How would you like the 'light' or 'easy' mode to be called?

[Artur Salwarowski]

Hello :Kaleun_Salute:

At Iron Wolf Studio, we have been thinking for some time how to call the 'easy mode' that the game is going to have. It will feature more of an RTS experience with a top-down view, but you will still be controlling your destroyer, albeit from a World of Warships-inspired TPP camera.

Therefore, while this mode will retain everything that the original game has, it will also give the player all the information in a simplified format, that is easily understood by a person not well-acquainted with naval warfare simulators. It will consist of the top-down view where you can control your AI escorts and assess the overall situation, and of the TPP view, where you maneuver your destroyer, launch depth charges, etc. In this latter view, you will also have access to DRT, OSC, Sonar, Radar, although in a simplified/automated form.

So, the question now is what sort of a name would be appropriate for this kind of game mode. Initially, I called it 'arcade mode', but as it was strictly a working title, I have come up with 'tactical mode'. Since Destroyer is a tactical simulation and you take away the simulation aspect in this mode, what you are left is the 'tactical' part of the game.

There have been other suggested names, including 'cruise mode', or even 'gung-ho mode', but I think there could be other alternatives.

So, what do you think? Is there a name that would describe it well and at the same time appeal to both subsimmers and the casual crowd alike?

[mapuc]

What about Novice ?

Markus

[Artur Salwarowski]

You mean Novice mode? Hmm, I guess that could work... Although I'm not sure if I would like to play that mode for a prolonged period of time and think of myself as a novice, but perhaps that would incite me to try the simulation mode faster ;) Thanks, I'm adding it to my list!

Any other suggestions?

[Oubaas]

Flag - Provides staff level interaction with greater access to Intel and more delegation of duties.


VS


Command - Provides command level interaction with more hands-on shipboard-centered play and less delegation of duties.


=====

COMDESRON vs Command-at-Sea
Commodore vs Captain
DESRON vs Command
CIC vs Bridge
Crew vs Command
Staff vs Command
Operations Officer vs Captain

I guess it depends on how you want to look at it. The thing to avoid is making players feel diminished if they choose the more simplified mode.


:Kaleun_Salute:

[Artur Salwarowski]

Thanks a lot, I really like the ideas and the kind of approach that you have proposed. It is a tough issue, because we don't want to dishearten or otherwise offend any of the two target groups. Either way, this is some serious food for thought, thank you! :Kaleun_Applaud:

[Bubblehead1980]

Novice. Simple, easy to understand description and may inspire others to learn for the " regular" or "advanced" mode.



I know SH 4 is a subsim but its a great example of a bungle of "novice" mode, mainly with the targeting of torpedoes. Instead of a respectable novice mode (and more realistic) where crew provides targeting information based on observations...its point your scope and the corny little green, yellow, or red triangle. Immersion killer and can get quite boring.

[Artur Salwarowski]

Yes, we are aiming for meaningful gampleay regardless of the mode, so that the 'Novice mode' (I'm beginning to like this :)) is not dumbed down to the point of being disrespectful. The thing is that the most issues that have been raised by new players is lack of awareness and that they are finding it difficult to find their bearings (pun intended) in the 360-degree system.

To me it seems very weird that anyone could find it complicated... It's just a bering and a distance, and yet A LOT of people react to it like a deer in the headlights ;)

Anyhow, there is a lot going on with the game right now, so keep your fingers crossed for both the original (simulation) mode and the new one - hopefully it will bring in a few new souls into the genre :Kaleun_Cheers:

[Bubblehead1980]

Yes, we are aiming for meaningful gampleay regardless of the mode, so that the 'Novice mode' (I'm beginning to like this :)) is not dumbed down to the point of being disrespectful. The thing is that the most issues that have been raised by new players is lack of awareness and that they are finding it difficult to find their bearings (pun intended) in the 360-degree system.

