[TEC] Convoy Commander / Destroyer Command II

[digitizedsoul]

So... with the title and obviousness aside, i'm just sure not to be the first putting those two titles in the same basket?

It seems the dev's have done quite a bit of the ground work, what with giving us a whole "mode" to control the AI ships, only it seems that there is extremely limited control over them. I know that obviously we would need to control the AI's sensors in order to have any effect on a submerged target, but somehow theres got to be a way to capture what the AI sensors are getting and the next logical steps would be to interpret that data into a 3d sensor of some kind, such as an active sonar return scope.

I'm just thinking out loud, but it just seems that this is a fantastic prospect, not just for multiplayer, but imagine doing a whole campain as a japanese destroyer / destroyer escort, or even a Yamato? I may be reaching high here, but this community leads me to believe i'm not

[digitizedsoul]

Hmm another challenge and i'm not sure how to approach it, is to get operating as a "convoy commander" out of just the multiplayer format, and be able to create missions using the mission editor that assign player units to non-submarine ships.

Maybe this is already possible? It should considering you can edit / make multiplayer missions correct?

[digitizedsoul]

Hmm ok continuing my vocal thoughts here...

If we have the capability of making a mission like the ones used when you do a MP convoy commander game, but yet make it a single player mission, that presents a problem of needing an AI sub to fire torpedos and stalk your convoy. I didn't even think about that.

In multiplayer obviously the sub's are player controlled, but in the single player environment this takes us back to the age old problem of not having torpedo firing AI subs in the game.

Hmm, the potential for massive surface battles is still there though. Think Battlestations Midway. Obviously very scripted, but man is it good for "fun factor" A far cry from a "simulation", but something to consider. And with the "addon" and what it contains having been announced, think of controlling surface ships, AND calling in for air support etc?

That seems very doable even if torp firing AI subs is not. Hey if you can't have a dozen donuts, take half a dozen!

[digitizedsoul]

Well as much as I enjoy conversing with myself (and I do it regularly don't get me wrong) I'd sure love some friendly conversational competition on this one

[digitizedsoul]

Wow ok so no one is interested in this, hmm while that is highly surprising, I am very interested in it so could some of you with knowledge of the file / file structures relating to my little project point me to a good starting point?

I don't see the need in learning basic 2+2 when you guys have already moved to college algebra if you know what I mean. This is my first swing at modding at all.

[Sonarman]

This sounds like a great idea ... but it may be worth waiting a while to see how much work the devs do for you in the form of the upcoming addon which gives us strategic control over surface + air forces.

[digitizedsoul]

Yep this is true.

I just know that they won't have this completely done, otherwise they would be advertising it as such, (destroyer command II) and be marketing it appropriately and also PRICING it appropriately. So that leads me to believe that a great deal of work will remain, and i'm just trying to get the fires lit so to speak early.

Yeah the addon will be awesome considering that the devs are not only opening up all those new avenues, but also packaging in other bug fixes that remain as well as a sort of patch 1.5. I'm very excited for it, but also impatient by nature :\

I just think it would be soooo fun to navigate a massive US warship out of pearl and be the flagship on a surface fleet headed to a major naval engagement. I know we didn't have much battleship action in the pacific theatre (for obvious reasons) but even a heavy cruiser would be fun. Firing those shells long range, ordering your DD's to make torpedo runs at the jap BB's.


Speaking of which, what ever happened to the promised feature of planes like kate's dropping actual torpedos? Did that never happen? I haven't heard it mentioned even in complain form in some time now...

[digitizedsoul]

No one have any input on kate torpedo bombers and their dropping of torps? If there is an AI routine for torps that those planes use, even if it isn't implemented in game (which is obviously isn't) that is something to work from. We already have subs @ periscope depth, at least we did in SH3.

Anyone?

[digitizedsoul]

Bump, for myself. No one else is posting anyway :|

[digitizedsoul]

Time to revive this thread. We are "Post addon" now, and I would really like to start working on this.

Can someone help me with the basics, what makes a unit "player controllable" and how would I go about beginning the tedious process of creating a new "interior"?

I want to pick a ship and stick with it, lets say an Iowa class BB. So I would need to model the bridge / helm area as that is where you'd stand. Perhaps we could use some Destroyer command stuff and spruce it up a bit texture wise.

Any ideas?

[Sonarman]

Probably your best bet is to talk to the guys working over on the fantastic PT-Boat mod for SH3 they have a lot of the right experience for that kind of project.

Hopefully the devs have taken notice that DCII came out top in my recent "If you were Ubisoft..." poll. And are thinking along those lines for the next game as you say with all the strategic code they are putting in, it's a pretty safe bet that things are moving in that direction.

[Jace11]

Priority... get it out of multiplayer... but then how do you do that as the game has no AI control for submerged subs... hence it is only available in multiplayer...