As a follow up on the resolution differences I pointed out earlier; comparing the 1280x1024 setting to others. There
is indeed a difference in the stock game when looking at the scopes field of view of the 1280x1024 resolution compared to all others (1024x768 up to 1920x1080). The 1280x1024 gives you a wider FoV by two degrees over the other resolutions. I mentioned I used a larger compass bearing to achieve greater accuracy and found the FoV of the stock 1280x1024 to be 38 degrees (using the stock compass, I had said the FoV was approximately 40 degrees). Further, I found the remaining stock resolutions to be a consistent 36 degree FoV, so there's a 2 degree difference between the two. These numbers are not as bad as I first originally thought but they still are not at a 32 degree field of view where they should be. I confirmed this finding by running my test missions on another computer using a native 1920x1080 monitor.
In doing a bit of checking, I found the stock game was first released with a 1.5 and 6.0 magnification in the periscopes with a 57.265 Angular Angle. It would appear the developers had
some notion of having the game optics as they should be. However, after the first patch (released here in the U.S. only weeks after the game) and up through the last 1.5 (U-boat Missions addon/Gold Edition), the magnification has been 1.0 and 4.0 with an Angular Angle of 62.4814. What does this mean to the average gamer? Short answer, you aren't going to get a proper view of the world. Also, you don't stand a chance of getting mast heights or ship lengths correct if you expect to use the Telemeter scope marks to help in counting. Actually, I believe the plan all along was to bastardize the U.S. game for the long held intention of putting the "Nazi's in the Pacific".
AND charge us extra to do it. Thanks UBI, you're a real peach!!
Sorry, I couldn't resist telling you what I think. I'm better now.
So, here's a couple of comparison images between the stock and the Optical Targeting Correction mod. First in low power magnification. The Akita is at 1000 yards range.
Now in High Power.
Is this the same view of the real world through the periscope. No, not at all (least I wouldn't know, I've never looked through a periscope). But it does accurately give us a relative perspective of the game world with a consistency that should enhance game play.
Look at the monitor you're reading this on. It's probably the same one you use to play the game. If not, it's very close to being the same. The point is, it's 2 dimensional!! Like it or not, there is no depth perception to it. None! Close one eye and the flat screen looks the same. Now, go to a window and take a look about. Then close one eye. You see the difference in your depth perception? This difference (or lack of) is what we see playing the game. We have no depth perception in the game because of this simple fact,
the image is reproduced on a flat, 2 dimensional monitor.
Did the real life captains enjoy using the naked eye to judge target assessments?
Heck yes, using the scopes single eyepiece gave them the same "lack of depth perception" one gets when covering one's eye. Of course, it's much better to have complete binocular vision than monocular. But, in the game we get monocular vision in the periscope
and on the bridge. Like it or not. In real life the Telemeter marks were put into the scopes lens to give the captain a basis for accurately determining targets heights and lengths without the aid of depth perception. Its my goal to have these marks corrected to the image the game displays to aid in the same way.
What the captains
did enjoy about the scope views were the magnifications. They could "bring in" the targets to get a better view than looking at it through the naked eye. There aren't many photos of periscope images but here's a few.
You can almost see the boys waving on the deck can't you!?!
If this is max magnification, how close do you suppose they are? The pictures don't tell you but I'm of the opinion they were darn close!! Which makes me wonder why in the world do we think the game image of a target should be so small we have to squint to see the mast head? I have no intention of changing the optics
just to see the target ships with better clarity. My plan is to provide the same optical parameters as the real life fleet boat, and do it so it is accurate within the game world that's provided. In doing this I believe the target will appear as close to what it should, with the added benefit of appearing closer than what the stock game provides. In other words, having a 50 foot dimension really read 50 feet in the game. Whether it truly is 50 feet in real world dimensions isn't important as long as the game thinks so. This is something I believe has been a long standing problem of modders using real world dimensions in the game. Using the ONI ship recognition reference to change ship dimensions and thinking this will solve any calculations the game makes. In my opinion the game is flawed in its view of the world. Using real world dimensions will be inaccurate. I'm not holding out hope for this,
but just maybe, correcting the optical view will allow a closer relationship of what the game portrays and what the real world view truly is.