The GWX 1.04 Teaser Thread...

[Mowinz]

I was wondering....

What's going to be the biggest SH3 improvement when 1.04 is released?

Will Bernard finally get a promotion?

My boat is in for repairs and the crew will need to be briefed so I REALLY NEED TO KNOW. :up: :up:

Cheers

[GoldenRivet]

I seriously doubt that the latest GWX addition will be a huge re-work... i could be wrong, but i doubt it. it will be a good one... but probably not HUGE

You are likely to see a hand full of added units. new ships, new planes, new warships new subs. (We already know about some of the added sub models and the floating fortresses at sea.)

Perhaps some changes to the campaign as far as spawn points, how frequently what types of units spawn and where they spawn etc.

obviously - corrections to the previous version - which there are not many needed corrections IMHO.

in short there will be some new content - things you havnt seen in GWX/SH3 before that will be really cool to run into out there - or un-cool depending on which end of the shooting your on!

BEST CASE SCENARIO for the upcoming release would be someone figured out how to work out AI torpedoes to be fired from submerged enemy and friendly AI subs... and maybe other units like planes and PT Boats - as well as a few of the other really sought after requests.

WORST CASE SCENARIO for the upcoming release would be we still get awesome content irregardless of what the GWX team added.

so - its a win/win situation for everyone.

here is what we know:

GWX has showcased some of their content and they are not too likely to showcase their best stuff.

this will also be the final GWX release short of patches required to fix major problems - the GWX team will want to go out with a bang, and they have set their own bar pretty high already with the previous versions... so they are probably trying hard not to dissapoint any of their followers

be patient... im confident you will not be dissapointed :yep:

[Jmack]

Oh Ye Of Little Faith !!! It will be great :up:


:gulp::gulp::gulp::gulp:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

All I can say right now is rather cryptic and general in nature... but here goes.

Things are going quite well. We've discovered some problems only recently, that exist in stock SH3 and remain to be corrected in other mods... We could ignore these sort of problems and maintain the status quo... or we can fix 'em.

Well... we don't like going around problems. We like to smash them. However, doing that takes time... sometimes more than expected because you run into subsequent NEW problems as a result of fixing things... and the cascade effect means more bugbears must be destroyed... and more time is needed.

Today... indeed the last several weeks... the pace of progress is a bit like a storm that builds in intensity. It seems that things are getting better by the hour... and the more progress we make... the harder we work.

Today was a very good day.

We've still got challenges ahead, but it is only a matter of time. How much time is very difficult to gauge... so we are not a point where we can discuss a release date.

The "teaser" threads are not meant to tease... they are meant to inform. Posting the developmental updates is in actuality a bit of a pain because we have to stop to compose them. We will also not post anything on developmental update threads that we are not certain will make it into the release. Our final developmental (whenever we get to it) update will be a doozie.

As posted above too... it is our last engagement concerning "official" developmental inclusions. We don't want to let it fly until it is as reliable as we can make it. Testing is more serious than it has ever been.

There are indeed major changes... which aren't going to always be visible... and major changes that will be obviously visible.

All will be explained in due course.

1.04 is gonna rock. (Heck, its already awesome... and we aren't yet finished!)

[Drakken]

Can't wait for patch 1.04 to come out, but do take your time to iron it out. :)

I was wondering also, since now GWX will track convoys and lone merchants from their leaving port to their destination, if some level randomization in sea lanes and trade routes in the Atlantic could be implemented and/or updated from time to time, so that we may have some surprise from campaign to campaign. :hmm:

[ReM]

Sounds great Kpt Lehmann, albeit cryptic indeed;)

[Hitman]

Well... we don't like going around problems. We like to smash them.

That's the spirit :rock:

[ichso]

That solving problems reveals new ones is a natural thing.
So one has to set some constraints how far he wants to go and where better to stop.
In the worst case this border will be at the point where everybody has to realize that it can't be done without an SDK and the SH3 source code :)

I think we'll see when 1.04 finally comes out ;).

[Captain Nemo]

There are indeed major changes... which aren't going to always be visible... and major changes that will be obviously visible.

If 1.04 will contain some major changes I wonder whether current careers will become unstable or whether we can carry on as long as we updated to 1.04 in port. The reason I ask is because I have just started a new career and have sunk 106k+ of Allied shipping in my first patrol. It would be a shame to abandon this career, but I suppose the temptation would be too much when 1.04 comes out.

Nemo

[ichso]

There are indeed major changes... which aren't going to always be visible... and major changes that will be obviously visible.
If 1.04 will contain some major changes I wonder whether current careers will become unstable or whether we can carry on as long as we updated to 1.04 in port. The reason I ask is because I have just started a new career and have sunk 106k+ of Allied shipping in my first patrol. It would be a shame to abandon this career, but I suppose the temptation would be too much when 1.04 comes out.

Nemo

I had a career going on at SH3 1.4b without any supermod.
It was no problem switching to GWX 1.03 and continuing my current career so I don't think that this will become a problem.

[Konovalov]

It all sounds good to me. :yep: Patience is the key. All good things come to those who wait. :up:

[Brag]

To release 1.04, the GWXers are waiting for the shipment of gold promised by Mr. Churchill. :cool:

[IrischKapitan]

Can't wait for patch 1.04 to come out, but do take your time to iron it out. :)

I was wondering also, since now GWX will track convoys and lone merchants from their leaving port to their destination, if some level randomization in sea lanes and trade routes in the Atlantic could be implemented and/or updated from time to time, so that we may have some surprise from campaign to campaign. :hmm:

Well I can tell you, I think GWX 1.03 tracks them for a couple of hundred of kilometres once you spot them, but to track every movement of a boat or a convoy would be to much strain on your computer and it would not run as smooth.... :yep:

[IrischKapitan]

To release 1.04, the GWXers are waiting for the shipment of gold promised by Mr. Churchill. :cool:

Sssh, intelligence reports its in a american whaler from cape town (for those who hav'nt read 'chirchill's gold' you should !!!)

[Dimitrius07]

Kpt. Lehmann

One last question. When you (GWX dev team) are finally going to rest ? :dead: :D ;)

[SmokinTep]

The GWX team does an awesome job. I'm sure 1.04 will be great.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Concerning convoys engaging in random waypoint changes along the general routes... they already do that in GWX.

For those that are brave enough to turn off their map contacts... convoy interception is a difficult matter.

Concerning "rest"... we will do that when we overtake our objectives.

We will all get there in the end.

[melnibonian]

I had a career going on at SH3 1.4b without any supermod.
It was no problem switching to GWX 1.03 and continuing my current career so I don't think that this will become a problem.
As a rule of thumb if you have a saved game in a flotilla/harbour that is supported by GWX there will be no problem with your career. Due to the fact that GWX improves almost all flotilla and harbour files usually you encounter problems.

[melnibonian]

Concerning "rest"... we will do that when we overtake our objectives.

We will all get there in the end.
I assume you're refering to the total destruction of the British Fleet ;) :arrgh!: :arrgh!:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Concerning "rest"... we will do that when we overtake our objectives.

We will all get there in the end.
I assume you're refering to the total destruction of the British Fleet ;) :arrgh!: :arrgh!:

Actually no... I was referring to 1945. :huh: :rotfl: Don't we all surrender then?

[melnibonian]

Concerning "rest"... we will do that when we overtake our objectives.

We will all get there in the end.
I assume you're refering to the total destruction of the British Fleet ;) :arrgh!: :arrgh!:

Actually no... I was referring to 1945. :huh: :rotfl: Don't we all surrender then?
:doh: Well I guess you're right. On the other hand no matter how many times we surrender we always start a new career and we keep sinking them again and again ;) :arrgh!: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[rik007]

Very teasing indeed! Kpt. Lehmann, I wonder who you work together. E-mail is logically but do you meet to discuss issues? Can you tell us a bit who the GWX-team is working together. This is fascinating to me. :yep:

[bigboywooly]

E mail is one way
We meet up on the GWX teamspeak channel and in our own forum
Teamspeak is the quickest way to get around problems and much easier than all that typing
As we are all over the world tis the only way
Does mean late nights when talking to someone in the US from the UK but meh
Worth it in the end

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Very teasing indeed! Kpt. Lehmann, I wonder who you work together. E-mail is logically but do you meet to discuss issues? Can you tell us a bit who the GWX-team is working together. This is fascinating to me. :yep:

Well, we have our own forums and use teamspeak often. (The latter saves a great deal of typing. Though we do use email very frequently too.) It is very difficult to keep everything organized, but we manage well enough.

I believe some of the team have met... but I've never had the pleasure.:cry: Maybe someday. There's a few hands that I'd really like to shake... and many thanks that I'd like to relate in person.

[ichso]

So what makes me wonder is:
Do you even get some time to play the game without having to have some testing and modding stuff in mind ?
Just play for the fun of it ?

I mean, if one looks into some scripting files, reading stuff in the mods forum, it really shows what a modding potential SH3 gives. And I believe that it can be much fun to create something out of it too.

But I see SH3 not only as a playground for modding, I also want to PLAY it.

So does the GWX team only mod the game and let the other kiddies have their fun with it ?

[bigboywooly]

To a certain extent yes
I have had 2 patrols proper since GWX 1.0 was released

Most times I start the game are to test something
Another reason I cant wait to finish modding is to actually PLAY
:rotfl:

[Canovaro]

Concerning "rest"... we will do that when we overtake our objectives.

We will all get there in the end. I assume you're refering to the total destruction of the British Fleet ;) :arrgh!: :arrgh!:
Actually no... I was referring to 1945. :huh: :rotfl: Don't we all surrender then?

BE MORE AGRESSIVE! :rotfl:

[Mowinz]

Well... we don't like going around problems. We like to smash them. However, doing that takes time... sometimes more than expected because you run into subsequent NEW problems as a result of fixing things... and the cascade effect means more bugbears must be destroyed... and more time is needed.

We've still got challenges ahead, but it is only a matter of time. How much time is very difficult to gauge... so we are not a point where we can discuss a release date.

1.04 is gonna rock. (Heck, its already awesome... and we aren't yet finished!)

