I prefer WWII to modern setting (more of an art than a science). As for improvements, I am all for focusing on functional aspects. I agree that accurate models of the sub's interiors are very important to a simulation (it's immersion, not just eye candy), but there are things I would like to see first.

My ideal SH5 would not be SH at all, but Destroyer Command with the SH4 engine and of course compatible with SH4 for multiplayer. It would be developed as an expansion instead of as a separate title, and its installation would add fixes and features to standard SH4 to bring it up to par with the new game (improved AI, individual screw control, stuff like that).

The career mode would include missions such as patroling harbors and straits, rescuing sailors from sinking ships (this one radioed when needed much like task force interceptions), convoy escorts, task force escorts, etc. The game would focus on surface naval battles much more than SH4 currently does, so you would actually see task forces engaging each other often and would be able to participate in the battle fully.

I believe this kind of new scope on the game would do a lot more to the experience than just doing the Pacific or the Atlantic all over again with better graphics and a couple of tweaks.

EDIT: I should add that what would rock my world would be putting all of the above in the Atlantic. I'm dying to command a Flower corvette in an Atlantic convoy escort! :D

Ship Command/interop
 

I highly agree that the next one should be surface ship based and compatible with SH4. Not just tin cans, but everything, even a carrier (ordering launches, recovery, etc). Shore bombardment, ship to ship battles and the likes. What would make it interesting is to have stations in multiplayer. Helm, Boiler/Engine Room, CIC, Turrets/Mounts etc. and have the option in single player to check which stations will be auto, and which will be able to be manupulated by the player. This way in multiplayer it would be like a crew, with people manning different stations to make the whole ship come to life. That is simulation my friends.
I have had a great deal of fun with the SH2/DC interop and roger wilco made it even better. A roger wilco like thing for multiplayer would be great so you would be able to have comms with your gun crew, Engine room crew, etc.

Yes,that would be cool also.A Surface Force addon with seven or eight ship classes from where to choose ( corvettes,destroyers,cruisers,battleships and fleet carriers ),with their 3D bridges and letting the player to control all its stations and systems including fighter-bomber launch and recovery from the CVs.
I agree absolutely with the previous post !!

:up: :up: :up:

I agree, also add up British submarines (hunting for U-boots, I think sub to sub combat is something SH4 lacks. Unless you feel like hunting for Midgets)

Obvious question: why have we never had any significant surface ship simulators? Yeah you have 3rd-person tactical naval games like Fighting Steel and such, but no hardcore sims which have you on the bridge of your 3D battleship, having to manage your crew and systems and such while the shells scream in. Have a ship designing program in there too and it's a swabbie's wet dream...

You've never played Destroyer Command? There were some pretty cool battleship mods for it, and you could chase U-boats in multiplay against SH2.

Considering time of the hypotetical SH5, I'd keep it in WW2. What are the alternatives? The Cold War? I don't know, a game where you wouldn't fire a single torpedo (without provoking an international incident and starting a global thermonuclear war) but just patrol all the time is kinda...hell, boring.:|\\

I like the way you think....:hmm:

I would really like this, too, but not as a DC game but more of a Sh3/4 sim where you are captain of one ship. Though, to be fair to the DC gamers, I suspect it would be only right to move up and ultimately control a fleet.

But the activity of being one captain on a single destroyer fighting the Atlantic and the U-boats, not to mention the horrific (and historical) set piece battles you could be involved in, with today's 3d rendering capabilities...wow. I would really like this a lot.:hmm:

I guess historically a sub skipper never went into other compartments, though as a gamer playing a sub skipper I certainly would. I think it would be cool. So, yeah, more compartments for me; I would enjoy that immensely.:yep:

I'd make this walking through the sub a part of the Museum section. That would make far more sense.

Why no modern Boats?
Because the SH WWII Series is over i think.
I dont want another part of the SH Series just to have another part of the Series.
I want something new.
From the latest addon u get some features that are not historical correct like XXI in the pacific and on call Airsupport for Subs.....

Why not a modern Simulation? Where u have to move really silently.
U dont have only fictional conflict or u never can shoot.
The Falkland War would be a possible scenario or some Middle-east scenarios.

But i dont think that i will buy another SH Game if it is just the same game on another scenario with a little bit improved graphics.

hope you will understand my bad english ;)

IIRC Aces of the deep and DC had something similar. I think Destroyer Command there was a section with internal 360 deg views of a real Fletcher class DD.

Why no Modern? Because it is not even close
 

I posted on this before - I have been riding Fast Attacks all of my career and so far ALL the "SIMS" are pretty much crap. Too much guess work (by necessity) but otherwise it is pretty much a bunch of guys reading Janes and blowing stuff out of there butts and calling it a game. Sorry but stick with what you know - ie WWII or WWI Sims. BTW there was a Battleship game called Great Naval Battles. I agee a good old fashion slug fest with SH IV level graphics would be really cool. Good Luck though as it like these SIMS have a very limited target group - I would leave the carriers off unless you like to launch planes and recover planes otherwise it becomes a strategic sim and misses the first person aspect of SHIII and SHIV.:arrgh!:

While I would not for a moment question your credentials you might want to have a look at the background of a company called Sonalysts and what they have done and still do do for the US Navy in addition to game development.

http://www.sonalysts.com/training/ca...ies/index.html

If you are still on the boats it is likely that some of the software that you trained on was developed by them.

There is a big difference between what they can put out, and are allowed to put out to the public.

Please do not call the efforts of hard working, dedicated people crap. It is disrespectful and insulting.

JCC

I would agree up to a point. If a new sim is released based on current technology, then you're right; a new WW2 variant (excepting surface ships or other nation's subs as an add-on) would be silly.

When, however, it's possible to create a new sim as far advanced as SH4 is over SH1, then it's time to start all over again, and an ever better WW2 sim is welcome again.