Silent Hunter V Dev Team Interview: Deeper, Kapitän, deeper. (1/19/10) [Archive] - Page 2

Archive1

01-21-10, 01:33 AM

Appreciate the interview, Neal, and the bit of candor that the dev team has given.

Have been involved in the "Letters from Home" project and the limited career will at least reduce the significant effort needed to write letters every month for every career to the end. We'll see if we can resurrect that add-on.

Maybe an awkward question, but how much of Tomi's work will be incorporated into SH5? Does anyone know...or is it something that should/will/must be held close for legal reasons?

JScones: Finally, it is good to know that one can close the game while submerged or close to a convoy in mid patrol while using Commander. We have been warned several times not to do so and that makes it awkward to go forward if 'under' or attacking a convoy if there is not enough time (real time) to go to the absolute end, expecting a DD attack for several virtual hours.

Look forward to SH5 and almost certainly forthcoming brilliant mods. In any case, am grateful to Ubi for any development they do, without them what would we have, eh?

Easty

01-21-10, 02:39 AM

Bit disapointed with just the one uboat type and the 1943 end, not sure if I will buy it or not, have to wait and see if the modders can do something with it.

Gotmilk

01-21-10, 02:48 AM

have to wait and see if the modders can do something with it.

no they cant.

MENTAT

01-21-10, 04:36 AM

Well,

the goods: :yeah:
+ That is an Atlantic battle oriented release,
+ You have to care more for your crew, more FRP elements,
+ There will be no anti-alliancing issues like SH4 this time
+ They promise a more "living" world around us with AI subs and Bdu
+ Better Damage control with animations

The bads: :down:
- Everything comes to an end in 1943
- Only one type (VII) of sub is available
- You have to personnaly travel in the sub to use/command features (no more shortcuts)
- No direct wolfpack coordination

I wonder: :hmmm:
* If they will overload and bogg down my GPU with hefty graphics
* If they will f** my pc with a damn security prg.
* If ridiculously shooting aircraft down like flies is corrected with this version
* If they made use of wonderful add-ons and mods community developed for SH3
* If i will be able to control more in base options (upgrades, crew mwmbers, resting time.. etc)
* I hope this will be nothing like SH4 but more like SH3.

rascal101

01-21-10, 04:46 AM

Now that's spooky Mr Sailor Streve cos thats my all time Favourite SF book too, and nobodies ever heard of it

My all-time favorite is from Time Enough For Love: "The optimist believes we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist is afraid he might be right."

@ jclasper: WELCOME ABOARD!:sunny:

Rip

01-21-10, 05:12 AM

That exact complaint (at least the "muscular" part) was made about SH3 as well. It will be interesting to see how the various crew members look as we actually play. I'm also curious to see how many actual different body types and faces will be in the game.

Well I hope we can import some faces somehow. I will make a crew of Sailor Steves :D

Rip

01-21-10, 05:13 AM

Yes! A preview copy for Neal. Who lives within driving distance of me. Yep, I'd sure like a preview copy for me.....err...I mean Neal ! :-j

Indeed. I might make a drive over to see that myself. :woot:

elanaiba

01-21-10, 05:14 AM

Neal, Dan also said back in 2005 that the SH3 campaign was dynamic. Heck, my DVD case says it is too. But look at Dan's post #147 where he now states that it actually wasn't dynamic all along but really just random (of course, we certainly found that out quick enough anyway)? :hmmm:

So pls excuse me for remaining sceptical about similar claims for SH5...fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...

I get what you're saying, but for the sake of historical accuracy I'd say you won't find many - if any - interviews with me in 2005. On Sh3.

Rip

01-21-10, 05:18 AM

After giving it some thought, I can definitely understand the decision to only include the Type VII. Having to model an entire interior and associated crew would, I imagine, be a pretty time consuming process. Having to do all that work for multiple sub types would, I assume, not fit into their timeline.

On some level I can understand the 1943 decision as well. Think about when the "rules of the game" changed, so to speak - right around 1943. Allied radar became a concern, hedgehogs, schnorkels, BOLD decoys, FaT and LuT torpedoes, etc. A lot of new technology was introduced in the latter part of the war. To accurately model all of that and its interaction and effect on the sub and your mission would be complex. I am assuming again, it would not fit into their timeline.

The sub and technology you start out with in 1939, for the most part, is basically not much different than what you've got in 1943. The major upgrades over that time span that I can think of off the top of my head would be improved AA armament, maybe one or two turm upgrades, very early versions of the FuMO and Metox, and not much else. Those things are probably not that hard to model in, leaving the developers time to focus on the boat and the first years of the war.

So I keep seeing it mentioned, but I guess it really is a question of quality over quantity. I'd rather have the first 2/3rds of the war done well, instead of the entire war done so-so.

As an aside, and since I mentioned it, I always was kind of irked at the reliability of the Metox in SH3. From what I've read, it was nowhere near as reliable as it is modelled...especially when the Allies introduced the Mk III radar which the Metox could not detect.

Yes, I love how in Iron Coffins one day they are picking up aircraft on it and diving to avoid routinely. Then all the sudden not getting detection on it. But the planes are showing up out of nowhere. It must have been a WTF time for them. :|\\

Hartmann

01-21-10, 08:41 AM

One of the forgotten motives of the big losses past 1943 was the enigma code, allies can pinpoint positions in the sea and send planes, hunterkiller groups , and modify the convoy routes with the decoded info.

with a code change and the early use of snorquel and XXI boats it could be very different

Jib01

01-21-10, 11:09 AM

Having more activity and action in the spaces could really spice up the game. More interation with shipmates (and I assume all rates will be selectable for particular action) would be quite interesting. More reality like Das Boot from stem to stearn. Should prove highly interesting and add a lot to the game.

Just my thoughts.
Jib01
:up::up::up:

CNA0

01-21-10, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the interview. It provides us a good idea about the game limits.
For me, if the game is just for the WWII UBoot campaign, is a nonsense to try to go farther than 1943 (unless you think that a U-Kaleun could prevent Allied Forces achievements as total atlantic air cover, sonar and radar improvements, and so on).
Also, if the devs understand that their main effort has to be centered in the inside compartments and crew performance developments, I also respect their decision of starting only with VII-type.
For me is a pretty good idea to perform the training phase as XO.
I keep wondering a lot of other things, (e.g):
-How devs perform interaction bwn Kaleun and crew? Could Kn take a rest, or as in previous games (scorning any realistic situation) is he the only one allowed to order GQ or dive?
-Crew AI; are skills improvement linked with the time spent in the posts, or simply with the time underway? Has any influence on this improvement the fact that Kn (acting as a lookout, a radar or sonarman, a gunner, etc) takes the handle in these posts?
-Navigation: will it be possible to forget GPS position? Its pretty hard for me to believe that any Navy (Rumanian perhaps?), adopting the knot as speed unit, uses the Km to measure navigation distances. So that, if spherical mapping is impossible for SH5, I’d like to find al least that one minute is equal to one mile (and not to two km).
-Torpedo attack: will be the crew able to perform some useful work (ships identification, bearing and range tracing on maps, fire solution, etc), or the options are automatic solution or Kn’s sole activity?
-Gun attack: when shoting, can any officer (from UZO, scope, or nude eyesight) give an estimated range to the gunnner, or keep they behaving as this fight is not their bussines?
-Land details: could land show some milestones (as ligthhouses or towers), and could this milestones be marked and kept on the navigation maps?
As you can imagine after all this comments, and respecting any wish (included a virtual jamboree the eve before getting underway), my wishes are related with my submarine two main objectives: to reach on time the assigned point in the operations theatre, and to sink ennemy ships.

