UBOOT: The Board Game

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hello everyone,

I represent a young game dev studio that is working on the board game rendition of ‘UBOOT’ by Deep Water Studio. The vision behind UBOOT: The Board Game is to take the realistic feel of PC subsim games and seamlessly merge it with the fun aspect of boardgaming to create the first ever cooperative tabletop submarine simulator. Yes, a subsim that you could play together with your friends over beer and pretzels ;) Certainly not as realistic as the most prominent PC representatives of the genre, yet definitely faithful enough to be called a simulator.

What we are aiming at is blending the best of both worlds, and putting it into one, hopefully awesome package. With emphasis on player-to-player communication, chain of command, crew management, and hidden information regarding the outside world, we are trying to make the experience as close to the real thing as possible (e.g. contacts have to be tracked via the companion app, and then marked on the paper map by the navigator using a dry erase marker).

One of our goals is to make players talk to one another as much as possible, passing information and orders, while constantly working under the pressure of time. There is much more I could write at this point, but I don't want to attack you with a wall of text from the outset ;) With that in mind, I'm gonna end it right here and let you have a look at some of our stuff.

Here is our early components prototype:

https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3441183_lg.jpg

Please bear in mind, that my intention is not to promote the game as much as it is to reach out to the community of enthusiasts in the field of submarine simulation in order to lend an ear to their feedback and expertise (provided that they are willing to share it ;) ). Therefore, if you are curious of how we want to achieve the above mentioned goals, then please visit our website for a full game description, as well as the first instalment of our designer diaries:

http://uboottheboardgame.com/

Last, but not least, here is our silly-ass teaser-trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYLwcBWjt7w

Right, I guess that's all for now. Thank you very much for your interest and I'd be thrilled if we could sail into the uncharted waters together! :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Onkel Neal]

Looks really good. My daughter and friends play board game, I look forward to bringing this to a game night.

Can you describe the "companion app" in a little more detail? I am interested in the mechanics of your game.

[Hawk66]

Hi Artur,

from a component perspective this looks really awesome ! If the game is full cooperative, can it played also solo like the recent u-boat games from GMT ?

[Pilot_76]

I'd like solo-play rules as well.:salute:

[Artur Salwarowski]

Yes, the game will definitely feature a solo mode! :Kaleun_Cheers:
@Onkel Neal:
Have you had the chance to look at the Designer Diary on our website? It tells a little bit more about the app. In short, the mobile app is going to be something like 'Silent Hunter Lite', yet presented in a format that keeps a lot of the information secret, unless players make an effort to reveal it. Like, for instance, when the weather is bad for a few days in a row and you can't use the sextant to determine your position, then you will have to rely on where the navigator BELIEVES the U-boat actually is. Without using the sextant, you can only calculate based on your course, speed, and the passage of time. Of course, once you use it, then you will be able to say approximately where you are, but it is not that you will see the boat's position on the map at all times ;) Simply because... there is no map in the app - the navigator has to determine and draw the course on the paper map ;)

And there are tons of such things in the game - we are really thinking outside the box with this one. Have I mentioned that you will have to tamper with the Enigma to decipher messages, and also engage in a guitar hero-style rhythmic game to send messages using the Morse Code?
And that is still the tip of the iceberg :Kaleun_Wink:

[Pilot_76]

:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah::Kaleun_Cheers::Kale un_Cheers::Kaleun_Cheers::yeah::yeah::salute::salu te:

[perdu]

:up: this is something i will have to keep an eye on :)

[Quasimodo]

This looks terrific! I'll be following this for sure!

[harag]

Really like the look of the board game, though I don't play them much these days (never enough time) I'm going to support the kickstarter when I see it (so be sure to post here when you start it) and back it, love the idea and if it can be played solo, all the better!

I also supported the main game on kickstarted!

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hello everyone,

A few close-ups of the pieces:
http://playway.com/images/1mid_banner/uboot_figurki_1.jpg

http://playway.com/images/1mid_banner/uboot_figurki_2.jpg
Sailor models courtesy of Panzer vs Tanks. Used with permission. For more information please visit shapeways.com/shops/panzervstanks

Hope you like them! And one more thing: I am sure you have noticed that the 88mm is the land version. The reason is that we had very tight deadlines for putting it all together. However, we will be upgrading to the 'proper' one as soon as we obtain the model. We also intend to have more deck guns in the final version, including the Flakvierling, and the dual 20mm guns :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[fullmetaledges]

I'm not a huge board game fan (I've only ever played the family ones as a kid), but this one looks awesome. I am eagerly anticipating the PC and now board game version as well.

[Kessner]

I would buy this game so it could be mine!!!:yeah:

[cherbert]

My concern would be if support stopped for the companion app. Can somekind of single player AI be added so that the App survives long after servers shut down. Or will the board game at least be playable with the companion app?

[Artur Salwarowski]

Dear Cherbert,

This question has been asked before, and this is the answer:

Although we represent a young company, then again we are a subsidiary of a highly successful and well-established business entity in the field of computer games. It is, as you are well aware, the same company that is responsible fot the UBOOT PC game, and it is a parent company to more than 40 (!) game dev subsidiaries. It is listed on the stock market, it is making deals with such entities as Discovery Channel, Mazda, Dodge, etc., and it continues to grow (and quite rapidly at that, if you ask me).

Their strategy is to seek out creative talent, and then provide it with all the tools and resources that they need to make new and exciting products. One of their newest areas of interest is board games, and we have been invited to join the party.

In summary, when we presented our signed papers at the bank, the reaction was: 'Well, gentlemen! You've got some pretty powerful people on your side!'

The bottom line being: Playway isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Hope that answers your question https://cf.geekdo-static.com/images/wink.gif
http://www.playway.com/

Oh, and the app is fully integrated with the game, so there is no way you can play the board game without it (I guess you could fool around with the app on its own, but then it's gonna be totally lacking in the crew management department (which is going to be a major component of the game as such). All in all, it is probable that after some time on the market there will be an option to release the source code for modding, etc. We are also taking that opportunity into consideration so as to extend product life further and allow prospective fans to play around with the content. In general, time will tell :)

[cherbert]

Dear Cherbert,

This question has been asked before, and this is the answer:

Although we represent a young company, then again we are a subsidiary of a highly successful and well-established business entity in the field of computer games. It is, as you are well aware, the same company that is responsible fot the UBOOT PC game, and it is a parent company to more than 40 (!) game dev subsidiaries. It is listed on the stock market, it is making deals with such entities as Discovery Channel, Mazda, Dodge, etc., and it continues to grow (and quite rapidly at that, if you ask me).

Their strategy is to seek out creative talent, and then provide it with all the tools and resources that they need to make new and exciting products. One of their newest areas of interest is board games, and we have been invited to join the party.

In summary, when we presented our signed papers at the bank, the reaction was: 'Well, gentlemen! You've got some pretty powerful people on your side!'

The bottom line being: Playway isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Hope that answers your question https://cf.geekdo-static.com/images/wink.gif
http://www.playway.com/

Oh, and the app is fully integrated with the game, so there is no way you can play the board game without it (I guess you could fool around with the app on its own, but then it's gonna be totally lacking in the crew management department (which is going to be a major component of the game as such). All in all, it is probable that after some time on the market there will be an option to release the source code for modding, etc. We are also taking that opportunity into consideration so as to extend product life further and allow prospective fans to play around with the content. In general, time will tell :)


That's good to hear. I look forward to seeing the Kickstarter soon and thank you for taking the time to reply.

[wamphyri]

Looks promising and fun. Now the criteria of fun is if my wife will enjoy playing it with me. hope it works out :)

[Aktungbby]

:O: Now the criteria of fun is if my wife will enjoy playing it with me.

wamphyri!:Kaleun_Salute: after a bit of a silent run. :O: A little help for ya: https://www.nerdmuch.com/toys/5430/top-best-board-games-for-couples-2-player-people-two/ (https://www.nerdmuch.com/toys/5430/top-best-board-games-for-couples-2-player-people-two/) & https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/20091/no-its-your-wife-or-girlfriend-who-doesnt-these-ki (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/20091/no-its-your-wife-or-girlfriend-who-doesnt-these-ki) MY wife kicks my butt at Risk and Monopoly but won't play Gettysburg or Fury in the West:wah:

[Artur Salwarowski]

Well, my wife used to kick my butt in Tide of Iron, although she has never been a WW2 fan ;) What is interesting, however, is that ladies generally enjoy co-op games, don't they? Maybe this will prove to be the factor that could encourage them to give it a try :up:

[Artur Salwarowski]

New stuff to read on our website! Please check http://uboottheboardgame.com/ for the second instalment of our designer diaries - hope you like it!

There is also box art on the home page in case you haven't seen it yet ;)

Hope you guys have a good weekend!

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi!

I got some juicy morsels for ya! We have received 3d printed models of our U-boat's crew, hope you like them! BTW, the base shapes are for easy identification, crew hierarchy (officer - pentagon, petty officer - square, etc.), and some other things that I will tell you about in due time ;)

Please let me know your thoughts and we will be releasing more info on gamepay soon.

And here we go:

The Chief Engineer's crew:
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3503690_lg.png

The Captain's crew:
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3503692_lg.png

The First Officer's crew:
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3503693_lg.png

The Navigator's crew:
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3503691_lg.png

[Hauptmann501]

I'd been a hard-core wargame player (SL/ASL, PanzerBlitz, 3rd Reich, Submarine, etc.) until my lovely "C-in-C" decided otherwise and put some SOPs in place :O:

That was a long time ago... I thought the genre was definitely dead. You seem to have a great concept!

Players "simultaneous" play/communication approach is quite interesting indeed compared to the standard "turn-based" one. You definitely catch my attention. If this concept is capable of generating the same intensity I saw during negotiation phase in Diplomacy game. Indeed that will be quite fun!

Keep on the good work!

Hauptmann

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi,

We're glad that you like the idea behind the game! We are aiming at creating 'controlled chaos', where the crew really has to cooperate efficiently under the pressure of time in order to survive and complete the mission.

In other news, we will be presenting UBOOT:TBG at UK Game Expo between the 2nd and the 5th of June. Hope to see you there!

[Aktungbby]

Hauptmann501!:Kaleun_Salute: after a six year silent run!

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hello everyone!

We are continuing our effort to bring you the first-ever tabletop subsim! Here's just a glimpse of how the project is coming along on the audio side:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoFpAK3w6yM&feature=youtu.be

On top of that, don't forget to visit us at the UK Game EXPO in Birmingham next week!

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hello everyone,

We are very excited to let you know that after ten hours of playtesting UBOOT: TBG at UK Game Expo we got tons of positive feedback, including the first hands-on preview by an ex-military naval warfare expert!

Please check out Cdr Jameson's impressions of the game here:

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1790540/proto-type-play-test-uk-games-expo

[JgzMan]

Well, I kickstarted the UBOOT game for the computer. When does this come to Kickstarter?

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi,

Our Kickstarter will be launching right after Essen Spiel, so early November.

In the meantime, we have uploaded the 3rd designer diary to our website! Please have a look if you're curious about how navigation works:

www.uboottheboardgame.com

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi guys, glad to be resurfacing after a long silent run! :Kaleun_Salute: We have been very busy refining our game and I will soon have a few gameplay videos for you!

But for now, just a quick recap from our latest mission - three brave crews embarked to sink allied shipping within Operation 'Sturmwind'.

AAR:

Location: 'Ludiversum' gaming pub, Katowice, Poland
Time: 16.09.2017
Duration: 6 hours (2h per crew)
Successes: 18 000 of allied GRT sunk.
Losses: one U-boat sunk by depth charges (all hands lost).
Crew satisfaction: high :)

Note to commanding officer: a total of two female personnel took part in the operation (one Navigator, one First Officer). Inquiry regarding game satisfaction met with surprisingly positive feedback! Case referred to U-boat headquarters for further investigation...

https://i.imgur.com/C0ic2az.jpg
https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21743139_1987508014853810_3850720787848366035_n.jp g?oh=306b766adff45aa6d595c04c334392c3&oe=5A4CC8AE
https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21557618_1673424562676087_4680751660768589678_n.jp g?oh=fcd15d3e1612cbbb791c2f708930b8fa&oe=5A4D33F5
https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21743342_1987507784853833_5917374902046870236_n.jp g?oh=5780abfba17490f76b9c9e56ed2b2e0b&oe=5A40676B
https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21751977_1673425106009366_262493509051134898_n.jpg ?oh=e105c227f21ede34a76d6839c9019f3d&oe=5A133CB1
https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21743342_1987507784853833_5917374902046870236_n.jp g?oh=5780abfba17490f76b9c9e56ed2b2e0b&oe=5A40676B

After the mission, one of the participating VIICs was apparently photographed by an allied spy during the refit and resupply process...

https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3745992_lg.jpg
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3745998_lg.jpg
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3745996_lg.jpg
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3745999_lg.jpg
https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3746000_lg.jpg

Hope you like it! Gameplay videos coming soon!

[Hawk66]

If the gameplay is as good as your design, count me as a potential buyer :)

Looking forward to your gameplay videos...

[Artur Salwarowski]

It may be hard to believe, but Gameplay is even better ;)

[Hawk66]

:)

Just being curious: Do you guys do this full time ? It seems, you put a lot of work into the game ^^

[Artur Salwarowski]

Yes, we have the privilege of being full-time game designers :Kaleun_Cheers: What started as a hobby is now our daytime job. This is not to say, though, that it was easy to get here or that we are taking it lightly - far from it! :03:

Anyway, we are giving this project our all, and hopefully the game will appeal both to subsim enthusiasts and board gamers alike :)

[Xall]

This looks very interesting and promissing, I'm definately curious!
I'd love to see some gameplay footage of how this game is played when its ready.

Keep up the good work!:salute:

[Artur Salwarowski]

Thanks a lot, we're glad that you like it so far!

And here is our first video in an upcoming series of tutorials:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWEwE9YTMy8

Please let us know what you think of it :Kaleun_Salute:

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi Everybody! :)

Seems a little empty in here, but I'm gonna let you know anyway ;)

We have been to Essen recently, and the reactions to the game were very positive. Here are some photos:

https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3822092_lg.jpg

https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3809465_lg.jpg

https://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic3806756_lg.jpg

https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22852160_2010368525901092_2187912714240677821_n.jp g?oh=d4b119d8d69f2ac34987838dc4412d67&oe=5A9D836C

https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22788965_2010368512567760_310824861002595060_n.jpg ?oh=8598cc08acb3a558d5217c1232ecd279&oe=5A9D5233

https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22780421_2010368582567753_7885564077898078394_n.jp g?oh=493a8ccb24a3f2991f2d41a35ca92a97&oe=5AA78193

And here is our Captain's rules overview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZJpnWLzVQ0&feature=youtu.be

[Hawk66]

looking forward :)

when do you think can you share a draft rule book ?

[Mariner1]

My son went this year, but I didn't. The board game looks very attractive, will seriously consider buying one. Also appreciate the video tutorial...:)

[Artur Salwarowski]

The rulebook is now undergoing proofreading and final touches before the game is sent to reviewers. Once it is polished enough to share it publicly, we will post it on Boardgamegeek for everyone to read.

In general, do you think it could appeal to subsim fans? After all, it's the first ever tabletop subsim that you can play with your friends! And you really have to communicate and work together, including some strong role-playing aspects!

I will be posting stuff as it comes along, and hopefully there will be some more feedback from the Subsim community. After all, we are also doing this game for you - spreading the love for submarine simulation into a new medium! Isn't that exciting? :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Artur Salwarowski]

The Navigator's video :) Has the attack disk and all... Seems like THE subsim board game to me! ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIG5aUQk4v8

[badtouch77]

https://youtu.be/FxvmGW53jIw

https://youtu.be/uyP9zRl_PMM

[Artur Salwarowski]

Thanks for posting these, I was about to do that myself :) Anyhow, I've got an important announcement to make:

https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/26026170_2049216122016332_7251081838484417123_o.pn g?oh=7c1b2e3a1b38cca12532ec19be979733&oe=5AC58B4A

In the meantime, UBOOT: The Board Game has climbed to number two of Boardgamegeek hotness list and a lot of eyes in the boardgaming world are now set upon its upcoming campaign!

Hopefully, there will be enthusiasts in the subsim community to lend us a hand in refining all of this game's numerous intricacies so that it faithfully represents WW2 submarine warfare experience :Kaleun_Cheers:

[Hawk66]

wish you guys much success !

BTW: will the rulebook (draft) be available when the project is on kickstarter ?

[badtouch77]

Hi Artur,

i have two questions about the game. First, why didn´t you use a native german speaker for your companion app? If you can´t hear it, he is probably a dutchman.
Second, do you plan different language versions of the game? So that the Kickstarter-Backer has the choice between them?

Thanks for answers and your great work.

Regards

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi there,

We got the best possible value for money from a friend's friend, and the voice is actually a native German speaker (a person of Polish origin who was raised in Germany, and later came to Poland).

If the campaign goes well, then we will probably hire a proffessional German voice actor, don't worry :up:

And yes, we are planning various language versions (English and Polish will be there for sure, French and Spanish are highly probable, and we don't know about the German version yet). Others are less probable.

Last, but not least, the rulebook will be available as soon as the campaign starts (or even before it).

Other than that, we've got the first reviews / unboxing, and our campaign preview is up!!!

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

LAUNCH: 22 January 2018
END: 14 February 2018

The preview page:
http://kck.st/2Ahv2tv

A few first reactions from reviewers:

Text review by Tycjan from the Polish blog 'Znad Planszy' (eng. 'From Above the Board'):
https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1911917/first-contact-u... (https://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1911917/first-contact-uboot-board-game)

Unboxing by Chief from Bonding with Boardgames:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFJbrLQnQSA

[Lasstmichdurch]

I´m looking forward to the KS-campaign! I wish you and us a big success!:up:

[Artur Salwarowski]

Thanks!

Too bad there aren't too many board gamers around here ;) Or are there? :Kaleun_Wink:

Anyhow, take a look at this video of people playing the game at Essen Spiel (the most prestigious board game fair in the world).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-WiM451fZI

[ExFishermanBob]

While reading the review - https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1790540/proto-type-play-test-uk-games-expo - it struck me that a multi-game might be possible: that is, multiple teams linked into the same app-session (say) to form a wolfpack.

Have the devs had any thoughts about that?

[Artur Salwarowski]

Of course! Different multiplayer options have been on the table since day one of the project.

There are already plans for:

1) hunting together with other U-boats, either AI or (if the campaign support permits) other teams in co-op via local or network multiplayer.

2) an online MMO campaign with player results being uploaded to a server to reflect the overall U-bootwaffe effort to sink Allied GRT.

3) a sister game depicting the fight from the perspective of a destroyer, complete with a campaign mode, technological upgrades, etc.

4) clashing the two games together in a table-vs-table network PvP duel.

[Artur Salwarowski]

A very solid preview for UBOOT, explaining a lot of its features and gamplay mechanics!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfVrD40mLyE

[JuanLiquid]

Will it be distributed in Spain?

[Solid_Stalker]

Wow, this looks cool!

[Bonfleck]

:roll:.......:Kaleun_Sleep:

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi there!

There are big chances for a Spanish, as well as German, or even Russian and Italian versions.

Please follow us on FB or Twitter, or subscribe at uboottheboardgame.com to receive a notification when the campaign starts :)

[Artur Salwarowski]

We have a full playthrough recorded with Beasts of War! Yay! :Kaleun_Cheers:

Campaign only two days from now!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH0AlvZBDRU

[badtouch77]

Looks great. Maybe a bit unbalanced espacially in stressful situations. So at the moment the destroyer attacked you, everybody seemed confused because of doing 3 tasks at once (take morale cards, tokens, etc.). Did you think about or even tested a pause button??

[Murph89]

Glad Beasts of War posted a play through. Love their videos! The guys did seem confused once the depth charges started dropping.

[Artur Salwarowski]

Everybody is the first time ;)

Meanwhile, check out the trailer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlNB3UwF8Jw

[badtouch77]

Campaign is now online.

[raymond6751]

Of course! Different multiplayer options have been on the table since day one of the project.

There are already plans for:

1) hunting together with other U-boats, either AI or (if the campaign support permits) other teams in co-op via local or network multiplayer.

2) an online MMO campaign with player results being uploaded to a server to reflect the overall U-bootwaffe effort to sink Allied GRT.

3) a sister game depicting the fight from the perspective of a destroyer, complete with a campaign mode, technological upgrades, etc.

4) clashing the two games together in a table-vs-table network PvP duel.

All but the last item would be a dream come true. Table vs table concept would only be to compare score of two sub teams -- not sub vs sub in combat. (I hope) In order of preference, I'd say 3, 1, 2, 4

Just pledged my support. Come on Subsim -- this is our kind of game!!!
:Kaleun_Applaud:

[Lasstmichdurch]

I´m in as Nr. 560...:)
Funded within an hour and now all stretch goals reached in less than 20 hours...:up:

[harag]

Well, Congratulations on the Kickstarter, day one and already 5 times the money! I backed this, however I don't think I'll ever play it as I don't really play board games anymore. How does the SOLO option work ? Anyway just wanted to support this!

One quick question though, the Map and the captains log sheets etc, will these be available on PDF or something so we can reprint them? If not it might be be an idea to supply some clear sheet users can put over top to write on/wipe off.

Looking forward to getting the game, as well as the PC version of this which I backed nearly 2 years ago!

Woot! - Again Congratulations!

[badtouch77]

For the Solo-Mode you can watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdAfM80U8Kw
I guess it would be polished till release cause it looks very stressful for one person.

The charts and stuff will be available as pdf download, they said in the kickstarter comment section.

[Artur Salwarowski]

Thank you very much for your support, guys! :) We are really doing this game for submarine enthusiats :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

Do you think there is any other way we could spread the word around here? It seems to me that there could be a lot of peopl interested in the game here, but they don't even know about its existence ;)

[badtouch77]

Maybe you could ask Admins for getting a ad-banner on the top left? As now "Wolfpack" has.

[reaper7]

Came back to subsim after pledging for the board game recently to find this thread (Pledged as John Greaney).
Looking forward to the day this arrives on my doorstep, use of the app for the first officer to connect the board game to the AI components is a brilliant crossover from a simulation point.

Can't wait for the App to develop further with weather, TDC, sextant functionally etc.

[Wilhelm Schroeder]

I did the same thing reaper7. This game looks incredible and I hope it is wildly successful!

The Ad banner is a great idea. How about it Artur?

[Artur Salwarowski]

Yes, I think so too - I will ask what we could do about it :)

[Wilhelm Schroeder]

Ad banner looks great! Less than one week to go!

[Artur Salwarowski]

Do you like it? I think it's a pity our publisher didn't choose anything showing the app :/ It definitely has more familiarity for subsim enthusiasts than a bunch of physical bits, but maybe I'm wrong? After all, I'm no marketing expert ;)

[badtouch77]

Looks good guys. Good luck for the final days. Looking forward to Essen! :Kaleun_Applaud:

[Wilhelm Schroeder]

Do you like it? I think it's a pity our publisher didn't choose anything showing the app :/ It definitely has more familiarity for subsim enthusiasts than a bunch of physical bits, but maybe I'm wrong? After all, I'm no marketing expert ;)

I do like it. I like that the attack disk and navigation chart is shown. I do like seeing the sub as well. I think it’s a good choice, the app is great but still a prototype. The current state graphics might not impress Subsim regulars. (The graphics will of course be excellent once complete).

