Should I review the RA mod on Youtube?

[freijon]

Hi guys,

I'm new here in this forum but not really new to the game. I was thinking a lot if I should install the Reinforce Alert mod. I heard a lot of good things but also some negative comments. The way I usually make these kinds of decision: I search on youtube to see what I'm going to expect. Unfortunately there were not a lot of vids. Found some of FPSchazly covering LWAMI (btw. I love your vids!), but not much covering RA. I then installed the mod and played a bit with it.
So I thought I could do some vids myself, covering (at least) all controllable platforms and explaining the differences I notice from the vanilla DW version.
However, it's quite some effort and I've never recorded gameplay vids before. I'm a bit hesitant because I'm not the most talkative guy and I'm aware that gameplay vids with a silent person are boring. The other reason is that my mother tongue is German but I'd try to do it in English.

So my question:
Would you guys even appreciate vids like this or does anyone know about RA and there is no need at all?

Regards,
freijon

[ikalugin]

Would be nice, but that would probably need a MP session.

[freijon]

Would be nice, but that would probably need a MP session.

some of the changes would be shown best in a MP session, I agree. Like the "silent mode" of the Red October Typhoon.

[Aktungbby]

freijon:Kaleun_Salute:

[ikalugin]

The problem I think is setting the MP up, there is some dark ritual you have to perform.

But if you get it done, I can offer an over agressive RuN nuke driver :)

[freijon]

The problem I think is setting the MP up, there is some dark ritual you have to perform.

But if you get it done, I can offer an over agressive RuN nuke driver :)

Setting up the MP session wouldn't be an issue I think, I've played online with a friend several times (I can't host myself, just join, but that's because I'm using Linux). I just need an IP and then I'm ready to go. Anyway, I think first I would do some offline recordings with the AI to show the different/new stations, textures and weapons. I thought I'd do a quick-mission with all controllable platforms. But only if enough people think it's worth the effort...

[Hawk66]

Hi freijon,

just do it, as you say there are not much RA videos out there. Maybe you can play different missions with the various platforms. And SP is just fine...most people play it that way...- I guess

I'm currently creating a cold war mission for the RA-mod but it will take a while.

[Mike Abberton]

I think one of the shortcomings of the RA mod right now is that there are very few scenarios that showcase all the new platforms (especially the 60's-80's platforms). So for most, you are limited to quick missions or multiplayer.

Even for the original platforms, some of the changes in the mods (this includes LWAMI) kind of break the scenarios written for stock DW.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim freijon :sunny:

[Hawk66]

@Mike, there are a couple of standard scenarios, which are converted for the RA mod. Even the great RedStormRising campaign is available, you just have to copy the content of the RSR_RA_Campaign folder into the scenario folder. So, in my opinion there is enough content to do a lp series about the mod.

Also when you look at some comments/review @ steam you have the impression that a lot of people do not know that with the RA mod it is not a problem to run the sim on Win8/Win10. So a little promoting it via some yt videos would maybe help here to spread this info.

I have currently limited time but I'm starting to create a bit of a dynamic scenario in which you're playing a West German platform in the 80's...

[Mike Abberton]

A Red Storm Rising run through would be good.

For the lack of scenarios, I was thinking specifically a lack of scenarios for the new playable platforms. There are a ton available, but you're mostly limited to quick missions for those. That being said, I still love the RA mod (and LWAMI).

Mike

[FPSchazly]

I'm glad to hear you like my videos!

I would totally appreciate vids like this! I've been waiting since just about when I started for someone else to do voice-over commentary for Dangerous Waters videos. I think it will ultimately result in better videos for the community.

You should definitely do the RSR RA campaign, that would be sweet. I would recommend doing several practice missions first so that you can get comfortable with commentary. It takes a while to get pretty good at it and you only get better by practicing.

When I first saw 'review video', I'm thinking of like a video game review video, as in a summary video with lots of different cuts and a commentary track that's put over an edited highlights video. That would be a lot of work. I've never undertaken something quite like that, but similar, and it takes a lot of time to get all the footage you need and piece it together. That's not to say it can't be done, but you should also get a good bit of editing experience under your belt first. I'm going to give the same recommendation for practicing with some practice missions for both commentary and editing.

Let me know if there's more you want to know about this. I do minimal editing to my naval videos because I want people to see my thought process but there's still a lot going on behind the scenes to get my videos uploaded and published to YouTube.

[freijon]

Okay, RSR RA Campaign it'll be then. However, the campaign uses the same controllable platforms as the original campaign. There won't be much differences in terms of new stations, weapons, etc. I'll cover the other platforms with missions that come with the RA mod or do quick-missions.
Yeah I guess the title is a bit misleading. I'm not going to review RA but rather show the differences to the stock version. But with a personal opinion.

[Mike Abberton]

Do anyone know if any of the Red Storm Rising missions have been re-written anywhere to make use of the non-playable platforms additions to RA?

It would be nice to see more Foxtrots, Tangos, etc. in the missions like in the Book, rather than all Victors and Akulas.

[FPSchazly]

Okay, RSR RA Campaign it'll be then. However, the campaign uses the same controllable platforms as the original campaign. There won't be much differences in terms of new stations, weapons, etc. I'll cover the other platforms with missions that come with the RA mod or do quick-missions.
Yeah I guess the title is a bit misleading. I'm not going to review RA but rather show the differences to the stock version. But with a personal opinion.

That's true, it does use the same platforms. I don't know if you saw my RSR playthrough, but I had trouble enough with the stock game. From everything I've heard, RA is a lot more difficult, so it's probably going to be a very tough playthrough haha.

I actually am planning on starting up some RA videos soon. I'll probably just do plain RA at first and then I might mix it with LWAMI, I think I've seen somewhere that it's possible to do that.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested in learning my video-creating workflow. If others are interested in the video-creating workflow, I could add that to my already backlogged tutorial queue haha

[FPSchazly]

Do anyone know if any of the Red Storm Rising missions have been re-written anywhere to make use of the non-playable platforms additions to RA?

It would be nice to see more Foxtrots, Tangos, etc. in the missions like in the Book, rather than all Victors and Akulas.

I was just thinking of doing this. I've really been wanting to get my feet wet with mission editing and I've thought of this and some other things that I'd like to do. It would be fun to make the campaign more relevant to its era.

[freijon]

I recorded the first mission of the RSR campaign: Calm Before the Storm. You can find the playlist here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyy_jpDN4ok&index=1&list=PL9FlGzPl_TFpkJ1BDBXEn1IJjFIYQEUoQ

The first mission doesn't have a lot of action, so be prepared to hear a lot of blabbering without a lot happening ;-)
If you like it I'll continue with the following missions. Please let me know your honest opinion, I'd be happy to try to incorporate your feedback into future videos.


Shoot me a PM if you're interested in learning my video-creating workflow. If others are interested in the video-creating workflow, I could add that to my already backlogged tutorial queue haha

Thanks for your offer. Actually I just sent you a PM on Youtube regarding just that. I'd be happy if you could share some of your experience.

[Hawk66]

Nice videos :)

Maybe you could explain more stuff in the beginning (for instance what DW is all about and more details about the RA mod (bug fixes, AI improvements and so forth)

[freijon]

Nice videos :)

Maybe you could explain more stuff in the beginning (for instance what DW is all about and more details about the RA mod (bug fixes, AI improvements and so forth)

Thanks for your feedback.
A small DW introduction would have been nice. Maybe I'll do that in my second mission. Regarding the bug fixes and AI improvements: I figured I'll explain this when you can actually see it in the video. I hope there will be enough occasions where I can demonstrate these kinds of things.

[ghostdog688]

I've been following your lets play so far and it's really good work so far!
I also would like to start playing the campaign, and have been trying to organise a multiplayer session. I'd really like all the big guys on YouTube who play DW to play a mission and then we can sync up the footage and watch everyone's perspective. If you all wish to this, I'd love to organise such a session. I'm sure it would pull quite a few DW players out of the woodwork and really show sonalysts the value in updating/supporting this game for us!

[freijon]

I also would like to start playing the campaign, and have been trying to organise a multiplayer session. I'd really like all the big guys on YouTube who play DW to play a mission and then we can sync up the footage and watch everyone's perspective. If you all wish to this, I'd love to organise such a session. I'm sure it would pull quite a few DW players out of the woodwork and really show sonalysts the value in updating/supporting this game for us!

I would love that! If anyone is up for that I would be happy to join!

[ghostdog688]

I've added you through steam. contact me and we will find a time to organise a mulitplayer session!

[BattleRabbit]

I've been following your lets play so far and it's really good work so far!
I also would like to start playing the campaign, and have been trying to organise a multiplayer session. I'd really like all the big guys on YouTube who play DW to play a mission and then we can sync up the footage and watch everyone's perspective. If you all wish to this, I'd love to organise such a session. I'm sure it would pull quite a few DW players out of the woodwork and really show sonalysts the value in updating/supporting this game for us!

Funny seeing you here :yeah:.
It was my first multiplayer session in a long time and I had a lot of fun, still can't believe that the stupid torpedo got me.

I recorded the session and will uploaded it to YouTube.

EDIT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSntH9r68LM

[ikalugin]

Well if you ever need an over agressive Soviet SSN/SSGN driver to do some ASuW work, call me :)

[Wolfcat]

A review on RA would be really great since there aren't many videos out there. Here are a few of my comments based my experience with the mod.

Something I don't really like about the mod
1. Rip off speed for Towed Array on subs is too low. Even FFG can drag TA at 29kts without issue, sub TAs can only sustain 24kts. Given TA takes about several minutes to fully reel in, by the time you increase to flank, the attacking the enemy torp is well on its way to find you. I like 30kts as portraited by some other mod out there (I forgot the name of it).

2. Spherical array is less useful than LWAMI. Practically useless in ASW fights.

3. Spherical array less accurate. Sometimes a contact bearing jumps around even though the target didn't do anything. I can understand when this happens to a TA, but not spherical

Those are just my 2 cents. You can see for yourself.

Otherwise the mod is great. I really liked it.

[Polak2]

Post removed.

[FPSchazly]

Possibly some problem with RA's 688 LA Active Sonar Intercept screen and operation. Or, I should better consult the manual to operate it? Anyone care to take a look to confirm or deny? Thanks.

You'd probably have more luck making a new thread. This post isn't relevant to this thread.

[freijon]

I'm sorry that there are no more videos at the moment. My laptop keeps freezing when playing games. Seems to be a GPU issue. I just ordered a new one and hopefully I'll be able to continue the series with the new computer.

[Aktungbby]

ghostdog688! :Kaleun_Salute: Well named U slipped past (almost :smug:) the welcome committee! Forgive our oversight!

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim ghostdog688 :sunny: