Originally Posted by karamazovnew (Post 1230563)

You've not criticised my "good speculation", all you've done was criticise ME, call me a hypocrite and then used your own words as a shield to prevent me from defending myself without appearing as a speculation fan-boy. And if you do that, at least don't use a plural. That offended me more.

When it comes to SH5, I'm an optimist and I have very high expectations from the game. So every time I see missing features (which I had hoped for) in either screenshots, trailers or dev comments, I'm probably more disappointed than others and I voice my concerns in strong terms. Some features however have been pounded by the community although the devs have stated repeatedly that the player will be able to turn off features and they've also made improvements in those areas both in terms of realism and user-friendliness.
"Q: Will we be able to turn health bars off?
A: Yes.
Q: Will the damage system be like the one in SH3?
A: No, it's much better, we've implemented realistic boyancy"

What more do you want? They've said they added buoyancy and you've seen a flood bar above the ship. How is that not proof of what they've said? It's as good a fact as the fact that SH5 will be about the Atlantic war, because they said it is (maybe they're lying and it's about Fleet Boats). Sure, it might not be a GOOD representation of the Atlantic war, and the buoyancy system might suck, that's why I said that I can't know yet how it works (good or bad). The rest of my post was just an example as to how even a simple hit-point system can approximate real physics to a good degree.

Originally Posted by finchOU (Post 1232466)

Watch: "Health Bar on the Horizon Sir!"

Captain: "what type of ship is it Seaman?"

Watch: "I cant tell but she's at 100% health!"

Originally Posted by Platapus (Post 1232479)

Just like in Stock SH#

Watch: Bridge, Sub sighted!

Bridge: Where away?

Watch: Right under that red "X" sir!

Originally Posted by JScones (Post 1232809)

I want to know when Neal will be sent a beta copy of SH5 to preview? I remember Neal was sent a beta copy of both SH2 and SH3 well before release, which he independently previewed, but it didn't happen with SH4 (all Neal got was a controlled demo of what Ubisoft wanted him to see)...and we all know the state SH4 was in upon release...which is why I ask my question, considering it's now a mere 8 weeks until release (and we should be well past beta stage now). :hmmm:

Originally Posted by Steeltrap (Post 1232596)

IF SH5 is SHIII in SH4+ engine without addressing all those points then :down:.

Originally Posted by TDK1044 (Post 1232815)

DEV Q&A

Q: Will Neal Stevens at subsim get access to a Beta version of the game for review?

Originally Posted by mookiemookie (Post 1232869)

A: We maybe might possibly consider this as a topic of future discussions at a later future date.

Originally Posted by tdk1044 (Post 1232815)

dev q&a

q: Will neal stevens at subsim get access to a beta version of the game for review?

A: Giving someone who could potentially increase sales of the product a beta copy of the game for review is an interesting idea. For that reason, we won't do it.

Originally Posted by sharkbit (Post 1232863)

That pretty sums it up for me.
:)

Originally Posted by JScones (Post 1232809)

I want to know when Neal will be sent a beta copy of SH5 to preview? I remember Neal was sent a beta copy of both SH2 and SH3 well before release, which he independently previewed, but it didn't happen with SH4 (all Neal got was a controlled demo of what Ubisoft wanted him to see)...and we all know the state SH4 was in upon release...which is why I ask my question, considering it's now a mere 8 weeks or so until release (and we should be well past beta stage now). :hmmm:

Originally Posted by TDK1044 (Post 1228169)

So once you strip away the usual rhetoric, what can we really expect from Silent Hunter V? We've now seen some 'in game' videos and screenshots. We've also seen an interview with Dan. I'm sure there's more to come.

I think a pattern is evolving that shows us that we can basically expect a graphically improved, bells and whistles version of Silent Hunter IV patched to 1.5, with the addition of the 'first person' to give a much better crew interraction.

Reading between the lines, I don't believe it will be a SIM, although I think that it will be very modable. I also don't believe it will be an Arcade Game. I believe it will be a video game that can be modded up by the usual suspects, or dumbed way down using the Options tab.

I think that Ubisoft are pinning their hopes on the casual gamers to increase sales with this version of the Silent Hunter series. That won't please many here, but if allowing the game to be dumbed down via 'Options' increases sales and guarantees the continuation of the franchise, then it's not an issue as long as the game is very modable for those of us seeking a more realistic experience.

Based on what I've seen, I like the look and feel of Silent Hunter V. I think the Devs have taken on board observations and some criticism from members here, and I think they have done their best to deliver the standard of game demanded here, while also giving their employer what it demands from the game.

My greatest wish is that it's finished when it's released. I was disappointed with both SHIII and SHIV in that regard. To have to patch a game within a month of its release in order to fix 'game critical' issues is laughable, and I really hope that Ubisoft doesn't take us down that road again.

So, as we all wait for March 2010, I have more hope for SHV than I ever did for SHIII or SHIV.

What do you guys think?

Originally Posted by JScones (Post 1235522)

T'is a shame that they extend the "blackout" to you too, Neal, a person I suspect holds great influence over not just the members here, but anyone who would find your independent preview, based on actually playing the game, on-line. I remember well yours and Drebbel's updates prior to SH3 release...and you'll notice I wasn't a member here then.

Oh well, hope things change. :up: