainly be a need for an SH4 Commander. If they don't have combinations of all the US submariners' names, a mod surely will.

[Sailor Steve]

1) While I agree that it's too bad there's no cutaway view for damage control, this is the crew screen; there are two other links at the top, apparently for torpedoes and engine room?Or Damage Control and Torpedo management. Isn't that just as likely:-??
Of course. That's why I posed it as a question.

5) Morale: Fanatical !!?Don't sailors in Silent Hunter III have morale, too? I'm pretty sure they do in GWX.[/quote]
I'm sure the do too; but they don't have labels like "Poor", "Good", "Fanatical".

[Gino]

And where is the motor room?

Maneuvering Room would be more correct...

groetjes,

[Sailor Steve]

I've heard of the maneuvering room. Is that actually where the electric motors are? No matter how much you know, there is always one more little thing...

[Safe-Keeper]

8. He's a national geographic reporter?U-96 had Lt. Werner, USS Gato has this guy. Same thing;).

[Gino]

I've heard of the maneuvering room. Is that actually where the electric motors are? No matter how much you know, there is always one more little thing...

Yep, That's where the motors are.

It also is the 'gas-pedal' of the boat. Any orders sent by Motor Order Telegraph were received in here. Then the crew would act accordingly.

Have a look at this link:
http://www.usscod.org/man.html

groetjes,

[Barkhorn1x]

The IGN preview states that once you sink a capitol ship it will not reappear in the campaign - that means you only get a crack at 2 Yamato class BBs. I seem to remember that this was NOT the case in SHI.

Neal, can you confirm that this is true?

Barkhorn.

[dean_acheson]

Wow, I can't wait for this to come out.

I really love fleet boats.

[AG124]

The IGN preview states that once you sink a capitol ship it will not reappear in the campaign - that means you only get a crack at 2 Yamato class BBs. I seem to remember that this was NOT the case in SHI.
Yes, I noticed this too and mentioned it another thread. Interesting thought, isn't it?:hmm:

In SHI, I remember sinking four Nagato class BBs in one campaign once - all in 1944 I think.:o This was despite the fact that in RL, only two were ever built, and only the Nagato was still afloat in 1944.:cool: It would be rather good to see this kind of historical inconsistency solved through such a solution as this, at least in IMO.

[Snowman999]

7. Should be Engine Room, not plural.
Again, good point. On the other hand, Fleet boats had two engine rooms, with two diesels each; so there should be two engine rooms. And where is the motor room?

Have to check manuals, but wasn't it called the After Battery Compartment? Maneuvering was a watch station in After Battery. I think.

11. Officer names appear to be era-correct. They sound (and look) like 1940s USN officers.
The names don't bother me too much, because there will almost certainly be a need for an SH4 Commander. If they don't have combinations of all the US submariners' names, a mod surely will.[/quote]

I meant they are all WASP-ish, not 21st C. politically-correct. The WWII USN officer corps was pretty class-stratified. I also notice the crew icons all appear to be white. African-Americans served only as wardroom stewards, and that's never been a watch-station (cook either . . . err, Commissaryman), but stewards did have DC duties and ought to be represented if the entire crew (in 3-section watches--slackers!!) is shown on the crew screen.

[Snowman999]

[quote]7. Should be Engine Room, not plural.
Again, good point. On the other hand, Fleet boats had two engine rooms, with two diesels each; so there should be two engine rooms. And where is the motor room?


Have to check manuals, but wasn't it called the After Battery Compartment? Maneuvering was a watch station in After Battery. I think.

Correcting myself, After Battery is forward of both engine rooms, and Maneuvering is its own compartment aft of the ERs and forward of the After TR.

A great resource for all interested in WWII USN subs is at http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/index.htm

It is a copy, with mucho photos, of the WWII fleet boat indoc. manuals issued to all new crew members. Their copy is from 1946, formerly classified, and reflects the USS Perch's layout. My dad has a hardcover version I've read and the on-line version is faithful to it. The amount of detail is fantastic. It was used as the entry-point to submarine quals. In particular the drawings and photos alone are worth a look. I hope the developers have a copy or at least are aware of this site.

[benetofski]

I've been away from the forums for some time, however, if SH4 is soon to be launched (excuse the pun!) I'm kinda curious to know whether:

1. Crew renderings be a little more 'realistic looking' than in SH3 ('action-man' type figures) - as this would be a definate plus!

2. Will we see better performance with DX10?

3. Will we have to deal with that stupid 'StarFarce' all over again?

4. Will we be able to upload (or change skins) so that those of us that prefer to sail with the Kreigsmarine ;) can still do some damage to the USN ?

5. Will there be a 'jump to action' key rather than (Zzzzzz) have to go through all the band-playing-leaving-port nonsense?

Comments anyone?

[Boris]

1. Yes

2. Maybe

3. No

4. Depends if it can be modded, we hope so

5. Nonsense?, I though everyone loves this part. Theres people who do whole patrols in real time. "Jump to action" is for arcade games.

[Onkel Neal]

5. Nonsense?, I though everyone loves this part. Theres people who do whole patrols in real time. "Jump to action" is for arcade games.

No kidding, I agree. The leaving port sequence was excellent and added to the overall feeling of a war-period simulation. Sheesh, people complain about everything.

[Gizzmoe]

5. Nonsense?, I though everyone loves this part. Theres people who do whole patrols in real time. "Jump to action" is for arcade games.

"Jump to action" is for people who either don´t have the time, interest or patience to start at port. "B-17 Flying Fortress 2" - not really an arcade game - had such a hotkey. Since Ubi also targets casual gamers it would be a useful addition to the game.

[Onkel Neal]

5. Nonsense?, I though everyone loves this part. Theres people who do whole patrols in real time. "Jump to action" is for arcade games.

"Jump to action" is for people who either don´t have the time, interest or patience to start at port. "B-17 Flying Fortress 2" - not really an arcade game - had such a hotkey. Since Ubi also targets casual gamers it would be a useful addition to the game.

Ok, I agree with benetofski and you, having an instant action option would be fine, but I still say the port scene was fantastic, the first 600 times or so :)

[CCIP]

I think it's got nothing to do with the port, though, and everything to do with the Time Compression system. "Jump to action" would require a serious re-doing of the TC system, and I seriously doubt that was a high priority for SHIV (even if, from what I understand, the TC was optimized a bit).

For the die-hards like me, of course, this is irrelevant (the option to 'jump' I mean).

[Wolfie39]

Wow! Thanks Neal for giving us the preview. Also Thanks to the development team for allowing you to bring us the preview. SH4 looks amazing. I can't wait untill March 16th. :arrgh!: On the crew names though there apears to be a missing crew member. I think his name starts with B!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rock:

[The General]

Thanks Neal! Very nice work. You can actually see the sub traveling beneath the surface, fantastic! Roll on March 16th (if that's the European release date)!

:up:

[Henchman]

...Real ranks not numbers - ditto.

I noticed by looking at Seaman Recruit Vouge's profile that the awards appear limited to Purple Heart, then Bronze Star, and up from there.... These are individual "war hero" type of medals and not really appropriate for everyday operations - even during war time. I've been in the US Navy for 13 years now (8 of those years in the reserves) Awards are a major part of navy life and I would love to see this get a little more emphasis in SH4. I'm sure a "SH4 Commander" mod would be able to do this but still...

There should be some everyday "good-work-sailor" awards avaliable such as the "Navy Achievement Medal", Navy Commendation", "Navy Good Conduct Medal", The Navy "E" etc... They should be able to be awarded multiple times by adding stars to the ribbon. Campaign ribbons and unit awards from COMSUBPAC would be nice too.

The Submarine Warfare Badge "dolphins" along with the "SS" in the name title is absolutely essential for a U.S. Navy sim - these badges should come in silver for enlisted and gold for officers. Under no circumstances may this be left out of the sim. An SOP for how to earn this badge would have to be defined... in real life a sailor would have to be "checked out / qualified" on all the vital submarine systems. Perhaps they could earn it in SH4 by having a minimum skill level in each compartment.

These little things do so much in adding to the immersion.

[Safe-Keeper]

Well, Falcon 4.0 does give you the ability to choose where to start.

Ramp: Parked with engine off.
Taxi: On the taxiway with engine on, ready to navigate onto runway and get going.
Take-off: On the runway ready to lift off!

In addition, you've got an entire map of all the action, with every single known instance from factories and hotels to tanks and airplanes. It's in real-time, with a time compression option, and it tells you when your plane is heading out. So if your flight leaves at 12:30 and you wait until 12:45 with entering the game, you'll find yourself in the air, 15 minutes from the runway. It's pretty smart, though of course really unrealistic. I wouldn't want it for SH4, but it's not a bad feature.

[Snowman999]

I noticed by looking at Seaman Recruit Vouge's profile that the awards appear limited to Purple Heart, then Bronze Star, and up from there.... These are individual "war hero" type of medals and not really appropriate for everyday operations - even during war time.

And not awarded to enlisted members. There might be a couple of exceptions for the Bronze Star, but I don't know of any. I'm speaking of SS service here, not general USN. NAvy Crosses were pretty much CO awards, with the XO etc. getting lesser awards for the same action. I think there were seven MOH awards in WWII subs--Submarine School used to have dramatic artists' renderings of each action hanging framed on the second deck of the classroom building. The screenshot of the officer sagging on the deck reminds me of the one for the MOH won onboard USS Sculpin.

Medal of Honor citation for Captain John P. Cromwell (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 170):


"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commander of a Submarine Coordinated Attack Group with Flag in the U.S.S. Sculpin, during the Ninth War Patrol of that vessel in enemy-controlled waters off Truk Island, November 19, 1943. Undertaking this patrol prior to the launching of our first large-scale offensive in the Pacific, Captain Cromwell, alone of the entire Task Group, possessed secret intelligence information of our submarine strategy and tactics, scheduled Fleet movements and specific attack plans. Constantly vigilant and precise in carrying out his secret orders, he moved his underseas flotilla inexorably forward despite savage opposition and established a line of submarines to southeastward of the main Japanese stronghold at Truk. Cool and undaunted as the submarine, rocked and battered by Japanese depth-charges, sustained terrific battle damage and sank to an excessive depth, he authorized the Sculpin to surface and engage the enemy in a gun-fight, thereby providing an opportunity for the crew to abandon ship. Determined to sacrifice himself rather than risk capture and subsequent danger of revealing plans under Japanese torture or use of drugs, he stoically remained aboard the mortally wounded vessel as she plunged to her death. Preserving the security of his mission at the cost of his own life, he had served his country as he had served the Navy, with deep integrity and an uncompromising devotion to duty. His great moral courage in the face of certain death adds new luster to the traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."




There should be some everyday "good-work-sailor" awards avaliable such as the "Navy Achievement Medal", Navy Commendation", "Navy Good Conduct Medal", The Navy "E" etc... They should be able to be awarded multiple times by adding stars to the ribbon. Campaign ribbons and unit awards from COMSUBPAC would be nice too.



The Navy Commendation Medal didn't exist until January 1944. The Navy Achievement Medal was sometime in the 1960s I beleive. WWII sailors had a lot less salad than modern day guys. Mostly Good Conduct and "I was there" campaign medals. The really good ones, of course, were very expensive. That hasn't changed.

I don't know when the Navy 'E' program began. I do know that the Presidential Unit Citation was a VERY valued award in WWII, and pretty rare. It was the unit equivalent of a Navy Cross for the whole crew.


The Submarine Warfare Badge "dolphins" along with the "SS" in the name title is absolutely essential for a U.S. Navy sim - these badges should come in silver for enlisted and gold for officers.

Agree. Getting dolphins is the high point of any bubblehead's career.

[stabiz]

5. Nonsense?, I though everyone loves this part. Theres people who do whole patrols in real time. "Jump to action" is for arcade games.
"Jump to action" is for people who either don´t have the time, interest or patience to start at port. "B-17 Flying Fortress 2" - not really an arcade game - had such a hotkey. Since Ubi also targets casual gamers it would be a useful addition to the game.

I disagree, thats what single missions are for!

Gotta love the port bit!

[Donner]

Agree. Getting dolphins is the high point of any bubblehead's career.

From Neal's first look...in last paragraph before Multiplayer Adversarial Mode... On those long patrols, an active player may choose to appoint "leaders" with expertise and experience over some of the green crew members, to spur them on and increase the battle-readiness of the sub.

Sounds like this might be possible. I am very interested in seeing how this will be accomplished.

[Safe-Keeper]

I wouldn't mind much being able to start right outside the port, or out on the open sea, but to jump all the way to the "front line" is a bit too much.

[fredbass]

I'd just like to chime in on the 'Jump to action' thingy. I agree 100% with stabiz. That's what single missions are for.

IMO, it would be rediculous to put in something like that in the campaign. The whole deal is that noone really should know when and where they will run into the enemy. Too many people think they need to skip by huge sections of water to get to a certain area, but what you've done is possibly skip by half the targets you would have encountered if you'd actually covered the territory in the first place. And after skipping ahead, you arrive to find no targets. Well dumby, you just went right past 2 big convoys because you were in too much of a hurry to get somewhere which may or may not have any targets anyway. Get my point? :damn: :know:

But yes, it would be nice to be able to turn TC up without missing something or ending up dead by doing so. ;)

[Safe-Keeper]

Something just occured to me, though, while looking at that screenshot with the spectacularly exploding bombers.

Silent Hunter 4 is aimed in part at the action player - the people who want to be fighting 80% of the time. Given that, I think it's possible that there might be an option to start out on sea after all, for those people.

However, I don't really know how it'd work. We already do have a "Skip to next action sequence" feature - it's called 1024-4000+ time compression.

[Hartmann]

i like start in port , adds a lot in the gameplay an inmersion.

But for people who don´t want it i´m sure that modders can change start location coordinades to other place like milcows in sh1.:yep:

other question is where is the torpedo management screen ?? :doh:

[Safe-Keeper]

It's easy to change starting places in SHIII. You just change the location of the port itself.

[Snakeeyes]

It looks great but with me still waiting for games like Blackshark, Armed Assault and updates for Steel Beasts Pro I've learned NEVER to believe the dates that are quoted.

Honestly.... are they on schedule for a March 15th release? If they are pre-beta demo NOW they will have to work their butts off to get it released when they say so.

[Konovalov]

Excellent preview Neal. :rock:

[Captain America]

Excellent work Neal....thank you for that preview. I am really looking forward to SH4. :up:

The only thing negative imo is the fact that there will be less 3D interior space than SH3. My understanding is that the Captain's quarters and radio room will not be modeled. I am sure SH4 will make up for this loss in other areas but it really adds to the immersion factor and its absence will be missed.
One thing I loved about SH3 was hanging out in the various rooms/compartments....where will my Captain sleep now? I guess I'll have to find some space near the bilge pumps...

[Egan]

I have to admit, I'd kind of lost interest in subsims in a major way over the last year or so but this has whetted my appetite big time. It's looking very impressive and a definite improvement over SH3.

I'm still uncertain about the campaign though. Is it like the one in SH3 or is it more 'mission' based and less free roaming? Anyone got any links where I might find out more about it?

[CCIP]

I'm still uncertain about the campaign though. Is it like the one in SH3 or is it more 'mission' based and less free roaming? Anyone got any links where I might find out more about it?
Egan :rock:

It's like SHIIIs, with the obvious improvements. I think missions are just assigned on a random basis as you go; certainly noone would even so much as try to take away SHIIIs campaign. Right in the first interview with the SHIV devs, they emphasized how right the community was when they lobbied for a 'dynamic' campaign in SHIII and how they would never step back from that.

[edit]

Here's a source for you, from the first dev interview...
http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh4/sh4_interview1.php

Subsim: At some point was it imperative to the dev team to modify SH3 to include a world-wide dynamic campaign, and even more importantly, for Florin and the dev team to sell this idea to Ubisoft management and marketing. How does Ubisoft’s management view the decision now, considering the dynamic campaign was embraced by the subsim community?

SH4 Dev Team: To delay a project for 6 months to build in a dynamic campaign was a risky move but after serious consideration both the team and management accepted it was needed in order for SH3 to become the benchmark submarine simulation. Of course, no one is pleased when a delay of six months is involved, but in the end the results were worth it.

[Sailor Steve]

SHI had free roaming (within the patrol zone, as they had "jump to"--not action but patrol zone); and every so often you would get a radio message to go to X harbor and take photographs, or to Y city in advance of a bombing raid for potential lifeguard (pilot rescue) missions.

SH4 looks like it will have a similar system, but with lots more.:sunny:

[Egan]

CCIP & Steve: good to see you guys again! Hope you are both doing good.

Well, SH3 campaign plus special assignments sounds just about perfect. I read about the missions but didn't quite understand how they fit in. Looking forward to some stealthy insertions ( Although hopefully it won't be quite as rude as it sounds there....:lol: )

CCIP - You tried Red Viper yet? ;) That 3d pit with 6DOF......wow!

Anyway, can't wait for SH4. I'm dusting off my ciopy of Spike Jone's 'You're a sap mister Jap,' already..:up:

[immortal44]

The old officer avatars at the bottom of the screen are gone, now the player interacts with the crew directly in the 3D conning tower, control room, and bridge, or with keyboard shortcuts.

This is what I'm most looking forward to I think. I hope the nav map isn't a screen and is positioned in the control room, that would add a ton of immersion since I spent much of my time there. Be nice to be able to walk over and plot a course :-?

[Safe-Keeper]

I hope the nav map isn't a screenIt is. We saw that in a trailer.

[EM2(SS)]

[quote=Sailor Steve]I just took a closer look at the Crew Management Screen

http://www.subsim.com/sh4/images/c_screen_sh4_1.jpg

Oustanding! Captain no longer needs to personnally wake up the crew to relieve the watch.

A few issues I'd like to comment on. I believe a past post brought this up, where are the "Dolphins"? Not having them would be a big dissapointment. They are what seperated sub sailors from the rest of the Navy and was a high point in a sailors carreer when they recieved them. I also believe to be OOD (Officer of the Deck) one needed to have gold dolphins. If they are included a nice touch would be improved damage control skills for a dolphin wearing crew member. This would show the crew member has intimate knowledge of his boat.

I like the fact that there are more petty officers than seamen. This is correct in modern US subs and was correct in WW2 boats. Though the issue I have is that the enlisted men's rates are like SH3 and too generic. It seems that SH4 only has engine room personnel, torpedomen, radio, helmsmen and gunners. What I would like to see would be Machinist Mates, Electrician Mates and Enginemen in the engineering spaces. Radiomen and Sonar men should be seperate rates as well. Would also be nice to see the cooks and stewards. They would not be in the watchbill but could be used for battlestions. I think there also was a rating for radar operators (RT?) but they came maybe in 43 or 44. I think (know) that I am forgetting some ratings.

While the above issues won't stop me from buying the game, I think that they definitley add to the immersion and realism of the game.

[immortal44]

Again, good point. On the other hand, Fleet boats had two engine rooms, with two diesels each; so there should be two engine rooms. And where is the motor room?

We shouldn't be thinking of these as the 'rooms' just where the crew is assigned. They should really just read 'engine crew' 'control crew' etc or whatever term is correct.