I hope that SH6 will return to the Pacific Theatre, in a spherical Earth, and with a sextant to shot stars and get a fix.

PS. I’m not a game developper, but I can remember that there was a straigthforward procedure to convert a cylindrical coordinates system to a polar coordinates system.

Webster

01-21-10, 11:59 AM

Bit disapointed with just the one uboat type and the 1943 end, not sure if I will buy it or not, have to wait and see if the modders can do something with it.

well lets not forget its the entire "class" of type VII u-boats and not just one boat. there are several versions of that type VII class so when compared to the US fleetboats of sh4 which also didnt have many major changes between them untill the gato/balao then i would say you still have several subs to choose from within that one class of sub.

the simular versions of the fleetboats and the numerous type VII uboats of sh5 are IMO very much in line with each other and while having different class u-boats would have been nice too, i dont think anyone will feel like they dont have a choice of boat to use with that boats own differences

Rockin Robbins

01-21-10, 12:09 PM

My take on the interview is that they're still observing radio silence and will confine themselves to teasing us. I'm still letting others take the arrows and I'll pick the battlefield for a cast-off game from one of the fallen. Nothing in the interview reassures me at all that Ubi is learning anything about the nature of a good simulation. Hope I turn out to be wrong!

Deep Dive

01-21-10, 12:43 PM

Thanks Neal,Dan and Alex for the interview :salute:

My thoughts about SH5

1 Dynamic campaign - deal breaker
At first i worried but after Neal's and Dan's explanations i believe it will be better than SH3 :yeah:

2 AI behavior/sensors - deal breaker
I have to wait until Neal or me tests it (whoever gets his copy first- probably Neal :03:)

3 Targetting - deal breaker
Same as above

4 Surface night attacks in early years - close to deal breaker
Same as above

5 Wolfpacks (oops!) - highly desirable
I hope it is better than Stuka attacks . The info so far indicates it is not what most of us had hoped :o

6 Periscope
I really prefer any of the previous SH series than what i 've seen in videos/screenshots of SH5 :down:
Not a big concern though as i think it will be one of the first things modded

7 Full campaign 39-45 - desirable
I can understand why they chose the 43 ending though i 'm not celebrating about it :shifty:

8 All major U-boat types - desirable
I accept the reasoning of having one type of u-boat if the type VII is well modeled

9 Graphics
I am more than satisfied with what i've seen so far :yeah:

10 Sound
again i wait Neal's review

WILL I BUY IT?

OF COURSE I WILL

i want to support the sub sim genre and Ubi but if the overall quality is not to my liking i will only buy one copy
(I have bought 4 copies of SH3 as gifts to friends in the past)

TH0R

01-21-10, 12:50 PM

Very nice interview. Thanks. :)

I for one am very happy with this info. We never got a proper Type VII in SH3. Hell we won't play beyond '43 and will have only one type of a U-BOOT. But in return, a semi functioning wolfpack and more detailed scenario and campaign. Works with me and I will definitely buy the game, just as I did SH3.

Not to mention the modeled interior and AI raiders. Much more 'alive' environment, something that always put me away from last 3 SH titles...

onelifecrisis

01-21-10, 01:06 PM

Good post :up:
I'm also looking forward to the months following March where your talent as well as others may be put to use. Although, you may be thinking, "not again.." :arrgh!:

Haha :)
I'm hoping the game will be just fine right out of the box and will not IMO need any modding! That'd be my ideal scenario. :ping:

onelifecrisis

01-21-10, 01:10 PM

I still want to know if we'll be able to confidently save games mid-patrol. Now THAT would be a HUGE leap forward in the SH series. :yeah:

At this stage I suspect the SH5 developers are also wondering whether we'll be able to confidently save, come March... ;)

mr chris

01-21-10, 01:18 PM

Game only spans until 1943!!
Thats poor i mean i understand what Dan and Alex were saying about why the later years are left for a possible DLC or Add-on.

But why should we have to pay twice to play the whole length of the war.

Also did i read it right that the only type of U-Boat that we will get to play with in game is a Type VII ?
What about Mediterranean operations?
Will Black sea and Indian ocean operations be included in any Add-on of the latter years of the war?

Rubini

01-21-10, 01:22 PM

Since I have read the interview I have had a desire to put my opinion on the matter...but a huge lack of free time plague me these last days...so:

I guess that we can live with limited time of war...
I guess that we can live with only one type of uboat...
I guess we can live with new way to play a uboat subsim in the end...

BUT...

If the idea is really to give us a so narrow scope as we read on the interview please Devs make a huge effort to give us, the community that will by and play the game, the community that will make this game a success or not, at least:

a really good simulation of all uboats stations and mechanics (compressed air issues as a small example)
a really good Wolfpack action and interaction,
a really good Ai for our allied opponents,
a really good sail behaviour and wheather simulation,
a really good dynamic way to be contacted/redirected by Bdu,
a really good air units Ai and behaviour,
a really good eyecandy with dinamic shadows,
a really good milkcows interactions,
a really good modable game,

The above is what will make a subsim game a really great game at first.

Without the above things Sh5 will be only eyecandy with, perhaps, a good way to play but not what it could be, not what we want from a really new subsim/uboat game, IMHO.

PS: obviously a really good crew interaction will be good too as you design it, this is true, but not the more important. The more dynamic campaign is also very good addition if well designed.:up:

Kristian2

01-21-10, 01:54 PM

HEXIMAAL

01-21-10, 02:54 PM

Will there be messages you have to decode by means of an enigma codemachine ????

PL_Andrev

01-21-10, 03:19 PM

1) What about milk cows?

2) What about recognition book?

3) What about dynamic shadows missing in last screenshots / films?

4) What about mine fields?

5) What about snorkel which was shown on first screenshots?

6) What about demo?

7) What about attack procedure (taking ship's parameters manually - no notepad like in SH3/SH4 on screenshots)

8) What about snow / snowstorm?

9) What about enemy submarines?

10) What about precision of "nearest target" command?

11) What about night surface attack?

12) What about game requirements?

13) What about level difficulty?

:down:

johan_d

01-21-10, 03:32 PM

14) what about BDU ?

spyridon

01-21-10, 04:59 PM

Thanks a lot for the review, we got usefull information,
but what about the mechanics of the game?
For me thats all about the game, if its still going to have SH3's and SH4's targeting bugs, unsinkable ships, wrong ships' data in captain's log and etc then I wont be happy at all.
On the contrary, if it will have no serious game bugs then I will be gratefull and I ll buy it, whatever the graphics will be I wont care me as much as if older games' bugs are going to be fixed.
I wonder if there is any interview of them yet, about their progress on bugs?

Webster

01-21-10, 05:04 PM

Thanks a lot for the review, we got usefull information,
but what about the mechanics of the game?

I wonder if there is any interview of them yet, about their progress on bugs?

well i dont think they will admit to having bugs but we all know every game does, and they certainly wont admit they havent fixed them untill we find that out by buying the game, itsjust good buisness to hide bad news as long as you can.

that said i think its wrong to expect the same problems we had with sh3 and sh4 when its "supposed" to be an all knew design so while i dont expect the same bugs im also expecting to have as many bugs, just maybe not with the same things

Safe-Keeper

01-21-10, 05:36 PM

Well, unlike the choir of naysayers here, I'm definitely going to buy SH5 after reading this. Modders will love it! Far deeper than SHIII! It even has those wolfpacks you've been screaming in unison for since time immemorial!

Come on, people, seriously, stop griping already.

