My "somewhat biased" crystal ball of wishes...

[Silverleaf]

Greetings,

2008, a year in which new standards in Sub Simulation warfare were reached, due in part to Ubisoft's development of SH3, and this amazing community whom have pushed the limits to what realism can be. To you all, my sincerest gratitude and appreciation.

I will not speak here of SH 4 because I've not played it, but will say that I'm a massive fan of PTO settings and that someday - read January when I receive my University refund, an even newer system will come to join the four I already have.

Then my little SH4, you and I shall dance the dance...

*****

So here's what I like to call my "somewhat biased" crystal ball of wishes for 2009:

What I'd like to see:

1) An effort by Ubisoft to release the complete "limited edition" SH3 Ship Manual in pdf format. I'm not afraid to say I've searched the 3W for a copy, given I really want to use it as a basis for my own SH3 facsimile, complete with printed hard cover and all of the extra ships that this community has created. Pretty please Ubi - I've been a good little boy this year, buying your products, supporting your future endeavors, in short a pure brown nosing SOB.

2) I'd like to see Ubi step away from Subs and focus on a Carrier Sim similar to what SH3 has to offer. What you say?? Blaspheme?? this is SubSim for goodness sakes.. ah dear reader, please let me explain...

For me, the very idea of controlling my own carrier (or destroyer/frigate etc.) within the context of a game like SH3 makes me drool. Please understand I don't want to command an entire fleet on a massive campaign scale, or even on an Atlantic/Pacific level. Leave that to the MMORPG/Massive strategy games where a turn = a month etc.

No, I want to be one of the boats that receives orders from Admiral Nimitz/Yamamoto/Hitler and then carry them out. The idea of commanding my ship, and seeing how others are doing around me in the Task Force really calls to me. That I need to decide when to launch planes/refuel/recall/return to port/change tactics etc. has always been a driving force for me.

With SH3 and IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 released in 2006, you dear Ubi have fulfilled 2/3's of my fondest wish - to fight in the air (you even gave me the ability to land on a carrier!..OMG!!!), and under the water. All that's left is surface combat.

In a perfect world, I could command the carrier, then send out a squadron of Dauntless and Wildcats, join one of them in flight and assist in the attack on the enemy. Perhaps that's going too far, but I hope my point is valid.

3) I'd love to see the SDK released. If for no other reason than to see what this community can do. Sure, the code would be great, but one wish at a time.

4) Finally my last wish is that each and every person here has a joyous and bountiful Christmas, stockings filled with candy-coated dreams and new ships to sink.

Cheers,

R.S.

[Task Force]

Yea, ive been waiting for a good surface ship simulator for a while now.

[A Very Super Market]

Hmm... a surface ship simulator would be very interesting....

But surface ships are also a lot more complicated than u-boats, with multiple guns. They have to follow orders, they can't roam around, surface battles themselves are short, it'd be hard to make without boring the player

[Jimbuna]

I'd like to be able to play Johnny Walker in charge of a hunter killer surface group escorting the convoys for a change.

Who knows what we might get in SH5

[Silverleaf]

But surface ships are also a lot more complicated than u-boats, with multiple guns. They have to follow orders, they can't roam around, surface battles themselves are short, it'd be hard to make without boring the player

Absolutely correct, and that is part of the allure. In the same way parts of SH3 are tedious, a game will have some boring aspects when it deals with a subject that Simulates the real deal. I see historical, plausible, and certainly editable (on the fly) campaign/mission creation. BUT the key to a surface based game would be flexibility to set up complete campaigns on a whim, the ability to have multiple roles clearly defined, and tasks that are interesting and yet historically relevant.

Hard enough to keep 28 crewmen accounted for - imagine the pain if a "helper" style system wasn't available and you had to set crew rotations ad nauseum for 3000 crew men on the Yorktown.

What blows me away is the amount of members here at SubSim - and I should throw in a huge thank you to the owner of this site given it's fantabulous in so many ways - who would have thought this many people would play/design/mod for a WWII simulator. Makes me very proud. 8)

I'd like to be able to play Johnny Walker in charge of a hunter killer surface group escorting the convoys for a change.

I think that is part of the attraction - if it's done correctly. You want to play Walker, while I'd like the option of being Captain of the Yorktown, or perhaps a Junior Lieutenant whom get's to fly a plane (perhaps) or even lead a rescue mission.

Sure this is all conjecture, but man, just think of the possibilities.

Cheers and please keep your thoughts coming. 8)

[Red Heat]

A new Destroyer Command it was a cool idea!

[Sailor Steve]

I love the idea of a new Destroyer Command, especially for the multiplayer options.

On the other hand, I'd be happy to skipper a corvette or frigate back and forth across the convoy lanes and down the British east coast, even if I only saw two u-boats in an entire career.

[Scape]

If you want a good carrier sim tell Ubi to finish Harpoon 4. It's still a great engine just needs polish.

[Silverleaf]

If you want a good carrier sim tell Ubi to finish Harpoon 4. It's still a great engine just needs polish.

Harpoon 4 could very well be a title worth upgrading to a full surface simulation and better graphics. The problem for me is that Harpoon focuses on modern Carrier command.

[Kapt Z]

Originally Posted by A Very Super Market

Hmm... a surface ship simulator would be very interesting....

But surface ships are also a lot more complicated than u-boats, with multiple guns. They have to follow orders, they can't roam around, surface battles themselves are short, it'd be hard to make without boring the player

I agree. Subs are probably the most independent vessels as far as freedom of action since the frigate. Carriers, while fun are just too far up the food chain for truly 'independent' action.

Now there is something I'd go for- a Frigate sim! Set in the days of Napoleon! Horatio Hornblower and all that!

[Task Force]

It would be fun to be captain of a destroyer. You get a area to patrol. you have to sink enemy targets. like uboats, freighters, sometimes you might get called to a battle that is happening. (ex uboats attacking a convoy, or escorting a group of ships, bombarding shorelines (would be fun to be part of D- day.)

[mr chris]

I love the idea of having one all in one WWII sub game.
Where all sides and subs and theaters are playable.
Tis but a dream.
But i like to think one day....

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by mr chris

I love the idea of having one all in one WWII sub game.
Where all sides and subs and theaters are playable.
Tis but a dream.
But i like to think one day....

You never know Chris....perhaps one day eh.

[cj95]

I too am in love with Surface Warfare, and have bemoaned the fact that little was avaialble.


Good news however.

Storm Eagle jsut released JUTLAND recently and it's awesome!!

Sure you gotta step back to WWI, but just seeing those massive guns go off is amazing!!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by cj95

I too am in love with Surface Warfare, and have bemoaned the fact that little was avaialble.


Good news however.

Storm Eagle jsut released JUTLAND recently and it's awesome!!

Sure you gotta step back to WWI, but just seeing those massive guns go off is amazing!!

Do you have any screenshots or a link perhaps :hmm: