Fighting Steel and the GNB series

[ZombieLenin]

Hey guys,

I've lurked on this form for a long, long time. I was inspired to post this because I discovered a couple of things. First, Fighting Steel can work on windows 8! Yay. I'm having an issue though, I've got no idea how to get the Fighting Steel installer to actually install the game on a windows 8 machine. Try as I might, the installer vanishes after asking permission to install the title and does nothing. I was wondering if any of you all could point me in the direction of instructions for installing the game on new machines! After I get it from disk to hard drive, I should have no problems... its the getting it there!

Second, I was able to get ALL of the GNB titles to run on DOSbox with sound. I just thought I'd share, if anyone is interested in playing these games. The process involves downloading copies of the game that aren't pre-unzipped and come with the old SSI installer. Mounting a file as a cdrom in addition to as a C: drive, and running the installer.

I did have a related question though. Does anyone know where I can download GNBNA mods & scenarios? I've gotten the single campaign alteration still readily available... BUT I have fond memories of Sealion campaign mod that someone actually had to physically mail me back in the prodigy days. I spent hours and hours as a teenager mucking around with that! Unfortunately, I can only find a single campaign mod on the internet for GNBNA...

[ZombieLenin]

Okay, since no one has any solution for me to install Fighting Steel I've got a few questions about GNB4.

1. Is there a way to turn on hit notifications a la GNBNA? Relatedly, is there any way to look through the range finder when you have your main guns set on manual fire?

I find it pretty difficult to discern how well my ships are doing in combat, without hit notifications. Not only do I not want to sit in the lookout station 90% of the firefight--praying I'll be able to figure out when my shells are connecting--it also be nice to get reports when other ships in the task force are hit! As it is, my only indication that the ship I'm currently viewing has taken damage is the audio of the impact.

The rangefinders problem is a big one too. It's really hard to manually control main batteries when you have no idea how well you've spotted. It seems silly to have to jump to the lookout station to track your brackets and THEN jump back to the main guns.

2. (Complaint Incoming) What's with the damage model? I really do not like how SSI switched from the 4--highly abstracted--"decks" a ship can take damage to the 2 present in GNB4.

The first time playing the tutorial (battle of Denmark Straight) I managed to get Bismarck sunk with only 6 hits. This is totally unrealistic, magazine hits aside. During the actual battle of Denmark Straight both KMS Bismarck and HMS Prince of Wales took as many hits, and while damaged, neither was in any danger of foundering. GNBNA had a terrible UI, but it was realistic--you could empty your magazines in a dreadnought duel, and only cripple your opponent.

To be fair though, since I don't have hit notifications I have no idea how many shells are penetrating with each hit.

3. Were there any expansions to GNB4 that added the "Blue Sky" battleships (planned or started and never finished)? I'd love to play around with the Montana, Lion and H classes.

[Gargamel]

All I have to add is that GNB was one of my favorites years ago. I too still enjoy it on DosBOX

[Aktungbby]

Welcome aboard ZombieLenin;

[TinCanWolf]

I have GNB4: Guadalcanal and I can't play it because I don't have the book, so I can't star the campaign.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome ZombieLenin

[ZombieLenin]

Originally Posted by TinCanWolf

I have GNB4: Guadalcanal and I can't play it because I don't have the book, so I can't star the campaign.

There is a way to turn off the copy protection using a hex editor. I wouldn't be the best person to ask how though!

[Gerald]