Mods help make the game more realistic in the technical aspect. However, realism is a contested term that is heavily promoted by those with a technocratic bent and I don't really like it. Most importantly, it focuses minds in a quite narrow area.
For example, is it realistic or historical that there are no air raids on German ports over the course of the war? Historically, entire port cities were laid waste to by the RAF, but you see none of this. Or what about the interaction with the crew? Ingame, they have the qualities of very simple robots, not human beings. Or what about life on shore? Is it realistic that this experience is reduced to awarding medals in an office? And what about the nature of the Nazi regime that you are, afer all, fighting for?
Rhetorical questions, obviously - but you see, when you follow the line of realism through, you end up in a
political position - which is something a lot of people who advocate "realism" would be uncomfortable with. Most prefer a
game to
pedagogic experience.
And the thing is, all those examples are, from a technical point of view, quite easy to implement.
(Ahem)
Anyway - that's my bit of sociological ranting over with for the day! My apologies. I'll get back to work now.