Whoaa!! Sounds encouraging Kpt. Lehmann! Thanks! And thanks again!

I'm thinking how sweet this game will look and run in a few years when quad cores and better, 1024 graphic cards, and really big screens become the norm. :)

SH3 wouldn't even have a future if it wasn't for you and the GWX team!!!

Thanks again :up:

Cheers

[ichso]

Well... we don't like going around problems. We like to smash them. However, doing that takes time... sometimes more than expected because you run into subsequent NEW problems as a result of fixing things... and the cascade effect means more bugbears must be destroyed... and more time is needed.

We've still got challenges ahead, but it is only a matter of time. How much time is very difficult to gauge... so we are not a point where we can discuss a release date.

1.04 is gonna rock. (Heck, its already awesome... and we aren't yet finished!)
Whoaa!! Sounds encouraging Kpt. Lehmann! Thanks! And thanks again!

I'm thinking how sweet this game will look and run in a few years when quad cores and better, 1024 graphic cards, and really big screens become the norm. :)

SH3 wouldn't even have a future if it wasn't for you and the GWX team!!!

Thanks again :up:

Cheers
I don't think that SH3 will look very good in a few years compared to the games which will be actual then. It will still look relatively good perhaps but also outdated.

More highly detailed polygon models and newer graphic effects will be there which aren't implemented in SH3 and aren't to be recreated by modding.

Things you can do are ramp up the screen resolution and max out your graphic driver's settings in terms of anti aliasing and ansitropic filtering for example. But even that wouldn't produce any stunning graphics with SH3 in a few years anymore.

For that you need an up to date graphics enginge to take all the nice things into account which will develop in the next few years ;).

[Mowinz]

I don't think that SH3 will look very good in a few years compared to the games which will be actual then. I twill still look relatively good perhaps but still outdated.

More highly detailed polygon models and newer graphic effects will be there which aren't implemented in SH3 and aren't to be recreated by modding.

Things you can do are ramp up the screen resolution and max out your graphic driver's settings in terms of anti aliasingand ansitropic filtering for example. But even that wouldn't produce any stunning graphics withh SH3 in a few years anymore.

For that you need an up to date graphics enginge to take all the nice things into account which will develop in the next few years ;).

You're right..but I don't have $6,000 right now to blow on this machine to play SH3. Darn!! :0

http://www.gamepc.com/shop/systemfamily.asp?family=titansli

I could be wrong but SH4 is not a DirectX 10 game either. How many more sub games do you anticipate in the next 2-3 years? I don't anticipate any.

It may be five years or longer before another sub game comes along using the next graphics engine.

Cheers

[The Munster]

Concerning "rest"... we will do that when we overtake our objectives.

We will all get there in the end.
I assume you're refering to the total destruction of the British Fleet ;) :arrgh!: :arrgh!:

Actually no... I was referring to 1945. :huh: :rotfl: Don't we all surrender then?

Dunno, never reached 1945 then surrended :rotfl:

[ichso]

I don't think that SH3 will look very good in a few years compared to the games which will be actual then. I twill still look relatively good perhaps but still outdated.

More highly detailed polygon models and newer graphic effects will be there which aren't implemented in SH3 and aren't to be recreated by modding.

Things you can do are ramp up the screen resolution and max out your graphic driver's settings in terms of anti aliasingand ansitropic filtering for example. But even that wouldn't produce any stunning graphics withh SH3 in a few years anymore.

For that you need an up to date graphics enginge to take all the nice things into account which will develop in the next few years ;).
You're right..but I don't have $6,000 right now to blow on this machine to play SH3. Darn!! :0

http://www.gamepc.com/shop/systemfamily.asp?family=titansli

I could be wrong but SH4 is not a DirectX 10 game either. How many more sub games do you anticipate in the next 2-3 years? I don't anticipate any.

It may be five years or longer before another sub game comes along using the next graphics engine.

Cheers

Those prizes on the above link are so high because it's a bunch of high end stuff you see there which will decrease in costs relatively quick. As always.
For example if you compare the actual prizes for prozessors, the most actual variants can be 800€ (and perhaps $) and the next smaller variants can be significantly cheaper. So I never understand why one should be the real high end stuff instead of waiting a few month.

But to get the most out of SH3's graphics you surely don't need one of those high end machines which cost you several 1000 bucks.
I'm running it smoothly (~50fps) on a AMD Athlon XP 2000+ with 1GB RAM and an ATI Radeon 9800. So this system is quite outdated too compared to the common ~900bucks complete-PC's you can buy everywhere.

And what I meant about the SH3 graphic was that it will be outdated compared to computer games in general not only in the subsim or simulation genre.
And this won't be changed by modding.

Greetings, i.

[Steel_Tomb]

Personally, although the fancy graphics of SHIV are quite appealing, in particular the volumetric fog which is amazing, it doesn't add much to the game. If your like me, I play on 84% realism (only external camera and WO assistance off) you spend much of your time looking at the map, or in the command room etc not the external cam which I'm trying to use less to make the game more immersive. The features of GWX and the extra immersion and sheer fun is much more important than an updated graphics engine to me.