RuB vs. IuB - some compromise?
 

I've tried both Rub and IuB. And, they differ in a lot of ways, even though IuB incorporates much of RuB. In the end, I would rather stick with RuB, mainly because I prefer the realism: the way the hydrophone contacts and map contacts are handled (more ambiguously). The graphics are also a little prettier to my blurry eye. IuB has a lot of nice features, like the port traffic, radio messages, some graphics upgrades, etc, but not enough for me to lose that strategic uncertainty that keeps me progressively guessing a task force's path. While there seems to be some tension between these two mod communities (at least as far as forum postings can show), I think they are both totally awesome efforts to make a great game better, and I applaud them both equally.

For people who are not deep into the modding details, it has been a great help to be able to install a bulk mod that has been tested and groomed by those who know.

Now,

I was wondering if there will be a RuB 1.45? If so, is there any interest in addressing the visibility/draw distance issue? IuB has an extended draw distance. I think it's a bit much because the graphics were not designed to look good at 16, 20 km. On the other hand, it is a really cool idea that changes the gameplay quite a bit. Any thoughts on this issue? Would it not provide a more realistic Uboat experience?

I am all for the effort to make SH3 as realistic as possible while preserving its beauty. And it's great that this clever community of modders has taken in upon itself to see that this happens, now that Ubi is out of the picture. Ubi did most of the work and now you guys are finishing it for them. I think though that some compromise could be made in order to integrate these two awesome mod collections (IuB and RuB), and create an optimal final package

I like RuB 1.44 for realism, but would consider adding:

- draw/detection distance increase (somewhere between 8 and 16 clicks) + associated graphical upgrades to accomodate this. I've read that this would be more realistic than the 8 or so found in 1.44. This is my main interest - the ones that follow are less important, but considerable?

- a harbour traffic increase of some kind - not excessive, but more that 1.44

- more radio traffic mod

- milkcows? - not sure - maybe patrol are best left simple

- advanced smoke? - i kinda liked it - looked hotter to me

Any thoughts, you salty kriegslovers?

KB

An 'uber' mod is a great idea in theory, but in reality it ain't gonna' happen... Sorry for the splash of truth...

And if you have the quality system to run it, the atmospheric mod (16km) should suit your needs quite nicely. It's a little more current than the visiblility provided by IUB.

Another option is to go through the read me for IUB carefully and then pick out which files you prefer and create your own personal "compromise". That's what I'm in the process of doing with IUb. I prefer a few things and am trying to make my version of SH3 exactly how I like it. Tough work, especially the part of relaoding SH3 to view the differences. That is looooong.

Actually, I prefer to do the same as P_Funk. Pick and use only what you want. Just because certain files are included in RUb does not mean that you have to use them. Taking apart RUb and IUB is even made simpler because they give you detailed descriptions of what each and every file does.

Re: RuB vs. IuB - some compromise?
 

Firstly, thanks for your kind words about RUb.

It would be good if we could have better visibility, but there are some drawbacks with the visibility mod that haven't been addressed to my satisfaction. Night vision is one, and some people have reported slow framerates.

The Harbour Traffic mod used to be in RUb, but manypeople felt it was too populous and too arcade-ish, with lots of traffic and aircraft. Although I liked the concept of the Harbour Traffic mod, I had to agree with these concerns.

RUb 1.45 will have radio traffic.

There are serious problems with the Milk Cow mod. One of which is that if you stop at a milk cow your patrol ends and another one starts. This maynot be a big problem for some, but for those of us who use SH3 Commander it looks a bit odd in the patrol history. I prefer SH3 Commander's Milk Cow mod - it's abstract, but it works fully within what SH3 will allow without messing up the patrol report.

I prefer the standard game's smoke. But if you don't, why not just add it on top of RUb?

I hope the radio traffic isn't overdone. My TC gets dropped down to 1x whenever a radio msg comes in.

Uhm, people do realise that there's an "Option" mini-mod included with IuB v101 called "RealUBoatDefaults" that restores RuB settings for

*sonar lines
*map contacts
*u-boat marker
*command icons
*certain misc settings like crew only engage aircraft to 500m

...Right?

Just enable via JSGME after IuB.

Also, I'm sure Beery knows better, but I believe there's an RuB 1.45 on the way. IuB v102 might be out soon as well, if I can tidy up a few things.

Beery, when will be available RUb 1.45?
New SH3Commander 2.3 will be released this weekend.

RUb1.45 will be available very soon. I may release it this weekend in conjunction with SH3 Commander. After that, version 1.5 will be the last RUb mod. That one will be ready by Christmas.

Fantastic news, Beery! :)
Will RUb 1.5 make SH3 perfect uboot's simulator ever made?
PS. Do you plan to include 16KM visibility mod or not?

I just wanted to drop a note in this thread to say "thanks" to Beery for RUb and SH3 Commander. I can't imagine playing SH3 without 'em, and I really appreciate all of the hard work and consideration that has gone into these mods. I think you've definately struck a fantastic balance between simulation and fun.

On a related note, there's been some discussion of the visibility mod in future versions of RUb. I would be in favor of it, but only if it can easly be set back to default either through SH3 Commander or through simple text file edits. I've got SH3 running beautifully at 1680x1050 (which leaves me wondering why the devs didn't include these resolution options! -- I get much better performance than in most games) but I would imagine that the extended visibility might have a big impact on fps.

If a 16k visibility mod is made that solves the night vision problem, then it will be included in RUb (assuming its author allows it to be included).

Please Please Please do a 8km version as well though,

I am a poor man who has to wait for a super Gfx card. Priorities have to take presedent so she says. :cry:

:up: :up:

8km version will be better than stock, but it will be the best to include both versions for choose.

Is the Ops Mod dead? It seems to me the main thing missing are a lot of historical operations. The last time I looked in the editor (1.43) there wasn't a D-day yet for example.