Want to get Silent Hunter 4, Questions

[MonnieRock]

Hello Everyone,
I live in Florida, USA and was shopping on Amazon when I saw the Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific Collector's Edition - Amazon Exclusive (PC DVD) Might sound silly but, I like the pretty books and added componets in this package. Would I be able to use this on my computer without problems of region codes?
Are there any problems if I got this version doing patches,updates,mods, and the Silent Hunter 4 Add On: U-Boat Missions? Or should I just forget the Collector's Edition and get the Silent Hunter 4: Gold Edition?

Do all versions, Collector's Edition,SH4 Gold,ETC, have Starforce for copy protection?
Does SH4 support Widescreen resolutions?
Does SH4 support multi-processor?


I have SH3 which I did not play much for two reasons. 1) Lack of time when I got it and lack of widescreen support without doing the D9*.* changes. 2) After installing, my DVD burner stopped working and never came back even after re-flashing the firmware NEC ND-6750A. Got a bad taste in my mouth from that.

I really wanted to get into Sub Simulations because I really like Flight Simulations and wanted to take a new venture. Seeing that SH4 has come out, want to give it another try and I now have more time to focus on it. I must say, one thing that held me back from putting SH3 back on my system is starforce. I just formatted and everything is running perfect and want it to stay that way.

Any other suggestons, comments,advice would be appreciated to get me into this realm of simulations as I look forward to an in-depth challenge.

Thank you,
Monnie

[SteamWake]

Go for the gold. It gives you all the patches plus some bonus content.

Yes to the copy protection.

However with the gold edition once installed you can shelve the disk.

Sorry to hear about the drive. I doubt that starforce cooked it though.

[tomoose]

Steamwake;
actually a lot of people reported screwed up drives after trying to install SH3 when it first came out. One of my online flight colleagues had his screwed up after installing the game. Needless to say he was mighty pissed. Starforce was yanked partially because of this but Ubi certainly was not going to admit to that, you can imagine the lawsuits!!

[Task Force]

Yes, starforce and programs like it cause havick on HDs.

[MonnieRock]

Hello Steamwake,Tomoose,Task Force,

What other bonus features are included with SH4 Gold?
That is a "Yes" that SH4 uses Starforce?
Does SH4 support Widescreen resolutions?
Would there be a problem if I got the UK Collector's DVD with region settings?
Does SH4 support Multi-processors?
Is there one "complete" MOD package that is a " All in one" install?


Thank you,
Monnie

[Sailor Steve]

As SteamWake said, don't order it online. Walk into the nearest Wal-Mart or Best Buy and get SH4 Gold. It comes with all the patches built in, including 1.5 which contains the U-boat stuff.

SH4 doesn't use Starforce, but it uses something else that some people have warned about. I don't recall hearing any complaints involving serious problems, though.

People play it with widescreen all the time.

Can't tell you about processors and regional settings, but if you buy Gold locally it won't be a problem.

There is no 'all-in-one' mod package, because there are many mods that do essentially the same things. Everybody will tell you to get Real Fleet Boat or Trigger Maru, both of which take different approaches to enhancing the game, so they are mutually exclusive.

Stick around, check out the mods boards, ask a lot of questions. Some will complain that they've been asked such-and-such too many times, but the great majority will help.

WELCOME ABOARD!