Glock17

01-21-10, 05:59 PM

After a initial feeling of disapointment, i must say that im keen to see the new style of gameplay in action.
After all if SH5 was going to be the same in gameplay like SH3 and SH4, it would feel just like that. A pimped SH4 in the atlantic with polished gfx. In that case i would be better of playing ato or rfb tbh then to buy a new game for it:P
Its idd to bad that theres only the types 7, but yeah cant please em all i gues.
My only worry is that hopefully the interface wont be to cumbersome if you have to physically move the kaleun trough the sub to every station.
for example having to move between the sonarstation to listen and the control room to give orders to dodge some DD's could be become annoying.

Anyways good interview, keep it up :)

p.s. what i would like to see, is a that SH5 doesnt "require" mods to be enjoyable unlike its predecesors :P Not that i dont love the mods that are out but you know what i mean :P
because i stil think its stupid that ubi makes money over the back of modteams that finish the game for them.

Sailor Steve

01-21-10, 06:10 PM

My only worry is that hopefully the interface wont be to cumbersome if you have to physically move the kaleun trough the sub to every station.
for example having to move between the sonarstation to listen and the control room to give orders to dodge some DD's could be become annoying.
But that's the whole point of having a detailed interior and captain simulation. In real life you couldn't just magically look at the map while on the bridge, or listen to the hydrophones while in the control room. That's exactly what they're aiming for.:sunny:

Mikhayl

01-21-10, 06:13 PM

And if it's well done you won't have to listen to the hydrophone, just ask the sonar guy like a real captain. In SH3 and 4 you have to listen yourself because the sonarman is near useless. Here's hoping :)

slowworm

01-21-10, 06:55 PM

What I can't fathom is everyone talking about improved simulation for the single class of subs.

Having seen the screenshots of the periscope view that look more like something I would see on SSN-21 (Seawolf) I can't marry the expressions "Improved simulation" together with the periscope view with the "sonar guy" and the "radio guy". (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160233)

I have yet to see any screenshots of the TDC etc.

So, in reality, we are still left with mostly speculation, and what little we have seen (such as the periscope view) indicates that true systems simulation has not been at the forefront of development.

Folks like Hitman and U-Jagd have researched the technology available to u-boot commanders of the day and given us OLC and the U-Jagd tools for SH3. Not to forget the GWX folks either.

If SH5 were truely doing systems simulation then 100 second stopwatches and whizz wheels would be built into the game. We would have a gyro compass with a working inner and outer compass cards. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

On the face of it this really is looking like a move away from a true simulation to more of an RPG. The lack of screenshots showing anything that would actually involve systems simulation does rather seem to prove the point.

Until someone gets the game and posts a detailed review with no holds barred I'm assuming this is a step backwards from a systems standpoint at least.

V.C. Sniper

01-21-10, 07:18 PM

completely agree with you slowworm

THE_MASK

01-21-10, 07:24 PM

SH5 is a step backwards if you wanted improved SH3 type game but its not . SH5 is a step forwards in a new direction which is not a simulation but rather looks like a interactive RPG . Then again i could be completely wrong .

Glock17

01-21-10, 08:48 PM

But that's the whole point of having a detailed interior and captain simulation. In real life you couldn't just magically look at the map while on the bridge, or listen to the hydrophones while in the control room. That's exactly what they're aiming for.:sunny:

oh i dont a bit of imersion, but it stil has to be playable and not feel like your training the kaleun for a marathon or having to do alot interface rumaging around to know what you need to know :P

JScones

01-21-10, 09:11 PM

Question to the future modders:salute:, who will probably not know the answer yet.
Will it have any use improving/modding SH5, when there will in the distant future be, perhaps, a payware add-on that may address the limitations as already mentioned, that is the remaining U-boots, the correct historical end of the u-boot war and other aspects?
A frustrating question that undoubtedly will be playing on the minds of many a modder. No-one likes having to randomly revisit their work, particularly if it is likely to become obsolete, that's why the best leaps forward tend to be after the last patch (or known game update).

Now if Ubisoft decide to play their cards close to their chest after SH5 is released, then there may be some hesitation from some modders that want to start looking at the "big things".

What I can't fathom is everyone talking about improved simulation for the single class of subs.

Having seen the screenshots of the periscope view that look more like something I would see on SSN-21 (Seawolf) I can't marry the expressions "Improved simulation" together with the periscope view with the "sonar guy" and the "radio guy". (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=160233)

I have yet to see any screenshots of the TDC etc.

So, in reality, we are still left with mostly speculation, and what little we have seen (such as the periscope view) indicates that true systems simulation has not been at the forefront of development.

Folks like Hitman and U-Jagd have researched the technology available to u-boot commanders of the day and given us OLC and the U-Jagd tools for SH3. Not to forget the GWX folks either.

If SH5 were truely doing systems simulation then 100 second stopwatches and whizz wheels would be built into the game. We would have a gyro compass with a working inner and outer compass cards. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

On the face of it this really is looking like a move away from a true simulation to more of an RPG. The lack of screenshots showing anything that would actually involve systems simulation does rather seem to prove the point.

Until someone gets the game and posts a detailed review with no holds barred I'm assuming this is a step backwards from a systems standpoint at least.
:up: Exactly. Hopefully the term "simulation" applies to the whole package, not just the FPS aspect. I mean, SH5 is, after all, a study sim now. For it to be considered anything less would simply prove your point.

Archive1

01-21-10, 11:11 PM

Letum

01-21-10, 11:16 PM

May I repeat my question?

Maybe an awkward question, but how much of Tomi's work will be incorporated into SH5? Does anyone know...or is it something that should/will/must be held close for legal reasons?

Unless you know something I don't; None.

It is a potential nightmare to use work of people who are not employed in your company for many reasons.

TarJak

01-21-10, 11:17 PM

Elder-Pirate

01-22-10, 01:15 AM

Have to admit I was a little disappointed reading that interview of what SHV will somewhat be but now after reading all this thread with the pros and cons I think I'm still on the SHV Dev's side of the boat. :salute:

Yes I will be buying it. :up:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/oleman/v3_prd_configurator_saucer_silver.jpg

Up until a few days ago my computer ( 6 years old ) would never play SHV, so I got on the ball and now my computer case ( Alienware full tower ) is the only part of the computer that is six years old. It's cost me over $700.00 U.S. to renew everything from the PCIe ASUS motherboard right down to the fans ( all ten of them ). Although the XP 32 bit only recognizes 3 1/2 gig ram from the two sticks of 2 GIG each, AMD 9500 Quad core processor, 680 watt psu with three 12 volt rails, a Ge Force 9600 GT OC 512MB graphic card. It pretty well flies. Later on I'll probably change to Win 7 64 bit then I'll start adding more RAM. Motherboard will hold 16 Gigs Ram at 64 bit

The 9600 GT will be next to go as it was a FREE replacement from BFG for an older AGP card that was no longer being made. Am checking prices for the Nvidia 200 series, not sure just which one yet.

Oh yeah also a 1200 watt UPS ( battery backup ). :arrgh!:

Come on March for I'm ready to launch that VII ( I hope ) :woot:

IronOutlaw

01-22-10, 01:40 AM

I think it is most important that we all realise that Ubisoft is a company that has to pay its way. Many of the contributors to these threads ar more than a little interested in the history of the U-boat war, but are we sufficient to finance an in depth simulation? Probably not.

Thus the modders take up the slack for the hard core gamers creating a realistic simulation whilst the stock game will appeal to a wider audience who have no knowledge about WW II, let alone the Battle of the Atlantic. I am a retired history teacher, trust me I know. But these are the punters who keep companies like Ubisof in business.

So, I am gratedul that they are trying to keep a balanced view whilst attempting to keep most people pleased. I for one am grateful for what they are doing, and if I have to buy SH V, Part II, then so be it. We only get what we pay for.

Still haven't heard about the ports and harbours, whether or not they will be realistic or generic. Realistic ones would be so cool to come home to, having the Flotilla Commander come aboard to greet .......... Sorry, whishful thinking again.

Thanks Neal for the interviews. Really appreciate what you do.

Brad aka,

Letum

01-22-10, 01:58 AM

Why does it matter? If his work is in there and he got paid for it then congrats Tomi. If it's in there and he didn't get paid then that's Tomi's problem isn't it?

Other than Dan and a couple of the other devs who post here occasionally I've really go no idea who's work is in the game and frankly don't care as long as it is good.

I dread to think how much a game like SH5 costs to make. Even if the
dev.s feel able to risk all that investment by using work they can't
guarantee 100% that they have full and exclusive rights to and control
over, the production company are unlikely to feel the same way.

It's just not worth it for them when they can go with out or do it them selves.

Then there are still lots of additional legal costs, even if everything does go smoothly.

fieldmarwam

01-22-10, 04:59 AM

:arrgh!:Hi all just a good question hope some on can awnser it will Silent Hunter 5 have Sea Cows?? it is a must other wise the Game is not so real if the awnser is no pleas pleas concider having Sea Cows in Silent Hunter 5 so refueling in mid Ocean is possible.
:yeah:The other question is will you have mid Ocean Oil Tankers ?? as this is a nother way for the Fleet to refuel so the Fleet can rearm, restock and refuel and do Mail transfer for the crew.
:sunny:Mail from home made the Sailors happier well most of them anyways lol happy crew is a more efficiant crew because they have had contact with Loved ones from home.
:woot:Some of the deep Ocean refueling Ships not only refueld vesels and rearmed them they also carried out repairs that where of a minor nature that could not be fixed by the Submarine crew.

:rock:Well here is hopping that this time we have deep Ocean Refueling capebilety's
:oops:sweet Mama i just thought of a nother idear VOIP with your Sister Submarine wouldent that be cool.

God bless

fieldmarwam(sunnrayalpha)
RAAOC 225999
20 years Army.:salute:
Australia

PL_Andrev

01-22-10, 08:25 AM

What next?
Paid add-on with IX sub type and "Operation Paukenschlag"?

McBeck

01-22-10, 09:26 AM

Yeah, if you push down that "scripted" BS road than SH3 and SH4 are totally scripted. I mean, "go to grid XXNN and patrol for 24h", wow, how more rigid can it get :)Try playing SH2

mookiemookie

01-22-10, 09:28 AM

:arrgh!:Hi all just a good question hope some on can awnser it will Silent Hunter 5 have Sea Cows?? it is a must other wise the Game is not so real if the awnser is no pleas pleas concider having Sea Cows in Silent Hunter 5 so refueling in mid Ocean is possible.
:yeah:The other question is will you have mid Ocean Oil Tankers ?? as this is a nother way for the Fleet to refuel so the Fleet can rearm, restock and refuel and do Mail transfer for the crew.

:woot:Some of the deep Ocean refueling Ships not only refueld vesels and rearmed them they also carried out repairs that where of a minor nature that could not be fixed by the Submarine crew.

Yes, milk cows will be in the game.

Though strictly speaking, and according to the book on the milk cows I'm reading right now, they were very rarely used for rearming torpedoes. The Type XIV milk cow only carried a supply of 4 torpedoes, and often returned from patrol with 4 torpedoes. They were primarily used for provisioning and dispensing between 30 and 60 tons of fuel oil to boats in the mid-ocean.

schnorchel

01-22-10, 10:17 AM

what i am concerning mostly is will the earth be modeled round, in other word will we have a realistic see navigation?:hmmm:

Mikhayl

01-22-10, 10:20 AM

what i am concerning mostly is will the earth be modeled round, in other word will we have a realistic see navigation?:hmmm:

Sadly no, the devs posted in the Ubi Q & A that the world is similar to SH3 & 4, cylindrical. But I wonder if they will have implemented an alternative way to navigate, I mean, even with a "fake" world it's possible to simulate star and sun navigation, even if it's not true-to-life.

mr chris

01-22-10, 10:42 AM

Yes, milk cows will be in the game.

Though strictly speaking, and according to the book on the milk cows I'm reading right now, they were very rarely used for rearming torpedoes. The Type XIV milk cow only carried a supply of 4 torpedoes, and often returned from patrol with 4 torpedoes. They were primarily used for provisioning and dispensing between 30 and 60 tons of fuel oil to boats in the mid-ocean.

Hey Mookie what book is that?

mookiemookie

01-22-10, 10:44 AM

Hey Mookie what book is that?

http://www.amazon.com/MILK-COWS-U-Boat-Tankers-1941/dp/184884008X

CptCrunch

01-22-10, 11:04 AM

Well when I heard about a time and u-boat type restricted campaign to 1943 my initial reaction was Ugh! but now I've thought about it I feel that I would rather have a fully immersive partial campaign with emphasis on realism and accuracy than a one size fits all for the whole war.
If Ubi really have gone to this much trouble and it's that good - then I for one wouldn't mind buying part 2 of the war as a future add on
I especially would like to see a proper end to the war where I could fight and die, scuttle or surrender my boat, fly the black flag and make my way to Scotland under watchful escort
Also get the more advanced boats and weapons and face the increasingly ferocious allied counter-offensive. Imagine running the gauntlet in the Bay of Biscay circa '44 with a 1 in 4 chance of survival or fleeing to Norway as France is liberated? - there is great scope and material for a part 2 in my opinion!
:)

Lanzfeld

01-22-10, 11:06 AM

I agree CptCrunch but the big worry is that we DID NOT get any increase in accuracy or realism.

mr chris

01-22-10, 11:32 AM

Thanks Mookie.
That has been added to my wish list.:up:

TH0R

01-22-10, 12:32 PM

Nothing in the interview reassures me at all that Ubi is learning anything about the nature of a good simulation. Hope I turn out to be wrong!

Very wise words sir. :)

I have to agree, completely.

TarJak

01-22-10, 07:33 PM

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1243538&postcount=43

The info linked from the post above pretty much puts to bed any of my concerns in terms of the dynamic campaign.

It still makes it only the more puzzling as to why the campaign ends in 1943 and beyond the lack of additional boat types this is probably the biggest concern outstanding.

thruster

01-22-10, 07:51 PM

ok, my 2c worth:
i think theres heaps of potential in what theyre doing. it sounds like what theyre doing is creating a baseline for a very detailed type VII simulator. whilst it may contain easy point and shoot capability for the kids, the harder settings plus modability should enhanse this even more for the hardcore community. for once we are stepping towards 'actually being in there'. if this is initially at the cost of tooling around with a half-baked type II or IX or whatever then so be it.

re the '43 ending. do you honestly think the sub fans in the dev team actually want to stop in '43? realistically, if they want to do this in detail and properly then its most plausible that it will be a later patch, or even possibly an add-on SH6 variant? the success of this could subsequently mean the same attention to detail given to the remaining sub types too.

so in effect we are getting an awesome detailed sim of THE ubiquitous u-boat type. it will be the first of many additions. it will be a beautiful game, so enough of the negative waves, hmm.:|\\

TarJak

01-22-10, 07:55 PM

http://danavenell.com/ODDBALLSAYSsilkscreen.jpg

OK here is something positive. I like the graphics in SH5 better than the ones in SH4.:D

No I honestly think the developers like most developers, (and believe me I've worked with and managed a few hundred of them in my time), do what they are told and develop to the specifications they have been provided with. Its not them I'm getting negative waves from.

The developers do not make the decisions around what gets in and what gets left out. If they did the game would a) never get released because it would never be "finished" and b) would probably be far too heavy on most generic PC gaming rigs bar the high end ones used by developers.

IF there is a later add on that covers the end of the war INCLUDING the new weapons that came along after 1943 then I'll probably buy it.

IF there is a later add on that covers in great detail the Type II, Type IX and Type XXI playable at a miniumum then again I'll probably buy it.

Personally I want something that is engaging enough to make me want to play it for more than a few hours and that by and large means variety of scenarios and platforms used by the player.

jazman

01-22-10, 09:58 PM

A lot of people are projecting fantasies onto the game. The interview itself is very sparse on detail. I love this part:

Subsim: Last question: copy protection; what kind of copy protection scheme will SH5 use? Some kind of serial number, a program, or will the game be linked to Steam, or Uplay?

Alex: We cannot comment on that either right now.

Subsim: Is it under discussion or is it just finalized and you aren't going to go into details?

Dan: We... cannot comment on that right now. (laughs).

Hah hah, I bought U-Boat Missions online, can't install on new computer, fooled twice shame on me!

Archive1

01-22-10, 11:36 PM

Does anyone know if the devs have returned to a mandatory arrival at ones assigned quadrant? GW versions eliminated this (I do understand why) but it seemed a quite inappropriate simplification of a campaign and certainly reduced reality.
And does anyone know if the weather will be tweaked? For instance, why do we always leave harbor in perfect weather?
Over the past several months the forum has been awash in comments and ideas, so maybe these questions have been answered, but I haven't found them.
Regarding Tarjack's comments that, "who cares" if Tomi's work is incorporated, I know that the devs and the company may not, but many on the forum have followed his amazing stuff and the forum as a group has encouraged him (who could not?): it would be grand to find much of his detailed interior show up in SH5 or, perhaps, in a mod of it. So much beautiful design...and no commercial application? Sad.

THE_MASK

01-22-10, 11:36 PM

Submarine damage in SH5 . Ok so there is 3D flooding and fire . ATM in SH3/4 there is hit points etc . It would be good if in SH5 , holes in your sub would allow water to enter the compartment and this affects the boyancy etc . So basically one hole could finish you off is what i am saying .

mookiemookie

01-22-10, 11:41 PM

So much beautiful design...and no commercial application? Sad.

There's so many legal and contractual issues surrounding something like that happening that it will never happen.

lynx

01-23-10, 09:00 AM

Hello; first to be thankful to Neal by the interesting interview to Dan and Alex. In my opinion the limitation of the game to year 1943, just does not develop all the experience of game in the historical plane, although if it is to the benefit of the rest perhaps it is positive.It leaves the possibility to the Modders of extending the game or to modify it when facilitating to the access and demands to the archives, this seems to me well.
I do not see any commentary about the Mission Editor, to where is possible to be arrived when creating the games to multiplayer?.I am convinced that this new version is better than the previous ones, by this I will buy the ShV, even if there is one second part.
Thanks, Greetings:DL

Safe-Keeper

01-23-10, 09:21 AM

Well, the reason it's 1939-1943 (or 1940-1943, honestly didn't catch that) is that the campaign is far more detailed now. If you look back at SHIII, and even SH4, you'll remember that the campaigns weren't that deep, and that they didn't have too many scripted events (like the Normandie landings, the invasion of Norway, etc.). SH4 improved this somewhat, with dynamic orders, but the campaign itself wasn't very deep.

Webchessie

01-23-10, 03:14 PM

Nice interview, but a little disappointing as well. However, I for one is going to wait for more information from Ubi before I make a final decision to purchase SHV. Maybe will wait 30 - 60 days after its release before purchasing. I was going to buy first day out, but now . . .:06:

onelifecrisis

01-23-10, 05:01 PM

Sadly no, the devs posted in the Ubi Q & A that the world is similar to SH3 & 4, cylindrical.

/facepalm :nope:

That's disappointing, and a little worrying.

spiksy

01-24-10, 04:59 PM

John Channing

01-24-10, 05:11 PM

They didnt said anything about submarine control on full realism......are ballast tanks seperately and individualy controled fully by player, also the dive planes control and bunch of this minor things that were automaticaly controled in sh3 and sh4......it would be a fun and challenging for real "Herr Kaleuns" players

"Real" captains didn't control ballast tanks or dive planes.

What would be fun (in my book) would be a real simulation where the captain issued the orders and the crew carries them out. Need to crash dive? You issue the order and you hear the order repeated back , then you hear the Chief issue the correct commands to the crew and hear these repeated back. Once you are safe you issue the order to come to periscope depth and hear the order repeated back and then the correct proceedures for coming up to PD.

If you are attacking a target you get the bearing and call it out and that is what is plotted on the map and entered into the TDC..\ You get the range and the crew enters that data. You decide the torpedo setting and issue the command and the crew carries it out.

That would be realism. The captain running around checking the hydrophones, entering the TDC data and manning the dive planes is about as far from "realism" as you can get.

JCC

spiksy

01-24-10, 05:18 PM

I know the entire procedure too, but it would be interesting leave the option for manual control, and that "repeated orders from XO" that is what i also hoping that they will include for example ("ja voll her kaleun, zehroetiefe, heck tauchklappen 15 grad . . . .") and also option for individualy control left and right engine (to have option to stop single engine) that would be more useful when manovering underwater (what was done in real life in ww2)

fromhell

01-24-10, 05:21 PM

really does look good.
cant wait:yeah:

GREY WOLF 3

01-24-10, 06:57 PM

"Real" captains didn't control ballast tanks or dive planes.

What would be fun (in my book) would be a real simulation where the captain issued the orders and the crew carries them out. Need to crash dive? You issue the order and you hear the order repeated back , then you hear the Chief issue the correct commands to the crew and hear these repeated back. Once you are safe you issue the order to come to periscope depth and hear the order repeated back and then the correct proceedures for coming up to PD.

If you are attacking a target you get the bearing and call it out and that is what is plotted on the map and entered into the TDC..\ You get the range and the crew enters that data. You decide the torpedo setting and issue the command and the crew carries it out.

That would be realism. The captain running around checking the hydrophones, entering the TDC data and manning the dive planes is about as far from "realism" as you can get.

JCC

Well said:salute: I for one will not rush out and buy it,fingers got burnt with sh4. Ill stick to GWX GOLD:up:

Kapt Z

01-25-10, 08:30 PM

Good interview. Still on the fence though. Eye candy is nice, but would trade it for many other things. I love the type VII, but NO other sub types? Ugh.

Glad I still love SH III. Not even remotely bored with it and it's been how many years now?

CptCrunch

01-26-10, 05:53 AM

Well talk about prejudging a release!!!
SH5 "Its gonna be crap","I wont buy it","Does it have this?","Does it have that?"
Hey guess what? Get a life - We'll find out when it comes out!
I'm sure that when it does there will be plenty to get our teeth into whether it's playing, modding or hand wringing about historical inaccuracies.
In the meantime all this pre-judgment and sometimes hysterical speculation is so pointless and quite frankly dull to the point of excruciation.
Ubisoft have released a few pointers and facts to titillate (us) their potential user base - duh!,who wouldn't?
Presumably they are hoping to work us all into a frenzy so that we dish out our hard earned wonga for SH5 like thoughtless automatons.
Guess what? - I will anyway because I want to support the work of Subsims and the SH series is in my view the best by far.
So in the meantime I'm going to shut up and enjoy GWX3 gold. :D

spiksy

01-26-10, 07:26 AM

so that is what is all about......moding

ubi dev team no longer makes a good u-boat simulation like SH2 and SH3 for its itme

now it is about "here we will make SH5 in short time, we will finish like 50% of the game with thousands of bugs and glitches and release it because lack of time and you modders from subsim can make a 1-2 gb bunch of mods to finaly make the game COMPLETE what was actualy the ubi dev. team job to do!

great and then they gonna release 5-6 patches for every single bug and after that they gonna release the Add-on with another 1001 bugs

UBISOFT SHOULD TAKE OUR MODDERS FOR THE MASTER DEV. TEAM CUZ GWX 3.0 FOR SH3 WAS MASTERWORK

Danji

01-26-10, 08:19 AM

oh man, reading the forum sure is depressing. quite few optimists out there.

Uber Gruber

01-26-10, 08:36 AM

Are you depressed cos they're optimistic ?

Onkel Neal

01-26-10, 08:40 AM

oh man, reading the forum sure is depressing. quite few optimists out there.

Can you imagine being on a real U-boat with some of these guys as crew? :hmmm:

"Hey, Johan, where is that dripping coming from?"

"Dripping? Water? OMG, we are sinking! Everyone, we are sinking! The boat is doomed, the leak is scripted, it's bee-yoo-tiful but that's just eye candy, we're all gonna dieeeee!"

:haha:

mookiemookie

01-26-10, 08:55 AM

Can you imagine being on a real U-boat with some of these guys as crew? :hmmm:

"Hey, Johan, where is that dripping coming from?"

"Dripping? Water? OMG, we are sinking! Everyone, we are sinking! The boat is doomed, the leak is scripted, it's bee-yoo-tiful but that's just eye candy, we're all gonna dieeeee!"

:haha:

Talk about immersion! *rim shot*

Danji

01-26-10, 08:58 AM

:haha: yeah! we'd all be doomed.

at least that kind of people can hit a ship with the settings turned to realistic. i can do it too.. if the planets align.

Alex

01-26-10, 09:07 AM

:har:

longam

01-26-10, 09:24 AM

That drop is bigger then the other drop. Thats not realistic. :haha:

Onkel Neal

01-26-10, 10:04 AM

That drop is bigger then the other drop. Thats not realistic. :haha:

:haha: And where are the drop's dynamic shadows??

Anyway, I can understand the general unease... where are the acts of good faith called "previews"? :hmmm: There's no way we can manage expectations when we do not know what the game is looking like. I cannot write a preview on SH5 like I did on SH3. Thanks to Florin, the SH3 producer, I was able to write several:

http://www.subsim.com/2004e3_ssr.html
http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_1104/preview_sh3_oct04.htm.php (http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_1104/preview_sh3_oct04.htm.php) (This was 8 months before the game was released!)
http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_rc1/sh3_mar05_dc1.htm (http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_rc1/sh3_mar05_dc1.htm)
http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_1104/preview_sh3_oct04_tdc.htm (http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_1104/preview_sh3_oct04_tdc.htm)

and Drebbel also got a firsthand look: http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_1104/review_sh3_aug04.htm

So, players knew what to expect, and this silliness, doubt, and negativity we are experiencing now was pretty non-existent with SH3. :shucks:

johan_d

01-26-10, 10:36 AM

So, players knew what to expect, and this silliness, doubt, and negativity we are experiencing now was pretty non-existent with SH3.

Thats what UBi wants apparently...
Times has changed, maybe there is something they are afraid for.

Arclight

01-26-10, 10:44 AM

I think it's the fans who are afraid of something. ;)

Lanzfeld

01-26-10, 10:59 AM

:haha: I cannot write a preview on SH5 like I did on SH3.

Why wont they send you a preview Neal?

kapitan_zur_see

01-26-10, 12:54 PM

Alex

01-26-10, 01:07 PM

Maybe they don't want to send preview copies for fear of piracy?
As it's a major concern among the gaming industry these days, they could kind of rightfully gets a little paranoid that one previewer would release a torrent soon after?
That may be true, since I remember playing some Unreal Tournament game before release day.

:oops:

elanaiba

01-26-10, 01:16 PM

While they may be "institutional / bureaucracy issues" in getting a review or preview copies to Neal, I'm pretty sure no one in Ubisoft thinks he'd supply pirates with his copy.

spiksy

01-26-10, 01:17 PM

Maybe they don't want to send preview copies for fear of piracy?
As it's a major concern among the gaming industry these days, they could kind of rightfully gets a little paranoid that one previewer would release a torrent soon after?

Don't know, just thinking about it. I don't know much in this department

sooner or later the game will be on torrent ( i know i shouldnt talk about ilegal stuffs on forum but i am just saying informativley) and in the matter of days i hope it will get a good amount of seeds :DL

mookiemookie

01-26-10, 01:18 PM

Enjoy your stay in the brig.

floundericiousWA

01-26-10, 01:48 PM

kapitan_zur_see

01-26-10, 02:21 PM

i hope it will get a good amount of seeds :DL

If you're hoping that in a matter of days it will get a good amount of seeds, then sorry, but you're basically hoping that a pirated and cracked copy of SH5 could be conveniently and rapidly downloaded... Slip of the tongue maybe? Couldn't I rightfully assess by this that this is no longer an "i am just saying informativley" posture then or at least, that the idea of the game being pirated by others gives you pleasure (as a way of bashing the devs and/or UBI, I presume)?

At the very least, I find you quite bold to post such a statement right after a post from Elanaiba who happens to be, if you don't know it already, one of SH5 dev... :stare:

No selling SH5, probably no more future Silent Hunter... that's quite simple

Webster

01-26-10, 02:31 PM

we're all gonna dieeeee!"

darn neal, :nope: now i cant get the sound of sid the sloth saying that out of my head

hmm, :hmmm: maybe that would make a good mod

Onkel Neal

01-26-10, 02:45 PM

darn neal, :nope: now i cant get the sound of sid the sloth saying that out of my head

hmm, :hmmm: maybe that would make a good mod

Haha, I didn't have him in mind when I wrote that but NOW I DO! :doh:

robbythesub

01-26-10, 05:59 PM

Neal- thanks for the interview results, and as a great fan of SH3, especially WAC 4.1 modded, I am looking forward to this very much.
I echo the concerns raised above about shortened campaign to 1943 and one sub type, but was there any mention in discussions about radio messages?
I mean messages giving orders from bdu that need to be acted on?

Just wondered whether this was coming as it would make the game much more real.

:up:

Steeltrap

01-26-10, 10:15 PM

Enjoy your stay in the brig.

:har:

That sequence, from post to brig, was like watching a documentary on a disaster....you just know what's coming.....

:D

shark11

01-27-10, 02:33 AM

Hi I would like to know, when you do a crash dive will it have the german bells or the yanks bells, and will they talk in german,
why is it ending in 1943, it a walk in the park till then,just when the hard stuff starts and the game ends come on, what is this pac man.
I have got all the s/h, sh 3 with GWX is by far the best, sh 2 had some good bits in it, which they did not bring over,
dont get me wrong this new one looks great and I love the part about how you can walk around,I would wait so they can go all the way to the end of the war, then half a job.
thank you
shark11
ps will we get to have a shot at something big like a battleship or flattop.

lynx

01-27-10, 04:49 AM

In the interview of Neal there is information to know enough that we can find in Sh5, we do prejudices advancing what can or not have the game, but 80% in negative commentaries. Gentlemen, we are going to be but optimistic and to give a vote of confidence to the UBI Team!

floundericiousWA

01-27-10, 09:52 AM

darn neal, :nope: now i cant get the sound of sid the sloth saying that out of my head

Everytime I think of sid the sloth, I think of Diego having his teeth on Sid's neck and manny walking by saying "Diego! Spit that out, you don't know where it's been!" :D

Nicolas

01-27-10, 10:09 AM

Why we know so little about the game at only 1 or 2 month of the release??,
For example, there will be manual targeting and how, not 1 screenshot on how manual targeting will work?
I suppose if the game is kind of bug free, and more moddable like the developers said, if you see what the great mods done to sh3... a mod can add entries to campaign files and roster etc to add years. Adding boats should be not very difficult, except for the interior . If SH5 will be a good platform for modders i'm optimistic. I dont know that's my wish.
Maybe we get a surprise. i hope not a horrible one...

TitaniumRR

01-27-10, 01:24 PM

Any info about System requirements?

- minimum and optimum

Hartmann

01-28-10, 07:28 AM

Any info about System requirements?

- minimum and optimum

No news until now, they are still codding the game, or they don´t wan´t release information about the game and avoid a revolution in the forums :haha:

in sh3 there was more important information released one month before compared with SHV.

And ubi law suits don´t help to calm down using a very invasive DRM

Deep Dive

01-28-10, 07:34 AM

Maybe we get a surprise. i hope not a horrible one...

So far we only get horrible surprises (39-43 campaign, only one type u-boat, DRM )

I tried to be optimistic but i guess the next "surprise" is the targetting :damn:

Arclight

01-28-10, 07:55 AM

Any info about System requirements?

- minimum and optimum
Recommended:

Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0GHz / Opteron Dual core 270
Geforce 8800 GTS 512MB / Radeon HD 4850
2 GB RAM
5 GB HD space
DX9

http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=749&game=Silent%20Hunter%205

Steeltrap

01-28-10, 09:25 AM

And.....drum roll....a connection to the internet for the entire time you play a 1 PLAYER game.

Sheer genius. :har:

BulSoldier

01-28-10, 09:37 AM

One good news for me is atleast the hardware req arent that high. Though this is far from compasating for all the lacking in other areas.

Jimbuna

01-28-10, 06:27 PM

One good news for me is atleast the hardware req arent that high. Though this is far from compasating for all the lacking in other areas.

Agreed http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Kapitan_Phillips

01-28-10, 08:55 PM

Looks like I'm gonna have to spend more bloody money upgrading to play it. I agree with the comments about it ending in 1943 - that's the challenging bit, when you aren't shooting fish in a barrel.

*sighs* I was so looking forward to it, aswell :-?

onelifecrisis

01-29-10, 05:41 AM

Are you depressed cos they're optimistic ?

:har:
:har:

onelifecrisis

01-29-10, 05:44 AM

Geforce 8800 GTS 512MB / Radeon HD 4850

That's weird... I thought a HD 4850 was quite a lot better than a 8800 GTS? :hmmm:
How does my GTX 260 (192 core) compare to those cards?

Arclight

01-29-10, 06:27 AM

8800/9800GT > 8800 GTS 512 > 9800GTX/GTS250 > GTS260

Technically the 8800GTX goes between 8800GTS 512 and 9800GTX, but difference from 8800GTS 512 is negligable; performs better on high resolutions thanks to wider memory bus, but GTS is as fast or faster under "normal" conditions.

HD 4850 falls between 9600GT and 9800GT, as far as I can tell.
* no that's not right. Probably more compareable to 9800GTX.

onelifecrisis

01-29-10, 06:29 AM

8800/9800GT > 8800 GTS 512> 9800GTX/GTS250 > GTS260

Technically the 8800GTX goes between 8800GTS 512 and 9800GTX, but difference from 8800GTS 512 is negligable; performs better on high resolutions thanks to wider memory bus, but GTS is as fast or faster under "normal" conditions.

Umm... there is no GTS 260 AFAIK...
If you mean the GTX 260 then I'm pretty sure it's faster (>>) than a GTS 250?

Arclight

01-29-10, 06:36 AM

Yeah, sorry. :doh:

GTS250 (rebranded 9800GTX+), then GTX 260 core 216

* ehr, I think core 216 competes with HD 4870, so I think that puts the core 192 between HD 4850 and HD 4870.

onelifecrisis

01-29-10, 06:48 AM

Yeah, sorry. :doh:

GTS250 (rebranded 9800GTX+), then GTX 260 core 216

* ehr, I think core 216 competes with HD 4870, so I think that puts the core 192 between HD 4850 and HD 4870.

So I beat the recommended graphics card spec by a nose?

Arclight

01-29-10, 07:26 AM

onelifecrisis

01-29-10, 07:38 AM

By a fair margin, shouldn't have any trouble with medium/"normal" settings, I suspect medium-high is possible. ;)

It's impossible to say for sure, but... well, I just can't imagine the game would need more to run decently. No point in giving it "Crysis-syndrome", right? (ie. ridiculous requirements, limiting it to only high-end rigs)

Yeah, that's what I thought, but a GTX 260 to play on "medium" sounds like Crysis syndrome to me. :hmmm: And the game doesn't even look that much better than SH3! I mean don't get me wrong, it looks great, but, well you know what I mean. Maybe those recommended specs will actually run the game on "high" or "very high", that would make more sense to me. I guess we'll see!

Mikhayl

01-29-10, 07:46 AM

In a post somewhere Dan said that he expected to play with all details on a 8800GT or HD 4850 (IIRC), so the "recommended" config maybe is "recommended to play with all options maxed out"

onelifecrisis

01-29-10, 07:49 AM

In a post somewhere Dan said that he expected to play with all details on a 8800GT or HD 4850 (IIRC), so the "recommended" config maybe is "recommended to play with all options maxed out"

:rock:

Arclight

01-29-10, 09:24 AM

Yeah, that's what I thought, but a GTX 260 to play on "medium" sounds like Crysis syndrome to me. :hmmm: And the game doesn't even look that much better than SH3! I mean don't get me wrong, it looks great, but, well you know what I mean. Maybe those recommended specs will actually run the game on "high" or "very high", that would make more sense to me. I guess we'll see!
Yeah, that makes more sense to me as well, but I don't want to go around stating a 8800GT will let you play with all the bells and whistles, while in truth it might only get you halfway there.

8800GTS 512 here, doubt it will have much trouble with SH5, but we'll see. Might be yet another unpleasant surprise. :lol: :-?

elanaiba

01-29-10, 12:52 PM

In a post somewhere Dan said that he expected to play with all details on a 8800GT or HD 4850 (IIRC), so the "recommended" config maybe is "recommended to play with all options maxed out"

No I don't think Dan said that... maybe somebody else?

Mikhayl

01-29-10, 12:59 PM

Woops you're right, should have checked :oops:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1155576&postcount=30
and it's old, so maybe things changed since then.

Archive1

02-02-10, 07:16 PM

Perhaps answered somewhere else in forum...looked but did not see it.

Any opportunity for the player to 'write or draw' things on the tac map? Would like to note, ie, write down contact times, maybe have xtra symbols for aircraft contacts, be able to draw simple lines, perhaps just have different colored symbols. I understood this was not possible in earlier versions because the tac map was essentially hard coded and one was limited to the cross, straight edge, compass, etc. But in SH 5?

Interested discussion about an as yet barely known product. I believe UBI will release a 'trial' version to the senior, responsible members of the forum, but will logically wait until they believe they have most kinks worked out. Seems good sense.

Certainly plan to buy it, how else to move forward with a great simulator? And with others I await the modding gurus to work their magic.

Have to thank UBI for all the terrific hours immersed in their series of products...and for some frustrations, but hey, that's the real world.

Await Neal's future reviews and comments.

Galanti

02-02-10, 10:08 PM

write down contact times,

Fantastic idea! I've been wondering how the hardcore skippers around here notate their marks on the map, would really make submerged tracking easier.

Jaeger

02-03-10, 07:50 AM

Fantastic idea! I've been wondering how the hardcore skippers around here notate their marks on the map, would really make submerged tracking easier.

this feature was asked long time before in the q & a thread, but no answers yet. id like to know this too. this feature was in in sh2...

Webster

02-03-10, 11:28 AM

to be honest "nothing" about manual targetting was ever really answered so that along with no views of anything involving manual TDC leads people to wonder if its even in the game :06:

Semtex

02-03-10, 06:39 PM

hm. in fpp mode when we dive we will se crew moving to front of our uboot?
maybe anyone knows :P

Platapus

02-03-10, 06:54 PM

Fantastic idea! I've been wondering how the hardcore skippers around here notate their marks on the map, would really make submerged tracking easier.

I have always wondered that when we place a mark on the map the only label we can get is Mark (number) when really what we need is time of the mark.

Archive1

02-03-10, 11:23 PM

Platapus:
Not sure if your Brezinsky (sp) comment was for me or not...just kidding!

Yes to other comments: I have asked about this (being able to write to the tac map) for some time, but have never gotten an answer. Maybe won't until the new version comes out. If only UBI could make the map capable of being modded, I think the solution would rapidly emerge and a variety of options would be available - in fact, just think of the possibilities!

Archive1

02-04-10, 12:27 AM

Platapus: Brzezinski , Brzezinski , Brzezinski ...there got it.

Just picked up on the DRM requirement to be on-line full time when playing SH5. My enthusiasm has tanked. See the forum thread headed "DRM in Silent Hunter V" if you're not aware of this travesty.

Philipp_Thomsen

02-12-10, 12:28 AM

You guys should worry about carrer ending up in 1943, neither about having only 1 type of sub.

Like Dan said, this game is far more open to modders then the previous versions, so you can bet to see all campaign til 1945 and all subs in a few months, on the modding forum.

Also, about the hardware. The new Asus laptop with i7, 5800hd, 1tb hd and 8gb ram ddr3 is avaliable for 1500 dollars, with is cheap in my opinion. And its a LAPTOP! Desktop should be much cheaper then that.

Also dont worry about being connected to play: Give it a few weeks, so you can play without connect. Just make sure you buy the game, we dont want to tell ubi "dont make SH6 cos ur wasting money".

You gotta remember: For the arcade player, this game is awesome as it is. For the simulation suckers like us, there is the modding fantasy to make it look exactly like it should be. Honestly, I wouldnt like the game to be sold perfectly as it should be. Modding is the reason why pc games are at least twice as fun as console games.

elanaiba

02-12-10, 04:52 AM

I'm not sure what arcade player means in the context of Silent Hunter

urfisch

02-12-10, 07:22 AM

I'm not sure what arcade player means in the context of Silent Hunter

i guess most of us also dont know...but fact is, the interface we see on ALL screens and footages, looks like arcade. so many here guessed, the game has as a main target group the casual gamers, who are mostly arcade fans...easy gameplay...easy to handle...fast fun.

elanaiba

02-12-10, 07:47 AM

I understand your fears, but the primary reasons the interface was done like that are:

-to make it unobtrusive so the player is better able to enjoy the FPS camera
-to present the primary tactical choices and make the interface more understandable while NOT changing the functionality behind it.

Ask Neal to press the CTRL key.

609_Avatar

02-12-10, 08:19 AM

Ask Neal to press the CTRL key.

Oooo, a hint! :up: Okay, Neal, press the CTRL key, press the CTRL key!!! :)

onelifecrisis

02-12-10, 08:27 AM

elanaiba, I think the new GUI looks great, at least stylistically. Can't wait to see how it plays.

But I ain't calling you Big Boy. :O:

mookiemookie

02-12-10, 09:18 AM

http://imgur.com/TewiG.png

Consulting the keyboard map posted in the other thread, and consulting an English to French dictionary, I'd say the CTRL key turns on expert mode.

Now what does expert mode look like....:hmmm:

AVGWarhawk

02-12-10, 09:20 AM

:D CTRL key Neal...CTRL key! :rock:

Nisgeis

02-12-10, 02:36 PM

Now what does expert mode look like....:hmmm:

No icons at all or... lots more icons.

Heretic

02-12-10, 02:41 PM

In case you missed it, Neal posted a shot of the english version of the keyboard layout in another thread:

http://www.subsim.com/2010_02/sh5/previe12.jpg
http://www.subsim.com/2010_02/sh5/previe14.jpg

Onkel Neal

02-12-10, 04:26 PM

Like Dan said, this game is far more open to modders then the previous versions, so you can bet to see all campaign til 1945 and all subs in a few months, on the modding forum.

Also, about the hardware. The new Asus laptop with i7, 5800hd, 1tb hd and 8gb ram ddr3 is avaliable for 1500 dollars, with is cheap in my opinion. And its a LAPTOP! Desktop should be much cheaper then that.

Also dont worry about being connected to play: Give it a few weeks, so you can play without connect. Just make sure you buy the game, we dont want to tell ubi "dont make SH6 cos ur wasting money".

You gotta remember: For the arcade player, this game is awesome as it is. For the simulation suckers like us, there is the modding fantasy to make it look exactly like it should be. Honestly, I wouldnt like the game to be sold perfectly as it should be. Modding is the reason why pc games are at least twice as fun as console games.

:agree: Yes, that is a good way to look at it. If we were Consumer Guide, we would not care about potential, only the existing product. As we are subsim guys, and we know the dev team want a great U-boat sim with realism as much as we do, then it means we can be a little more understanding than the general gamer who wants every penny's worth of game product.:yep:

Philipp_Thomsen

02-12-10, 10:58 PM

:agree: Yes, that is a good way to look at it. If we were Consumer Guide, we would not care about potential, only the existing product. As we are subsim guys, and we know the dev team want a great U-boat sim with realism as much as we do, then it means we can be a little more understanding than the general gamer who wants every penny's worth of game product.:yep:

As much as Dan and crew wants to build up the perfect sim, they can't.

Firstly cos there's not enough time. Ubisoft is interested in making money, as any other company. They gotta make a good GAME in a short period of time, and they gotta use this time the best way they can to deliver a partially finished product, that can be enjoyed as stock by non-hardcore players.

BUT... We are hardcore players!

We modded sh3 to the limits and beyond, we did stuff not even those guys thought it would be possible. We have all the time in the world to invest in turning this GAME into a SIMULATOR. That's all what matters.

When they said "this game is more open to modding then any of the previous versions", I thought with myself: "nothing else bothers me". Cos, doesnt matter what is right or wrong with the finished product, its totally open for us to change and make it the way we want it to be.

And this is not a one-man-army. We have KAZILLIONS of modders around, each and every one with their own special abilities, and together we are a force to be reckon with.

Im not worry at all, cos I know for sure that about 12 months from now, SH5 will be absolutely the best thing that I ever played, and its gonna make me addicted to the bone, both playing and modding.

It blows my mind just to think about what we did to SH3, and what we will be able to do with SH5, keeping in mind its way more open to modding then SH3 was. Just... mind boggling!

Can't wait! :rock:

Edit: Neal, I just saw the second video "farewell my friend", and those english voices inside a german submarine are torturing me. Makes me remember U-571. PLEASE, tell me there is an option to switch to german voices... I will bite my head off if they didnt put german voices in SH5.