[scrapser]

Red Storm Rising had a story behind it. I think this is what made the game what it was. The problem with modern submarine warfare is all the "automation" (wire guided torpedoes, guided anti-surface cruise missiles, anti-air missiles, sonar buoys, decoys, etc.). The main focus is to remain as undetectable as possible and surface action is very limited and actually quite unorthodox, even more than may have occurred in WW2. It just doesn't have the same "hands on" feel to it in my opinion. I also don't see a lot of excitement in nuking an enemy surface fleet or land targets.

Years ago, Microprose was working on a title called, "Destroyer Command" which was supposed to compliment "Silent Service". You would be able to match wits against someone else playing Silent Service on a LAN (today that would be online). It never materialized but I always thought how cool it would be to be manning one of the destroyers escorting a convoy with the AI managing the other DD's. I think the next SH series should move in this direction. Improve the overall sim with lessons learned making SH3 and SH4, expand the "world" to include both ponds, and include being able to man a destroyer if you choose.

Best of all worlds! Most of it is already developed...just need to get the project okayed and a team assembled to put it together and hone the rough spots.