Aces of the Deep Nightclub - in SH3 Commander?!

[JScones]

Who remembers the Aces of the Deep Nightclub feature? Full of little stories and tales of the war - some true, some not so true. Such a simple feature, but an immersive one nonetheless.

Anyway, I've spent some time trying to replicate the Nightclub in SH3 but to no avail. However, I can *very* easily add the same feature to SH3 Commander in about 5 minutes (a new "Action" titled "Go to Nightclub").

So, who'd like to see this added? Doesn't matter if you don't, because I do! :lol:

But, this is where I'll need some help. I need a screenshot to form the image of the Nightclub screen - preferably an image with two or three faces included, which will be the "speakers" of the text. I'm thinking something like the Nightclub scenes in Das Boot. Not too big though.

For inspiration, I'd also like to remind myself of the original stories told in AoD. Does anyone have the text that was used in the Nightclub in AoD?

Also, if anyone has some good text snippets that they think should be added, pls let me know them as well. For example, here's a couple that I have already tentatively added to the first few months of the war:

"I hear Schuhart sunk the British Carrier 'Courageous'. Got the EKI and EKII for it as well. That'll get the Limeys scared."
"The 'Graf Spee' sunk four more merchant ships in the South Atlantic last month. She'll be on her way back home soon."
"Can you believe Prien? Went in to Scapa and sunk the 'Royal Oak'! First bugger to get the Knight's Cross."
"We're in Warsaw!"

[Coolhand01]

I DO I DO I DO I DO I DO....CH

[Venatore]

Sounds good :up:

[Akula]

Yes please, that would be great!!!!!!! Love those little details that makes for a nice break after a long cruise

[Hudsonhawk]

I'll look for some pictures tonight......from Das Boot.....I can post the and you can choose...which one's you like... :up:

[JScones]

Brilliant. Thank you. I've spent a few hours this arvo building the text list. I must say, I have enjoyed every minute of it!

[Hudsonhawk]

RgR ....JS... :|\

[Jochen Mohr]

I want to have this Feature too,and I could translate the Text in German!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[U56]

Fantastic idea!!

[HEMISENT]

Wow, Great idea!
I never played AOD but everyone raves about it. Sounds like a great idea.



:lurk:

[Coolhand01]

AOD was GREAT...Had both the DOS version and CD version but unfortunately they got lost in several moves between then and now. (performs cerimony for lost games)

[iambecomelife]

That's an excellent idea, and I really want them to include this in SH4. :up: Terrapin's site had a zip file with screenshots of every major scene in "Das Boot", so you can easily find something appropriate for the background if you download it.

[Schultzy]

Fantastic idea!!!

:arrgh!:

[Hartmann]

great idea.. :up:

I think that is better use a screenshots of Das boat movie.

i have got a copy of AOD that works in windows 98, but it don´t work in xp and the nightclub mensages seems to be harcoded in the files. :88) :nope:


in the night club could have rumors or future events, like normandy invassion, norway ,or other operations, ... :hmm:

[CWorth]

Cant quite remember but I belive this was the nightclub...

http://www.manoir3portes.net/articles/pics/aod/aod19400.jpg

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Great idea JSCones! :up: :up: :up:

[JScones]

Cant quite remember but I belive this was the nightclub...

http://www.manoir3portes.net/articles/pics/aod/aod19400.jpg
Yes, exactly the kinda thing I am thinking!

[JScones]

Terrapin's site had a zip file with screenshots of every major scene in "Das Boot", so you can easily find something appropriate for the background if you download it.
Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, the only Das Boot screens I found are emblazoned with the SH3 logo, which I'm not particularly interested in for this screen.

[simsurfer]

Your new Comanders version is getting me syched (sp?) it is the one program that we have been looking for that keeps getting better and better all of the time and I cant even begin to imagine playing SHIII without it. When did you say the newest version would be out??

Thank you for a great program.

[Hudsonhawk]

Here ya go JScones sorry it took soooo long.....i had to work late.... :oops:

1. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/number%201.jpg

2. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/number%202.jpg

3. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/number%203.jpg

4. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/number%204.jpg

5. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/number%205.jpg

6. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/number%206.jpg

Let me know if you have specific pic's you want me to get........or quality :|\

[Marhkimov]

@JScones: What size will this Nightclub be? Fullscreen or same size as the current SH3Cmdr?

What size does the background pic have to be?

[JScones]

Here ya go JScones sorry it took soooo long.....i had to work late....
Let me know if you have specific pic's you want me to get........or quality :|\
Thanks! Hey, any chance of there being something similar to the piccy in CWorth's link?

@JScones: What size will this Nightclub be? Fullscreen or same size as the current SH3Cmdr?

What size does the background pic have to be?
Doesn't matter - SH3 Commander will stretch it as needed. For guidance though, the current screen is a slight bit smaller than the main screen - and would suit a widescreen picture well.

Although if the file size is small enough, I may add a few images and randomise them each time the Nightclub screen is opened. :)

[Panama Red]

:up: :rock: :up: :rock: :up: :rock:

It realy make you wonder if SH4 will even be this good. :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

[Hudsonhawk]

Hey JS.......i'll look and see....Not to many shots similar to that one..... :oops: .......But i'll keep looking :up:

[JScones]

Here's a screenshot using one of the piccies HudsonHawk posted...

http://members.iinet.net.au/~jscones@iinet.net.au/software/screenshots/SH3Cmdr_NC.gif

With the image size looking at being only 60KB, I think I will be able to add a few screenshots and rotate through them so you get different images each time.

When I've finished the text file, I'll ask for volunteers to translate into German (Jochen Mohr?) and French.

[Marhkimov]

Text will be editable, right?

I'm hoping that a future modder will decide to unload a megaton of new text... Fun stuff! :up:

[JScones]

Text will be editable, right?
I won't even dignify this with a response! LOL!

I'm hoping that a future modder will decide to unload a megaton of new text... Fun stuff! :up:
How could I not let others have as much fun as I've had the last day or so?

The principle works the same as the Newsmod, in that comments are grouped by month and reflective of the previous month (so something happening in say Jan 40 will be listed under the Feb 40 entry), although common sense prevails. For example, Sep 39 includes comments relevant to the beginning of the war. Anyway, if you word the comment right, it works well (ie "Did you hear last month that...")

Modders will be able to add unlimited entries per month, in addition to adjusting the number of comments displayed each visit. This means, for example, you can add 100 entries to Jan 40, but limit the Nightclub to only showing 10 each visit. SH3Cmdr randomises the comments so you won't keep getting the same comments each time you visit in the same month. But, if you wanted to see all 100 comments each visit, you could do that too.

There's a bit of behind the scenes work happening here! I've always wanted this feature!

Anyway, as a start I'm aiming to add 4 entries per month, although at the moment most months only have 1 or 2 entries. 1942 is the leanest year - 5 months have no entries at all! I've dug out my AoD CD and am hoping that the Rumorlog.dat file can be cracked so I can use it as inspiration to add more! I dunno how Irishred does it with his radiolog!!!

[Marhkimov]

glad to hear it! :up:

[Kalach]

You've outdone yourself once again :up:
I've been hoping for little details and things like this that add to the immersion and make it seem that there really is a world out there beyond your boat.

[Mr.Fleck]

Nice work going on here!

If you need further help translating into German, just ask. I stand ready.

Mr Fleck

[Hitman]

Wait a moment!!!

Why not include instead of a picture background a MOVIE? :D

Like the SH3 main menu movie, that has been already modded with a movie of Das Boot, you could do the same here and add scenes of crewmen drinking on the table and speaking. If the movie is decreased in window size and resolution, it could have a small size :D You can use low size formats, there are lots of them like DiVX

Or at least, make it optional or prepared to admit a movie in the future, in case someone does it :D

[iambecomelife]

Wait a moment!!!

Why not include instead of a picture background a MOVIE? :D

Like the SH3 main menu movie, that has been already modded with a movie of Das Boot, you could do the same here and add scenes of crewmen drinking on the table and speaking. If the movie is decreased in window size and resolution, it could have a small size :D You can use low size formats, there are lots of them like DiVX

Or at least, make it optional or prepared to admit a movie in the future, in case someone does it :D

It would also be immersive to have a sound file playing in a loop with typical bar sounds - quiet chatter, glasses clinking, some laughter, and maybe some jazz or suitably low-key piano music. Just an idea; let me know if I'm being totally unrealistic. :88)

[Marhkimov]

Yes! Good quality and looping sound effects from a bar!!!

[JScones]

Why not include instead of a picture background a MOVIE? :D
To be fully integrated into SH3Cmdr it would have to be in .AVI format. Any other format means that SH3Cmdr has to go looking elsewhere for drivers/software and it becomes messy. .AVI = large file size.

It would also be immersive to have a sound file playing in a loop with typical bar sounds - quiet chatter, glasses clinking, some laughter, and maybe some jazz or suitably low-key piano music. Just an idea; let me know if I'm being totally unrealistic. :88)
This thought crossed my mind. Just a short length, low volume background hum would be good - one that won't be obvious or get too annoying when repeated. This can be done with one line of code, so wouldn't be a problem to include.

[Hudsonhawk]

I could take the Bar sounds....and the Music with out the main characters talking..... :up: You guys would have to form the loop of course since i don't know how.... :oops: .....As far as a scene....in AVI format i'll look into the ponit when the French woman is dancing on the table.........with the jazz music blasting.... :|\

[Hudsonhawk]

Here are some more Pic's:


1. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/Second%201.jpg


2. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/Second%202.jpg


3. http://www.myimgs.com/data/a82ahawk/Second%203.jpg

:arrgh!: :arrgh!:

[Sailor Steve]

WOW! I miss a few days and everything's changing again.

Just the nightclub with no frills would be great, but background sounds and music, and maybe even movement?

WOW! :cool:

[JScones]

WOW! I miss a few days and everything's changing again.

Just the nightclub with no frills would be great, but background sounds and music, and maybe even movement?

WOW! :cool:
The no frills nightclub is already in and working. I'm just having some fun now! ;)

[gdogghenrikson]

please dont add too much stuff to sh3 commander. then it wont be 56k friendly DL :down:

[Marhkimov]

please dont add too much stuff to sh3 commander. then it wont be 56k friendly DL :down:
You know you won't mind, will you? :D :D

[gdogghenrikson]

please dont add too much stuff to sh3 commander. then it wont be 56k friendly DL :down:
You know you won't mind, will you? :D :D

yes I do mind...

[JScones]

I'm actually very mindful of download size, as Beery will attest. At this point the Nightclub feature has added about 100KB (including the yet to be translated text files)...not much at all. The next release won't come with a Nightclub movie, but might come with a small .wav file, perhaps another 100KB at most. Any larger, and I really don't know if it is worth it.

BTW gdogghenrikson, it shouldn't be too bad if you use a d/l manager like GetRight.

[gdogghenrikson]

is getright compatable with firefox?

[Jochen Mohr]

When I've finished the text file, I'll ask for volunteers to translate into German (Jochen Mohr?) and French.

Yes sure,no Problem.
I hope it will be soon!!

[CptGrayWolf]

I never really considered using SH3 Commander, for whatever reasons, but with this Bar Royal idea I no longer have any choice!
Good Job men! :up:

[gdogghenrikson]

BTW gdogghenrikson, it shouldn't be too bad if you use a d/l manager like GetRight.

I DL'd it and installed it...I dont think I totally understand how to use it

[gdogghenrikson]

well I think I mostly have it figured out now :up:

[Marhkimov]

Just do a little poking around with SH3Cmdr... You'll see that next to the ABC's, SH3Cmdr is the easiest thing to understand... ;) :up:

[JScones]

Just do a little poking around with SH3Cmdr... You'll see that next to the ABC's, SH3Cmdr is the easiest thing to understand... ;) :up:
I think gdogghenrikson's talking about GetRight... ;)

[gdogghenrikson]

yes, I was talking about getright.

[Marhkimov]

LOL... MARHKIMOV! Get some sleep!!!

Yes sir.... :88)

[JScones]

OK. The screenshot at the bottom of page 1 is how this feature will look when released. The image size is in 16:9 ratio (coincidently widescreen ;)) and you will be able to add extra .jpg images to the Nightclub folder and SH3Cmdr will automatically randomise them. You will also be able to edit the comment text to your liking - add as many entries to each month as you like (which may be good because I still have some months with either no or one entry only :().

[Hudsonhawk]

and you will be able to add extra .jpg images to the Nightclub folder and SH3Cmdr will automatically randomise them.

I could post more pic's ........if people need them...... :up:
plus i take requests... :know:

[Kalach]

... You will also be able to edit the comment text to your liking - add as many entries to each month as you like (which may be good because I still have some months with either no or one entry only :().
What about adding just general chat, as well as the historical news?
eg, "Have you heard about Kpt Odie? they're still sending him out in that old IID!"
"I hear Kpt Hellbling is having a big patry here tonight to celebrate his latest patrol"
and other assorted bits like that.

I'm sure mine will be full of news anyway since we can add to it ourselves :)

[JScones]

;) You'll have to wait. I've finished with the crew names list so I'm back onto this one.

[JScones]

@Kalach, pls check you PM!

[U-Cass]

I Like it :up:

[Sheppard]

Here are some more Pic's:

Those pictures are out of proportion; they have to be corrected with paint shop pro to get the true aspect ratio of Das Boot.

To wit, this is a screenshot taken with WinDVD:

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/3176/originaldb8ad.th.jpg (http://img372.imageshack.us/my.php?image=originaldb8ad.jpg)

it's 720 x 480, a 1.5 to 1 ratio. Looking at the Back of my Das Boot DVD, it says Das Boot was shot in a 1:85:1 ratio; that's equal to a 1.85 to 1 ratio.

Correcting with PSP gives me:

http://img308.imageshack.us/img308/2259/correctedldb9sf.th.jpg (http://img308.imageshack.us/my.php?image=correctedldb9sf.jpg)

[JScones]

Just as an aside, SH3Cmdr converts on the fly to 16:9 ratio. Not quite 1:85:1 ratio, but close enough. This can be seen by comparing the image on page one with the SH3Cmdr screenshot down the bottom of the same page, which uses the same source image.

Users wishing to add their own images to the Nightclub feature will need to keep this in mind, especially if they want to use 4:3 or 3:2 aspect ratio images.