To me it seems very weird that anyone could find it complicated... It's just a bering and a distance, and yet A LOT of people react to it like a deer in the headlights ;)

Anyhow, there is a lot going on with the game right now, so keep your fingers crossed for both the original (simulation) mode and the new one - hopefully it will bring in a few new souls into the genre :Kaleun_Cheers:



I do not get why people are so confused by 360 bearing system either. I would hope the sim is not dumbed down for that crowd. A option to help with things could be a training mission on 360 relative and true bearings ? Include some useful documentation perhaps? I know I speak as someone who grew up boating, sailing, fresh water and ocean/gulf so perhaps it comes to me a bit more naturally, but still, it's not rocket science. Taught my ex the system and while she was pretty, not exactly the brightest light in the chandelier. :har:

[Onkel Neal]

"Crew Assist mode"? :hmmm:

[Ostfriese]

„Fresh from the academy“

[Fearless]

Noobs mode. :Kaleun_Salute:

[Onkel Neal]

„Fresh from the academy“

Oooh! Academy mode, I like that :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Fearless]

Ensign mode. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Furia]

Academy mode sounds good to me :salute:

[Oubaas]

How about, "Actual Fun" mode and, "Self-Flagellating Hair-Shirt" mode? :haha:

[Artur Salwarowski]

I have to say that I really like the way 'academy mode' sounds, perhaps that could be it! Ensign mode would be great too, but I wonder how many 'ordinary people' actually know who an ensign is.

Regardless, thank you once again for your invaluable input! :subsim: We will soon be stepping up our testing as the release draws near, and I will be posting a separate thread to ask if anyone is interested in giving the game a try and sharing their feedback.

[mapuc]

Same here Academy mode sounds correct.

If I remember correctly SH3 had something similar, where you went through several steps to become a sub commander. Navigation, use of artillery, use of AA, use of torp.

Markus

[rlaycock]

Hi
I am not too worried what this mode is going to be named but novice works for me

However this IS what I need I am struggling with situation awareness. I would love to get into the game more but just need a more simpler mode to start with


Best wishes
Bob

[Aktungbby]

rlaycock! :Kaleun_Salute: after a 5 year 'silent run'! @ Artur Salwarowski: hows 'bout... "Fledgeling Mode"? Academic sounds too damn formal. My name-word warmly implies one's newness, learning, and expanding capabilities based on gained experience all-in-one.:arrgh!: Choice 2 would be "Plebe mode"; as with a beginner in any miltary academy.

[rlaycock]

"Fledgeling Mode" works for me

[Gwenydd]

I like Academy Mode, or Naval Academy Mode. :Kaleun_Salute:

[Steeltrap]

How about "Casual Mode"?


Has the advantage of differentiating based on how much time and brainpower you WANT to spend, instead of....


....sounding like it's a stripped down version for newbies, n00bs or idiots (three different groups although there can be overlap).


It also might help to show the idea is to play as YOU will enjoy, which of course could vary from day to day etc.


- Want a real challenge? OK, here's "Full Simulation, NO auto-assists" mode. (well, perhaps various features can be selected but the "Full" version is the most challenging config by default)

- Bit pressed for time, or want to explain something to people not immersed (aaagghh) in subs and ASW stuff? Here's "Casual" mode.

It's entirely possible very skilled players might choose to muck around with 'casual mode' if they're just looking to burn 30 minutes, for example.


It ALSO might help serve as an intro level, helping people get to grips with the broad concepts and thinking behind "what's all this ASW stuff?"
No doubt streamers/YouTubers would cover both, and likely make the whole exercise less daunting than trying to grapple with a much more simulator themed experience.


Learning the macro before diving (oh dear, did it again) into the micro is a very common approach, after all.


Plus it flows nicely from your excellent work in the tutorials, something for which I very much applaud you (as a semi-retired business consultant who specialised in all things business process improvement, including technical writing, I'm biased, LOL). No doubt you'll expand those to cover the various elements as you go, so "choosing a mode" or similar would likely be something you'd add.


Cheers
p.s. no, this isn't a necro account, and I'm not a zombie. Same person who joined in 2001. Well, ok, not exactly the same. :D

[Cy-Fox]

Pollywog Mode versus Shellback Mode

[Kingkat54]

Why not incorporate the ranks used by the German Kriegsmarine?

Just use the lower ranks and progress towards either a Petty Officer, or Officer rank.

[Kingkat54]

I think I got confused on my last post. Forgot what game I was referring to. Sorry.


Just use the US Naval Academy ranks for levels of difficulty.

[Aktungbby]

Kingkat54!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Rockstar]

Easy level of difficulty could be called

1. Cabin boy, Powder monkey, recruit, cadet, ensign, butter bar