8 officers!!!! There are a ton of NCOs and higher ranked seamen too? What kind of ratios were there in R/L? Looks very different from a uboat setup?

As for the colours, that is rank. Blue are officers, green for NCOs, yellow appear to be 'qualified' seamen, then red for 'unqualified' seamen.

Like the fact that each sailor has different levels of skill for different tasks.

[Snowman999]

A few issues I'd like to comment on. I believe a past post brought this up, where are the "Dolphins"? Not having them would be a big dissapointment. They are what seperated sub sailors from the rest of the Navy

Aviators had wings of various sorts (fixed-wing and blimp), but skimmers didn't have a warfare device until the 1970s.

All officer dolphins are gold; enlisted are silver. In WWII there were only line dolphins for officers (enlisted model in gold.) Nowadays there are several different types of officer dolphins including Supply Officer and EDO. The quals are different. It's true an OOD would have been a qualified officer in practice, but it wasn't legally necessary. Only that he be a line officer.

I think (know) that I am forgetting some ratings.

Couple of others: quartermaster, yeoman, pharmacist's mate.

[Boris]

According to the preview the second part is coming today!!! :up:

[CCIP]

According to the preview the second part is coming today!!! :up:
I was about to say :yep:

Bump!

[Safe-Keeper]

MP Adversarial mode
I thought they were going to throw me out on the street when I asked to see the multiplayer section of the game. I didn't really ask, of course. In true Subsim fashion, I simply ended the mission I was playing and went to the game menu and hit Multiplayer. and then....
Coming Feb 14
Yesh... someone needs to hurry it up;).

Kiddin', matey, take your time:p.

[badaboom]

Hello All!,I'm new to the sim/forums and im looking forward to the latest news from sub-sim .I keep going to this link http://www.subsim.com/sh4/demo_mp_sh4.php:damn:

[Onkel Neal]

Sorry, that is going to be a little delayed. I've got my hands full right now. I probably need to hire some more help.

[Boris]

aw dammit :cry:

[CCIP]

Sorry, that is going to be a little delayed. I've got my hands full right now. I probably need to hire some more help.

I would mow your lawn, write your previews, pave your driveway and clean your sub's bilges if I could have my hands on SHIV even a day early :88)

[Kresge]

:o More waiting! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

ok, must calm self down.......

gotta think.....

yeah, that's it, just double click the SH3 commander icon......


:D

[OlegM]

Come on Neal, write a word or two - this adversarial multiplayer feature is the only thing that keeps me interested in this game...... :ping:

[WilhelmSchulz.]

With that pic with the men on the floor I belive that they god knocked off ther feet by a Depthcharge attack. :up:

[geetrue]

With that pic with the men on the floor I belive that they god knocked off ther feet by a Depthcharge attack. :up:

Could be chorline gas from the batteries or maybe they were over fed from a thanksgiving meal at sea ... :yep:

[Onkel Neal]

Come on Neal, write a word or two - this adversarial multiplayer feature is the only thing that keeps me interested in this game...... :ping:

Ok, will try to finish my little piece Friday night.

NS

[flintlock]

Carefully selected wording there, you politician you.

In all seriousness, I know these things take time and there is stuff to take care of in RL. That said, take your time - we'll be watching for it.

[Subnuts]

With that pic with the men on the floor I belive that they god knocked off ther feet by a Depthcharge attack. :up:
Could be chorline gas from the batteries or maybe they were over fed from a thanksgiving meal at sea ... :yep:

Maybe it was thanksgiving with the Kranzes. Those guys really make you work for your dinner! :rotfl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOyQ3nTDgCs

[OlegM]

Ok, will try to finish my little piece Friday night.

NS

You make it look like a chore :dead: I hoped you like MP component and will write with more enthusiasm?

(Not that I want to force anything - give us the truth however brutal man :arrgh!: )

[Safe-Keeper]

Now, now, first there's the initial 1-page draft, then it goes through the system for approval and suggestions, then it's returned and lengthened to 2 pages and goes through the system again, and so on. It also needs publisher approval and copyright registration.

I'm currently proof-reading draft #9. It's one great piece of work, except the ARI is a bit low. I'd like it about 3 full points higher, which means Neal will have to cut down on the word:sentence ratio. I note with approval the whitespace ratio is a nice 20% and that the Simple Measure Of Gobbledygook rating is dead on, though.

Only twenty-nine drafts to go. It'll be out by summer, at which point you'll be able to hunt it down by searching for ISBN number 0-306-40615-2:up:.

[Elder-Pirate]

IN SH IV I would like to see something like her for the swabbies. :yep:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/oleman/Navywave.jpg

Even if she's just seen on the dock like SH III. How about it DEVs ?

[Iron Budokan]

I agree...she's one hot Wave! :up:

[Guido]

I think she looks a honey, but her boyfriend looks kinda large!
still that picture on the wall in the radio room would be ideal for those, more alone moments. lol

[flintlock]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/idachs/subsim/0002.jpg

Here she is again (I think it's the same gal).

[GSpector]

There's something about a lady in uniform :roll:

[sunvalleyslim]

Flintlock,
Me thinks they're two different Babes........Different colored eyes....What do you think?

[flintlock]

I think she's one in the same, just different lighting conditions. Looks like the same artist too, but hey, I'm just guessing.

[dean_acheson]

Sorry, that is going to be a little delayed. I've got my hands full right now. I probably need to hire some more help.



LOL, I bet!!!!:p

[Stryker412]

Any word on the MP preview?

[Onkel Neal]

I posted somewhere in this thread that I decided to postpone the MP preview and just cover MP in the review of the game. There were several reasons for this, including time constraints and the usual "I can't discuss it" thing. I will check my notes and audio from the demo tonight and reply with some highlights from that session.

[Stryker412]

OK thanks Neal. Even a short paragraph would be good. :)

[Kapitan_Phillips]

I still cant get over the utter disdain with which poor Neal exclaimed "You sent me to sea with training warheads?!" :rotfl:

[Barkhorn1x]

I still cant get over the utter disdain with which poor Neal exclaimed "You sent me to sea with training warheads?!" :rotfl:

Yea, and it is crazy to think that in late '41 to mid '43 the real warheads were little better! :o

[Buggins]

I still cant get over the utter disdain with which poor Neal exclaimed "You sent me to sea with training warheads?!" :rotfl:

Yea, and it is crazy to think that in late '41 to mid '43 the real warheads were little better! :oHah, I'm hoping that's one setting I'll be able to leave at only 'mildly realistic', even if I can account for the duff magnetic depth doohickies with my own knowledge of the problems they faced historically.

I am hoping that torp will occasionally go haywire and loop back on themselves,just to make things exciting.

[Onkel Neal]

SH4 MP preview posted here. (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=106989)

.

[Killjoy]

sweet.. so we have wolfpacks :)


edit: lolz I guess I should have posted more when SHIII came out, I am still a nub

[Stryker412]

SH4 MP preview posted here. (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=106989)

.

Thank you Neal it's much appreciated!

[dannygjk]

HI

ummm, I will wait till SHIVCE judging by the pics I have seen here. Riddled with bugs, ewww

dannygjk

[Fincuan]

HI

ummm, I will wait till SHIVCE judging by the pics I have seen here. Riddled with bugs, ewww

dannygjk

:hmm:

The original preview was published well over a year ago. Don't you think the game might have matured a little during that time?

[Ducimus]

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g109/lecokev/ThreadNecro.gif

[Quillan]

Ducimus, I am soooooo going to steal that picture. :rotfl:

[Syxx_Killer]

ROFLMAO @ Ducimus!!!!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I've got to steal that pic, too!

[Ducimus]

Amazing what you'll find with google image search. Keywords was "thread necro". Just be careful what you type if wife/kids are around or at work. Keyword "necro" by itself will have a nasty result.