In the everlasting search for that extra bit of immersion I try to use voice comms whenever possible with my sims and SHIV is no exception. I've created a profile for Shift_E's excellent Voice Activated Commands (VAC) software (
http://www.dwvac.com/) which allows me to speak the sort of commands a sub skipper would have been able to do for real.
I mention it here so that others can give it a go if you desire, PM me with your email addy and I'll forward it on. If its any good maybe I can get it hosted hereabouts for other Subsim members to benefit.
A few notes:
I have not included ALL the key commands available, just the ones likely to be spoken by a skipper ie manoevering commands and firing commands. The beauty of VAC is the ease with which aditional commands can be added so feel free to edit the profile as you see fit.
I'm no sub expert and most of my limited knowledge of 'sub speak' comes from Hollywood and the in game voices themselves so apologies in advance for any querkiness.
The 'All Stop' command may vary depending on your keyboard setup: the keycard shows it as being the `/¬ key at the top left of the kbd but on my UK kbd it is the '/@ key near my return key.
The up scope command is assigned to the attack periscope only as there is no kbd shortcut for the obs periscope. Also the raising/lowering of the attack scope is accomplised by holding down the 'page up' or 'page down' key - to facilitate this I have programmed a 10 second keypress into VAC for the relevant key to allow the scope to raise/lower the full distance. When the scope is lowered you will automaticaly be returned to the comand room.
When firing torpedoes I have included a cycle tubes command into the process so that the next tube is automatically selected for firing. This allows you to say 'Fire one', 'Fire two' etc even though the command is the same. I've also included the 'Open Tube Door' command so that this can be done before firing. The 'Cycle Tubes' command will allow you to select different tubes if you get out of sequence for whatever reason.
QUESTION: One command that is only accessible from the menus in the General Quarters/Battle Stations command. I would like to add this to my profile so does anybody know if a kbd shortcut can be assigned to this command?
Listed below are the actions and phrases I've completed so far, any suggestions for amendments and corrections will be greatly received.
Action: Up Attack Periscope
Phrase 1: Up Scope
Action: Surface
Phrase 1: Surface the Boat
Action: Silent Running
Phrase 1: Rig for Silent Running
Action: Secure Silent Running
Phrase 1: Secure from Silent Running
Action: Rudder Amidships
Phrase 1: Rudder Amidships
Action: Periscope depth
Phrase 1: Take her to Periscope depth
Action: Open Tube Door
Phrase 1: Open Tube Door
Action: Hard to Starboard
Phrase 1: Right full rudder
Action: Hard to Port
Phrase 1: Left full rudder
Action: Fire two
Phrase 1: Fire two
Action: Fire three
Phrase 1: Fire three
Action: Fire six
Phrase 1: Fire six
Action: Fire one
Phrase 1: Fire one
Action: Fire four
Phrase 1: Fire four
Action: Fire five
Phrase 1: Fire five
Action: Emergency Surface
Phrase 1: Blow Main Ballast Emergency Surface
Action: Down Attack Periscope
Phrase 1: Down Scope
Action: Dive
Phrase 1: Dive Dive Dive
Action: Cycle Tubes
Phrase 1: Cycle Tubes
Action: Crash Dive
Phrase 1: Crash Dive Crash Dive
Action: Back two thirds
Phrase 1: Back Standard
Action: Back one third
Phrase 1: Back slow
Action: Back Full
Phrase 1: Back Full
Action: Back Emergency
Phrase 1: Back Emergency
Action: All stop
Phrase 1: All stop
Action: Ahead two thirds
Phrase 1: Ahead Slow
Action: Ahead Standard
Phrase 1: Ahead Standard
Action: Ahead one third
Phrase 1: Ahead one third
Action: Ahead full
Phrase 1: Ahead full
Action: Ahead Flank
Phrase 1: Ahead Flank
Happy Hunting,
WB.