I’m no marketing expert either ;)

Edit: oh I see the companion app isn’t mentioned at all. That is an unfortunate omission. :(

Only a few days left!

[Wilhelm Schroeder]

Solo gameplay video:

https://youtu.be/Hyfy6suCvkw

Less than two days to go in the Kickstarter campaign.

Looks amazing!

The final version will have real time 1:1 as the lowest time compression setting. Correct Artur? As well as a pause button.

[badtouch77]

Great job guys. Was a very well done campaign with a great communication to your fans. Looking forward to the final and hopefully well polished product. Take your time, subsimmers are patient.
Btw, do you have a german publisher yet or will you translate the game by your own/ with the community?

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hi there! :)

Thank you, we are very happy with how the capmaign went :) As for a German publisher, then talks are still being held, but even if nobody is interested in publishing it in Germany (which I highly doubt), then Phalanx intends to publish a German edition regardless :)

[subSimJnr]

:O:

wamphyri!:Kaleun_Salute: after a bit of a silent run. :O: A little help for ya: https://www.nerdmuch.com/toys/5430/top-best-board-games-for-couples-2-player-people-two/ (https://www.nerdmuch.com/toys/5430/top-best-board-games-for-couples-2-player-people-two/) & https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/20091/no-its-your-wife-or-girlfriend-who-doesnt-these-ki (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/20091/no-its-your-wife-or-girlfriend-who-doesnt-these-ki) MY wife kicks my butt at Risk and Monopoly but won't play Gettysburg or Fury in the West:wah:

Second that, also https://boardgamesland.com/best-2-player-board-games/ would be helpful :)

[subSimJnr]

Thank you very much for your support, guys! :) We are really doing this game for submarine enthusiats :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

Do you think there is any other way we could spread the word around here? It seems to me that there could be a lot of peopl interested in the game here, but they don't even know about its existence ;)

Looks great, really - congratulations! I know the Kickstarter campaign is long finished now, but do you do some side orders perhaps? :)

[bstanko6]

I'm trying to get this game here in the states. But they are telling me it's not out until mid May or June? Is that true? Can I get it earlier?

[Pilot_76]

I'm trying to get this game here in the states. But they are telling me it's not out until mid May or June? Is that true? Can I get it earlier?



Amazon says June 28th I guess. The date might not be right but the month is. Gotta wait


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bstanko6]

I don’t wanna wait!

[Pilot_76]

I don’t wanna wait!



Btw awesome videos of yours. Just subscribed to your channel. [emoji106][emoji106].


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bstanko6]

Oh thanks. Hope the videos help!

[reaper7]

Currently the Kickstarter board games are being shipped to backers, with retailer editions going on sale a month after this.
So should be mid June, if you wish to get a copy earlier you can buy one from Europe of someone selling there copy.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/219100/uboot-board-game/marketplace/geekmarket

[Jeffg]

I saw the game on Amazon tonight. $99.00 and the app is in the APP store
I would get it but no money this month

JeffG

[atleiker]

I was a kickstarter backer, live in the United States and I got my copy last week. Have put about 15 hours into it.

It is not a subsim in board game form. It's a crew/resource management game. I'm an avid SH3/GWX player so I come from that perspective.

Feel free to ask me any specific questions you have about its mechanics. I've enjoyed my time with the game so far, but it does have its pros and cons.

[Steiner108]

I was a kickstarter backer, live in the United States and I got my copy last week. Have put about 15 hours into it.

It is not a subsim in board game form. It's a crew/resource management game. I'm an avid SH3/GWX player so I come from that perspective.

Feel free to ask me any specific questions you have about its mechanics. I've enjoyed my time with the game so far, but it does have its pros and cons.

Hello there
I am also a SH3 fan and I would like to ask you.
Is it worth getting? I find the U-boat game too focused in crew management which I always switch off in SH3

[bstanko6]

I preordered it so hopefully it will come soon!

[Onkel Neal]

Currently the Kickstarter board games are being shipped to backers, with retailer editions going on sale a month after this.
So should be mid June, if you wish to get a copy earlier you can buy one from Europe of someone selling there copy.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/219100/uboot-board-game/marketplace/geekmarket

I still can't get mine, they told me I needed to pay for shipping but they have not replied where to send the money. Does anyone know how to pay for the shipping, thanks

[atleiker]

Hello there
I am also a SH3 fan and I would like to ask you.
Is it worth getting? I find the U-boat game too focused in crew management which I always switch off in SH3

If you disliked crew management in SH3 the you may not like U-Boot the boardgame.

Crew management is the very heart of the game. I would say 80% of the time you are planning how to execute your mission. 10% of the time you are moving mini's around on the boat and updating the order track, morale, track, and the activations tracks for the individual crewmen. 10% of the time you are stalking a target and then firing on it or evading escorts and dealing depth charge attacks.

