TorpX
12-19-12, 11:07 PM
It's been awhile since anybody posted about what kind of silent hunter game they would like, so readers are encouraged to write about what the next generation of Silent Hunter would look like if they had their wish. I was going to ask people to stick to ideas that were sensible and achievable, but since it is almost Christmas, be as frivolous as you want to be. I mean, if you consider the ideal SH to involve the teenager next door throwing M-80's on your roof to simulate exploding depth charges, who am I to say that's wrong.
No doubt Ubisoft will disappoint us again this X-mas, but perhaps some unknown computer genius will see our ideas, and be inspired to start work on a better subsim.
Here is my version of Silent Hunter Ultimate:
First, it should be for PC's and moddable. Emphasis here is on game play aspects. Naturally, it is set in the Pacific theater.
It should have rock-solid physics; better sub and ship movement, sinking and behavior.
Sound and Radar models need to be much better. No sound that travels through islands, a real SD radar, etc.
Much more realistic weather.
Spherical Earth model and realistic horizon.
More detailed models of engines, batteries, TDC, instruments, gyrocompass, etc.
A Mk VIII angle solver.
Better gun and ballistics models.
Some kind of realistic navigation. I don't think taking star sights and manual calculation, is really needed, but having the XO do the work, with a realistic error added, would be worthwhile.
A more detailed crew. I'm not sure the whole crew needs to be fleshed out or not. Possibly just the key officers and specialists could be done.
Some kind of assisted plotting function. The perfect plot map-contacts that we have in SH4 is terrible. But having observation data transfered to the plot could make things easier for those who dislike plotting without nerfing the game.
A much better AI. There are so many possibilities here. Instead of escorts that spend 30 min. trying to sink you, then go back to Japan for lunch, you could have it so there is a 50% chance they quit after 30 min., another 50% chance for the next, etc. So some would never give up (and you would never know beforehand). You could have conditions triggered by events. For example, sinking a capitol ship within sight of the escorts causes them to hunt for you to the last depth charge and last shell (but not every time).
Have an Imperial AI that will route convoys around hot spots when it becomes clear that enemy subs are on the prowl, or send more ASW units to remedy the situation.
A fictional campaign. Playing the same historic campaign will inevitably become dull after you know it well. There is no reason the game couldn't generate a fictional campaign whenever one is desired. Each one would be unique. Convoy routes, critical battles, and more could be changed, to keep the player guessing.
No doubt Ubisoft will disappoint us again this X-mas, but perhaps some unknown computer genius will see our ideas, and be inspired to start work on a better subsim.
Here is my version of Silent Hunter Ultimate:
First, it should be for PC's and moddable. Emphasis here is on game play aspects. Naturally, it is set in the Pacific theater.
It should have rock-solid physics; better sub and ship movement, sinking and behavior.
Sound and Radar models need to be much better. No sound that travels through islands, a real SD radar, etc.
Much more realistic weather.
Spherical Earth model and realistic horizon.
More detailed models of engines, batteries, TDC, instruments, gyrocompass, etc.
A Mk VIII angle solver.
Better gun and ballistics models.
Some kind of realistic navigation. I don't think taking star sights and manual calculation, is really needed, but having the XO do the work, with a realistic error added, would be worthwhile.
A more detailed crew. I'm not sure the whole crew needs to be fleshed out or not. Possibly just the key officers and specialists could be done.
Some kind of assisted plotting function. The perfect plot map-contacts that we have in SH4 is terrible. But having observation data transfered to the plot could make things easier for those who dislike plotting without nerfing the game.
A much better AI. There are so many possibilities here. Instead of escorts that spend 30 min. trying to sink you, then go back to Japan for lunch, you could have it so there is a 50% chance they quit after 30 min., another 50% chance for the next, etc. So some would never give up (and you would never know beforehand). You could have conditions triggered by events. For example, sinking a capitol ship within sight of the escorts causes them to hunt for you to the last depth charge and last shell (but not every time).
Have an Imperial AI that will route convoys around hot spots when it becomes clear that enemy subs are on the prowl, or send more ASW units to remedy the situation.
A fictional campaign. Playing the same historic campaign will inevitably become dull after you know it well. There is no reason the game couldn't generate a fictional campaign whenever one is desired. Each one would be unique. Convoy routes, critical battles, and more could be changed, to keep the player guessing.