[TorpX]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

I'm not sure why you say that the sensor stations would be superfluous. ...

I don't mean to criticize your philosophy here. If you enjoy playing in this style, by all means do it. What I meant to say is that, if everyone just wanted to be the captain, and nothing else, there would be little need for most of the other stations. I don't think the captain was able to look over the shoulder of the radar or sonar operator as much in RL as happens in the movies. I'm not saying it didn't happen; I just don't think it occurred very often. I'll concede your point about the intercom, though.

If the sim were properly designed, the captain's job should be more than enough workload to keep me busy, anyway. To me, adding historically inappropriate tasks just to keep the workload high reflects weak design.

Well, this is a matter of opinion. I certainly disagree with the "historically inappropriate" part. Who says we must only play the part of the captain? Sure we can if we want to, but this would end up leading us to conducting almost the whole patrol, going between the charts and the periscope/ TBT.

As to the workload part, the game captain's workload is a good deal less than what a RL skipper would have. RL captains had to please their superiors, arrange for repairs, deal with replacing personnel, work out watch bills, handle any personality conflicts, and drill-drill drill... A captain had to do a lot of work just to make the boat ready for sea. Our game crews are more like cardboard cut-outs than living, breathing men, so this aspect of command is almost totally negated.

Of course, I realize many want to play your way. Fortunately, we have a choice (within limits, anyway).