Of the orders and activations at least half of what you are doing on any watch is routine maintenance and/or repairs on the boat. Things like diesel check up. Electrical check up. Periscope adjustment. Torpedo tube check up. Your engineering crew eats up activations fast.

The board game version is really a logistical simulator and the resource you are managing are orders and activations. The rest of what happens are just events that interfere with your plans.

[Onkel Neal]

I was a kickstarter backer, live in the United States and I got my copy last week. Have put about 15 hours into it.

It is not a subsim in board game form. It's a crew/resource management game. I'm an avid SH3/GWX player so I come from that perspective.

Feel free to ask me any specific questions you have about its mechanics. I've enjoyed my time with the game so far, but it does have its pros and cons.

Question: how much was your shipping? I was a backer since Feb 2018 and they say they will not send my game until I pay shipping. Except they won't tell me how to pay shipping or how much it will be. I have sent my address three times already.

Hello Subsim,

I've chcecked your account on BackerKit. You don't pay for shipping costs and you didn't enter your address.That's why you don't have your game.

--
Best Regards,

Agata Jurczyszyn


That's why I don't have my game, she says. Not helpful. :hmmm:

[atleiker]

I paid 17 pounds sterling in June of last year. I don't remember if it was a separate charge after the kickstarter or was all at the same time. It was all handled in the backer kit of the pledge manager though. Did you ever get an email survey from the backer kit?

https://uboot-the-board-game.backerkit.com

In that survey you should be able to enter your shipping address and i assume pay for the shipping

[bstanko6]

@atleiker...

Is the game as easy as watching the videos? Or is it more complex? Mine comes tomorrow and I’m like a 39 year old kid waiting for Christmas!

[atleiker]

@atleiker...

Is the game as easy as watching the videos? Or is it more complex? Mine comes tomorrow and I’m like a 39 year old kid waiting for Christmas!

To which videos are you referring? Do you play many boardgames? And if so are they wargames?

I don't find U-boat to be very complex rules-wise compared to board wargames. It's probably about average for a Eurogame. There have been rule updates to the game that are reflected in the app, but not in the rule book so go by the app for any discrepancies between the two.

Or do you mean complex as in there is a lot going on? If you are going to play solo, taking on all four officer roles, then you will be busy at every watch change getting your sailors into new positions, but after you get used to that it's mostly frantic action at the watch change, running at real time until you have your plan in place, then fast forwarding to a contact or a mechanical breakdown and dealing with that in real time. Then if you get located and have to deal with a depth charge attack things can get very nasty. The only time I felt overwhelmed in the game was dealing with damage and a hull breach, but there is a pause button if you need it. And after the first mission and pausing to get my bearings during damage control I haven't needed to pause since. That being said, doing the jigsaw puzzle to seal a breach hull is the stupidest mechanic I have ever seen in a game. The biggest problem with it is that once you've done the puzzle once or twice it's not a challenge to ge the hull breach closed in the time allotted anymore. I'm going to abandon the puzzle and just roll a die to determine if the patch is successful in the future. If you can't tell, I hate the damn puzzle.

I don't think anything about playing the game is complex, but it is challenging to do well at hard difficulty if you play strictly by the official rules. If you house rule activations for hydrophone and periscope operators then the game becomes ridiculously easy.

I find that missions take me about 3 to 4 hours playing solo. There is no in-mission save so if you can't complete at one sitting you may lose your progress if you minimize the app in your device. Be forewarned.

I see a lot of people at BGG talk about struggling with the attack disk and hitting targets. I can't imagine it being hard for anyone with SH3 experience. I tried the attack disk for my first attack and then abandoned it. It just isn't necessary for anyone with experience manually plotting an attack in SH3. I can tell the approximate AOB by sight in the app and can easily get my bow to the +/- 30 degree bearing required for the automated TDC solution. In all honesty attacking and sinking targets isn't nearly the thrill as in the subsims because it is just too easy. But the damage control and keeping the boat and crew alive are much more exciting than in the subsims, IMO anyway. So it's weird in that way. I almost hope for a depth charge attack just so an exciting event happens and I generate a narrative around it.

It's a busy game solo. I see complaints online about certain roles being boring when playing multiplayer, but I don't have any multiplayer opportunities so I can't speak to that.

I realize this whole post is sort of rambling. I hope you have an idea about complexity now though.

[bstanko6]

Appreciate the response I meant complex in playing the game rule wise.

The videos make it seem easy.
You answered my question.

[Salvadoreno]

Just bought it! Can't wait! I have my uboat commander hat, my handbook, and my wooden plotting tools. I am ready to lead my unwilling and disinterested friends to tonnage glory!!!!

[bstanko6]

Got my copy yesterday, and I intend to study the rules today! Looks great!

[bstanko6]

Man! What a cool game!

I was playing the training mission, and sunk a ship via deck gun.

Had let a few repair items go by without fixing... big mistake! Literally, the toilet was in need of repair, I let it go, and it created a toxic gas! LOL!

