Carrier Ops 1940: Mare Nostrum (wip)

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello :subsim:
I'm Gabriel from Argentina, I'm an independent simulator and game developer and just wanted to do a quick post here about a personal project i'm working on that hopes to bring open world combat simulation as seen in Silent Hunter series but this time beeing able to jump from unit to unit as in Battle Stations, but keeping a simulation aprouch.
The simulation physics have long time in the development and testing and it's been available as a Unity asset for purchase for over 5 years now.
https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/templates/systems/usim-vehicle-simulation-framework-15674
Now i have put myself alone to the endevour of finally putting together the dream of having an open world combat simulator where the player can both manage and control diferent units and play a campaign the way they want to.
Current state of development:
Currently there's no much going on as for features other than the control of the fleet ships and aircrafts both as AI or player controlled.
The player will be commanding a fleet or task force from the HMS Eagle set in the mediterrean in 1940. Swordfish torpedo bombers and Sea Gladiators to start with. Against Italy air and naval forces.
The map is the Mediterrean sea in a 1 in 10 scale.
The player can bring aircrafts from lower deck, give instructions to deck crew to move aircrafts on deck and assign them to missions. At any time player can view or jump in and control any unit naval or air. This is intended to be someting like in B17 The Mighty Eight sim.
AI currently can navigate and engage targets on sight. Both anti-air and surface as well as submarines with torpedo attacks.
Currently units are trowed in the map in the game editor for testing porpuses, but the idea is to have a strategic AI generate convoys, fleet movements, scouts and air attacks based on the strategic situation of the map resources and objetives.
The metod for developing this project is to do a little of everything in with a placeholder art done by myself (not a 3d modeler at all) and hope to have a free to play early version ready soon. In time perhaps i find a way to get some founding to pay for a profesional modeler to make the units.
The final idea is to have the player be able to walk arround the carrier and maybe even other ships. But with out descent models this is very dull.
Not much can be told about a sim trough pictures but for now it's all i got :) need to polish some bugs here and there to unlock the current potential and record some videos.
Since AI is based on inputs instead of animated, they not allways land safely or catch the wires :)
Visually it has a long way to go, but at least it can show some of the enviroment.
It's a solo, personal project so don't spect much just yet :)
enjoy :Kaleun_Cheers:

https://i.ibb.co/vzvYJRH/carrier-ops-screen-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/5cxF5w6)
https://i.ibb.co/bvhLJdT/carrier-ops-screen-3.jpg (https://ibb.co/94X2tY6)
https://i.ibb.co/BnFMjR7/carrier-ops-screen-4.jpg (https://ibb.co/rdNrMJL)
https://i.ibb.co/mvSH1dh/carrier-ops-screen-5.jpg (https://ibb.co/yhV8GKg)
https://i.ibb.co/gzPG96B/carrier-ops-screen-6.jpg (https://ibb.co/Hnx04Xk)
https://i.ibb.co/ZW5Kgrr/carrier-ops-screen-7.jpg (https://ibb.co/bzTLvVV)
https://i.ibb.co/ZK7qWFV/carrier-ops-screen-8.jpg (https://ibb.co/82t16f0)
https://i.ibb.co/yyhVp6y/Carrier-Ops1940-screen-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/FwsnX5w)

in case pictures are not show here is the link to a drive folder:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kNnbvyKSKtJc2MHvnh2p4kJCgLJfSt05

[Amiral Crapaud]

Now maybe the people will give us a small break regarding the FAA thanks to you :03:
Keep up the great work Gabriel!:yeah:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Thank you! althou i have to admit i'm not sure what FAA stands for :D

[Aktungbby]

LoneWolf_gabo!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Amiral Crapaud]

Thank you! althou i have to admit i'm not sure what FAA stands for :D


Fleet Air Arm, them gentlemen manning the flight deck of HMS Eagle on your pics :03:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Ahh, right. :) Those will be animated so they actually take some time to perform the actions and what they do is visible.

[LoneWolf_gabo]

A raw gameplay footage of an early implementation of deck crew operations. (no transitions nor crew animations yet) I'm still making sure aircrafts can takeoff and land with with a higher rate of succes :) so the flow of deck ops is very manual at the moment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2Wn_XSGPg

Cheers!
:Kaleun_Salute:

PD: The sim runs very smooth and fast, the hipos and low FPS are from video capture. plus my pc is very old in terms of tech,

[Raptor_341]

Interested!

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Some more pics. trying to get videos to make justice on the FPS. So for now some in game shots.
They are zoomed to hide the wip UI

https://i.ibb.co/v1hJqY6/carrier-ops-screen-9.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/vHN1J0F/carrier-ops-screen-10.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/hX8y1bk/screen48png.png
:Kaleun_Wink:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Taking off a squad of Swordfish from the Eagle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFJMe4pB3Ms&feature=youtu.be

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Some post effects for a old photo style.

https://i.ibb.co/XC3bzNN/carrier-ops-old-photo-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/rGtwnny/carrier-ops-old-photo-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/QnFLnFF/carrier-ops-old-photo-3.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/xqcTHTq/carrier-ops-old-photo-4.jpg


Testing for multiple missions and targets continues...
Torpedo hit rate for a moving target has been around 1 in 7 or so in current tweeks.
AI is droping torpedos between 800m and 600m from target and varying the lead angle from pilot to pilot.
Death rate by AA is very low at the moment. If the AI get's too close it might get hit serval times. but at release distance, casualities are almost none.
:hmmm: maybe too boring? :k_confused:
Feels realistic thou.

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Proper 4 inch anti aircraft armament for the HMS Eagle
just something to have a visual representation for now

https://i.ibb.co/BL1Czb9/Carrier-Ops1940-qf4inch.jpg

[LoneWolf_gabo]

...and here comes troubles!

pseudo Sm 79 :doh:

https://i.ibb.co/17XN77W/sm79-1.jpg

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello! Been some time since i posted anything or even worked on the sim given the circustances. Also kind of a downer not beeing able to add descent art to the sim. But i keep developing the simulation and the enviroment.

Early implementation of weather and new day/night cycles.

https://i.ibb.co/gZ0V0vX/Carrier-Ops-2.png
https://i.ibb.co/r3Gw9x6/Carrier-Ops-3.png
https://i.ibb.co/gTPG0qY/Carrier-Ops-gladiator1.png

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello!

Some pics from development.

Gun Crew confined to their stations!
https://i.ibb.co/r6dHfJX/carrier-ops-screen-14.jpg
Bridge Crew, some don't like using hats. Also, they don't have a helm yet :/
https://i.ibb.co/PMCWY19/carrier-ops-screen-13.jpg
Some randomization trown into the map. A Perla class sub cought by the HMS Warspite, view from the FCS.
https://i.ibb.co/r7tK4T9/carrier-ops-screen-15.jpg
Warspite sailing into the sunset.
https://i.ibb.co/7y8rJ7s/carrier-ops-screen-11.jpg


And some videos from the tests for the LSO and AI slow flight handling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7EHPGQqGis

Looking to improve the video capture/rendering. but for now it gives an idea.

[Topo65]

EXCELENTE!!! :Kaleun_Applaud:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello! Been long time since i been around the project, but still going.
Pretty much all the clicking parts of the sim is done and i'm focusing on adding and stablishing graphical content. I will be starting by publishing a free campaign where you will command the HMS Eagle in the Indean Ocean hunting German merchant riders while defending frendly merchant ships and keeping an eye on Italian early submarines.
So since the project idea is to make all by myself i've started improving my 3d art skills. Starting with the non-playable units, my first attempt at generating content is shown here in the "units viewer" demo build for PC:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15jP8MsPbEzghkTmgmCKs-rgDsDHThe2c/view?usp=sharing

or if you don't want to download the build here's a picture

https://i.ibb.co/FKW9BR1/CO1940.png


I have migrated the project to a universal rendering pipeline due to very poor performance on different platforms i was having and the idea is for the sim to run on low end PCs/devices. The downside is that the sim is back to flat ocean for now until i find a proper 3rd party solution for that.

I'll be adding UI controls to the units viewer and some test actions such as damage testing (aka destroying it!), navigating the different units and some AI functions.
I have more features coded than i can actually show on the current state of the sim. So until the free campaing contents are ready i'll be updating this units viewer with feature test buttons.

DISCLAIMER: The ship you see is the "Komet" merchant rider however i have mistaken the ship and it should have been the "Atlantis" wich is actually a bigger ship. But for now this will act as "random merchant rider" until i make the more historical accurate units.
The ship is not yet fully equiped, it has 15cm SKL/45 deck guns for now and a deployable recon aircraft He 114. Wich ofcourse actually fly from and to the AI ship and it's deployed and hoisted acordingly by the AI. (will add buttons for that in the units viewer).


Hope you like it.
Cheers!

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello again, here's some video of the damage system. Shows how compartments integrity can be quickly destroyed or damaged and eventually sinking due to flooding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hJg7FMfwYo

Particles are not deffinitive, and there will be more steam :D
same with secondary damages/explotions.

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello!

A quick video of current gameplay. Just remember the art is placeholder :oops:
More info on the description of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYGdAARR3w

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[dsawan]

Looks good;can you tell us what the pc specs are for this? i take it windows 10 64 bitos?

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hi, It's aimed for low end PCs. The PC I develop in is an I3 with just 8GB ram and an old Raedon vid card. I also test it in an even older PC with a 1.8hz amd cpu and an even crappy Nvida vid card.. and it runs smoothly over 30 to 40 fps. But any more "modern" PC will make it fly. It's super optimized and lowpoly modeled. The good thing is that it runs up to date graphics in terms of lighting and rendering.
Leaving computing room for a good dynamic ocean. Still looking for the most suitable solution.
I think graphically speaking it will look and run as if you run Silent Hunter 3.

As for target platform i can build for windows. 32bit, 64bit and MAC. Don't think it runs windows 7, but i will try and let you know.

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

:Kaleun_Salute: Salute virtual sailors and naval pilots!

So finally new ocean and things back on track after the migration.
Here are some pictures...

https://i.ibb.co/V3S7HgS/CO1940-sea-1.png
https://i.ibb.co/WvWMHr8/CO1940-sea-2.png
https://i.ibb.co/z8g0n4q/CO1940-sea-3.png

And also a new version of the Units Viewer where you can shoot some torpedos and lauch the recon aircraft.
Some advice:
The AI aircraft may experience some trouble leading with the waves. And in case of sinking it will glitch because it's still missing the damage system.
You can press F11 to alternate 16:9 resolutions for best suitable FPS.
To quit the game alt+F4 :D
Haven't add proper respawn function to the units viewer so if you want to try again you will have to re-load the game.

Units Viewer 1.1a PC Build x64.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15jP8MsPbEzghkTmgmCKs-rgDsDHThe2c/view?usp=sharing


:Kaleun_Cheers:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello!

So, made a new 3d model for a non-playable unit. In this case the RMS Strathnaver wich will act as troop transport class for the allied side.

Here are some pictures of it in Carrier Ops, with the civilian painting.
Now need to add some details and paint it in war colours.

https://i.ibb.co/Ky4dn5C/RMS-Strathnaver-1.png
https://i.ibb.co/p1CnWWR/RMS-Strathnaver-2.png
https://i.ibb.co/9Zq4PHk/RMS-Strathnaver-3.png
https://i.ibb.co/Yj8fwkj/RMS-Strathnaver-comp1.png
https://i.ibb.co/x1SfSYq/RMS-Strathnaver-comp2.png

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

The new ocean and the troop ship featured in this video, along with the other AI units including an Italian submarine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GLYdzBJo_g

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[bracer]

Looks sweet! I like the ship motion in the water.

What engine and water did you go for? Unity with Crest?

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Thanks! Your work is great too! :Kaleun_Cheers:

[Platapus]

Looks like you have put in a lot of good work on this.


Best of luck to you:salute:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Thanks a lot! Yep, lot's of years have gone into all the systems involved in the simulator and haven't got divorced yet! :haha: that gotta be a win :O:
Hope to publish a stable version of the sim by end of year. Probably will share a preview version here on the forums for testing before doing a "formal" publication.

And some pics: a game over situation for sure. And a simple port scenery wich represents Colombus port in Sir Lanka.

https://i.ibb.co/ZgyhwQR/Colombo-port-AA-gun.png
https://i.ibb.co/7tz5vxq/CO1940-sea-4.png

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Looks sweet! I like the ship motion in the water.

What engine and water did you go for? Unity with Crest?

Sorry bracer, i mised that second line on the text.

I'm using Unity URP in Deferred lighting. And currently using an ocean simulation from JumpTrajectory on github. Also using Enviro but just for the day night cycles as i have my own local weather system.

:Kaleun_Cheers:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello!

A quick video here. This time a bit on the side tracks.
Carrier Ops it's actually a simulation sandbox and it's capabilities go beyond ww2 era. Here's helicopters simulation in the naval enviroment.

https://youtu.be/xGy2ZQEcEvE


And the reason why i was testing helicopters in Carrier Ops is because the series will have a parallel co-production with a fellow Argentinian 3d designer to bring 1982 Malvinas (falkland) war to the series.
So Carrier Ops will start with both 1940 and 1982 series!

[Amiral Crapaud]

Great stuff bro - keep 'em coming updates ;)

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Alright then :Kaleun_Salute:

Here's an update on the 1940 Indian Ocean campaign. I've added aircraft catapult launch and the Warlwus Mk I for the Leander class CL that will be in at player disposal in the fleet.
Playable unit, to enjoy some water landings. Will post videos on the Walrus as soon as i complete modeling the Leander class guns launchers and catapult.

https://i.ibb.co/dMTtHGV/walruswip9.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/qgZn4FN/walruswip4.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/5rHMQKZ/walruswip6.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/5TTx2yT/walruswip8.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/hKGykVK/walruswip11.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/cX5KVPZ/walruswip10.jpg

On the programing side currently focusing on armament and combat AI.
If things go well on dicember i hope to publish the free demo.
In case anyone wonders, the demo will be set in the Indian Ocean, the player will have to use the carrier and it's fleet to escort the US-1 convoy from Colombus to Aden. Threats will be German Merchant Riders equiped with 15cm deck guns, torpedos and He114 with 50kg bombs.
A few rather "rebel" Italian submarines that even though Italy wasn't at war at the moment they can get a bit nervous for the sake of the game.
And if sopoted and in range of some enemy airfield there will be some level bombing. Currently by Italy bombers but might change that to a German unit. Hard to find good info on real threats in that early period.
The player's air unit will have Sea Gladiator, Swordfish and Walrus.



on the 1982 serie there has been some work already, but not much to show yet. Mainly adjusting the AI to work on angled decks and catapults.
In very early stages, and for testing porpuses we are using the HMS Eagle with the ARA 25 de mayo deck mockup to work the aircrafts that we already have.

The A4 model is defenitive, but the carrier is just a place holder.

https://i.ibb.co/V9F9Rpb/1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/JCH2w8f/A-4q.jpg




Ok that's all
:Kaleun_Cheers:

[LoneWolf_gabo]

Hello :Kaleun_Salute:

New dynamic ocean integration for Carrier Ops. One of those boring videos that involves lot's of physics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94We37_vR18