Got sunk by destroyer hunting a convoy! I was running out of activation spots and abilities!

I was playing all 4 roles myself, and that requires a lot of attention.

I need a crew!

Great game if you ever intend to try it!

[Grahamers2002]

My dad was a navigator on subs for 20 years. I am a board game player.

I saw this board game come out and I thought it would be the perfect way for us to have some fun together. I was right. It is super fun. I use a projector to display the app on a big screen by the gaming table and we focus on the board and managing the crew with the table-top components. very nice blend of board game and simulation.

I started thinking about ways to pimp it out a bit and thought about an intercept vector calculator... one thing led to another and I discovered this forum and MoBo.

I downloaded MoBo and it is perfect!!

NOTE: I do have one question about MoBo, but I am not yet allow to post in that forum. Does anyone know where to get the best advice on my issue?

[Aktungbby]

Grahamers2002!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Salvadoreno]

Did anyone else have a hard time putting the Uboot 3D model together? It is very flimsy and cheap feeling. I was hoping it would all fit perfectly and stay sturdy but it may require me to constantly put the model together and it will wear on the material. Game looks great, but the boxing and storage was terrible.

[atleiker]

The front 1/3 of my U-boat is slightly warped and does not like to stay together and this is causing wear on the spot where the two parts come together at the upper deck.

The condition in which the product was shipped is a common complaint. No inserts and box contents strewn about the inside which for some has caused damage upon arrival. The box was supposedly designed to store the built u-boat in thirds along with all the other materials, but I've found this to be an unrealistic assumption on the designers' part so I've put mine on permanent display on a shelf.

I think this was the first foray into game design and kickstarting for these two and it shows in their lack of planning about storage and shipping as well as all of the rule changes that have occurred since initial release.

Still a compelling game, but one has to be able to deal with certain frustrations.

Personally, I think the app will be it's undoing and limit its longevity so I'm currently thinking about developing a variant that would do away with the app completely.

[bstanko6]

All the complaints ive read about this game are a little harsh.

I think the objective of any board game is to bring people together.

And this game delivers that.

Like all games, it is ok to variant the rules to your liking, but I've plated this game several times solo, and love it.

Got to get my group together and sink some ships!

[Salvadoreno]

Just played my first 2 person game and wow its difficult! I was only in training! After a long hunt i had to give up due to constant bad weather! I personally didn't mind but my other not so excited or interested friend was disappointed. I guess you have to be a true subsimmer to really enjoy this.

Which brings me to another point, anyone know of a meetup group for this game? I think i want to find other equally excited players and meet up with them! I really like the mechanics and sim style.

I am in Los Angeles.

[bstanko6]

@Salvadoreno

You are right, this game is for the true subsimmer!

I can see a person who isn’t into this being frustrated.

Some say it’s s crew management game, others a sub simulator.

My truest thought...
It’s a command/stress simulator!

Everything comes down to the captain. He has to manage stress while issuing “efficient” commands to his crew!

You cannot just throw commands all over the place. You have to strategize several steps ahead!

The other players manage the stress of leading their sailors under their command, and must efficiently follow the orders of the captain.

If the captain issues silly orders, and the crew mismanages their departments... things go to hell quickly!

I like that!

[bstanko6]

Got my guys together last night to play. Truly a fun board game!

Forces you to work together to solve issues that come at you!

Our captain, first time playing, was loosely giving out orders, and after the first attack on a merchant, he realized how morale affects the boat and crew... he was doing everything he could not to issue orders! LOL!

Good game!

[bstanko6]

Uboot can be played on steam. Just buy TABLETOP SIMULATOR, and its in the workshop section for free!

[bstanko6]

I would be interested in playing the board game with anyone on Tabletop Simulator. I placed the steam location under my comment. Just let me know.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/286160/Tabletop_Simulator/

[haloawsome]

This looks great.

[Aktungbby]

haloawsome!:Kaleun_Salute:

[THEBERBSTER]

A Warm Welcome To The Subsim Community > haloawsome
Subsim <> Make A Donation <> See The Benefits <> Support The Community (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2027002&postcount=1)
(http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2027002&postcount=1)

[Pilot_76]

Please consider the following:

App:
-Random Campaign
-Random mission assignments
-Random Areas to patrol
-A realistic Enigma decoding/encoding process (optional). One feature as well would be for the Enigma decoding process to take some time like 10'. We could also use apps with Enigma that emulates. PC too.
-Whole war available 1938-45
-fictitious war scenarios, like the War ending beyond 1945.
-Unlimited time
-Fuel management
-Sextant would also take time. Around 10-15'. Only during twilight.
-More subs included like Type II and XXI, Type IX.
-More audio options (English, Portuguese etc) We could record our own too
-Saving the game is already in the works, tks!
-US Navy version! Balao/Trench class please!