The Silent Hunter IV (Pacific Campaign) WISH-LIST

[zaza]

Originally Posted by stinger503

Japanese subs are a must: think about it, you could start off in a two man midget sub or something and move up from there, then you could be a mother sub and fire midget subs or something. plus it would have a learning curve ex. going from the easy pre-US war days to the US-Japanese war, thus extending the war for you

New missions from HQ ex. attack the Panama Canal, raid Pearl Harbour, hunt other sub or ship etc. maybe add in secret missions ex. delivering atom bombs to Germany or testing out a new sub etc.

wolfpacks

I agree.And I want go　Niuginia area islands as supply sub.
IJN have used new submarine such as Jyunsen typeB for that operation.
That mission will be exciting! Because they cant dive so deep, US PT boats and planes
are try to attacking sub when we reach to islands.

1. I would also like to see realistic sailors on the ships (both enemy and friendly) walking the decks, directing planes on carriers, manning gun mounts, coming in and out of hatches and passageways.

2. I like the idea of not dying if the submarine is 100% damaged by being able to give the order to abandon ship with different outcomes depending on several different variables.

3. I would actually not like to see a game like SHIII again. I don't like the fact that the game is predetermined from the get go. I would like to have the game played out more like Chess. I think this would make the game feel more "unpredictable" and make the player feel that he has something to contribute to the final outcome. I realize that no one submarine was responsible for the winning of WWII but I do think that for each ship you sink there should be points given overall that help to aid in the final outcome. For instance...


The world is at war. In this particular game the variables at the beginning are as followed.

Japanese strength 50% overall @ 100% on every asset (this includes panes, trucks, ships, troops, etc)

US strength 50% overall @ 100% on every asset as well.


For each enemy ship the player sub sinks points will be added to the US side if playing as a US submarine. These points could be smaller or larger depending on the importance of the ship sunk, like a BB with an Admiral on it. These points will be added into the total weekly totals at the end of each game week to show that the player submarine contributed to the total overall success or failure for the week. For each week that passes each of the country's overall strength will either grow or shrink depending on ALL engagements for that game week. It could be possible that the player submarine sunk a BB and a CV that week but the Japanese Army overran a large island with an airport that was more important to them than the CV that was lost or the BB.

Overall that week the Japanese would have won in the weekly tallies but not by much considering that they did lose a carrier and a BB. The next week the US Marine Corps might overun that Island again in the US's favor and now things for the US are looking very good since they haven't lost a carrier or a BB yet and now have control of the island as well for even more air supremecy over Japan who is now short a CV, a BB, and and Island with a strategic airport.


Anyways, I think you all understand what I am getting at. I want a WAR happening around me that is NOT pre-determined. SHIII is a great game for the graphics and the realism of sailing in a realistic looking game world. But the knowledge of knowing how the game will end before you even install it onto the HD kind of removes any sense of accomplishment out of it. Some folks want a game that is like this because they claim that it is "REAL" and it's the way the it happened. <BORING> I want something that is REAL also but I want to feel like I am LIVING in it and the outcome is NOT fixed, making it feel even more REAL and like I am living in it. I want the REAL weapons, I want the REAL ships, I want the REAL planes, and I want REAL engagements to happen (like Midway, Coral Sea, Iwa Jima, etc. ) but I want to REALLY live it and have things happen on a 50/50 scale so that things aren't written in stone. Otherwise the game feels more like a time machine and I might as well just sit back and watch the inevitable happen with my arms crossed and my eyes half shut telling the skipper, "Don't worry Sir, nothing important is happening today, and the Japanese will surrender to us on Sept. 2, 1945."


4. ALSO, DEAD IS DEAD. If I sink the Yamato in the game that mofo BETTER NOT show back up in that ENTIRE game unless I start a new career. I've lost count of know how many King George BBs I have sank in the same career in SHIII. When something in SHIV is sunk I want it GONE for good.

[Safe-Keeper]

2. I like the idea of not dying if the submarine is 100% damaged by being able to give the order to abandon ship with different outcomes depending on several different variables.

If I may be so bold, the "hull integrity" ("hit points") system just does not fit into a simulator game. Hull integrity of parts of the hull, maybe. But a single count for the whole thing? Not likely.

4. ALSO, DEAD IS DEAD. If I sink the Yamato in the game that mofo BETTER NOT show back up in that ENTIRE game unless I start a new career. I've lost count of know how many King George BBs I have sank in the same career in SHIII. When something in SHIV is sunk I want it GONE for good.

Quoted for truth. Same with random names for vessels.

I'm not sure if I like the idea of you affecting the war's outcome, to be honest. To a tiny degree, yes. Heavily? No.

Suggestion: A.I. submarines that move, dive, shoot, fire torpedoes accurately, and generally act submarineish.

Japanese subs are a must: think about it, you could start off in a two man midget sub or something and move up from there, then you could be a mother sub and fire midget subs or something. plus it would have a learning curve ex. going from the easy pre-US war days to the US-Japanese war, thus extending the war for you

No need, just include them in the game and make the game very moddable so we can do that ourselves.

Anyone ever played X-Wing Alliance? Every vessel and station had an entry in a file called shiplist.txt, and the entry contained the words "Flyable" and "Nonflyable". You could make everything in the game player-controlled by changing those entries. Some bugs were involved (all vessels, even capital ships, could only fire forwards, and they all had the generic civilian fighter pilot cockpit), but it was fairly neat anyway.

Something like that would be nice for Silent Hunter IV. I don't care if I wind up driving a destroyer with a Gato-sub interior (or other funny anomalies). Just let us mod it and see what we get. I promise you, there'll be an unofficial "Surface Command" mod out that lets you drive surface vessels in a month, and a mod that has fully modelled interiors for at least one new vessel in a year.

Suggestion: Implement a captain's log (edittable in-game as well as outside of it, and saveable in HTML format for distribution and safe-keeping). Allows you to make your own entires and also automatically records sinking, transfers of crew, mission orders and how they were resolved, upgrades/repairs/damage, radio traffic, etc. In short, a detailed report on whatever important happens, akin to how SH3 Commander does it.

In addition, separate tables that record sinkings, transfers, etc. separately, for easy reference.

Sample log entry (feel free to comment any historical details, I'm "just writing" this):

Captain's Log, USS AMAZON
Gato-Class, commissioned 1/11/1942
Lt. Oeyvind W(full name emitted for privacy reasons:p) in command.

First entry: 2/5/1943
Last entry:

- - -

IN BASE
Base: Pearl Harbour.

Assumed command of boat.

New crew member: Sebastian Andrews.
Threw chickens out of Command Centre.
Threw out Frensen's socks.
Disinfected Frensen's feet by means of standard initiation procedure.
Received new pair of socks.
Damage repaired from earlier patrol:

- Depth gauge [damaged - measurement off by 20 metres].
- Forward Hull Plating [minor punctures].
- Starboard Propeller [partly shattered].
- Flak Cannon [overheated].

PATROL 1
2/5/1943
Base: Pearl Harbour.
Mission: Recon Manila, the Phillipines. Photograph shore defences and anchored warships.
Left base at 0736 Hrs.
Weather: Clear, wind strenght breeze, direction NW. No fog or precipitation.

Have started my first patrol with the USS AMAZON. Crew in excellent spirits.

Radio message received.
2/9, 2101 Hours.
SOS Distress Call received from S/S Island-wind.
[Position here, long and lat]
Vessel's radio operator reported ship was damaged severely by hurricane and would not stay afloat for long.

Have changed course to rescue crew of 4.

As the only vessel remotely close enough to help, we've been given a
rescue mission. Crew disgruntled. Navigation Officer Jack Svenssen
suggested painting Red Crosses on conning tower.

2/9, 2102 Hrs.
Radio message received.
Informed Command of situation. Orders were given to rescue crew members.

2/10, 1158 Hrs.
Life-Boat Sighted.
[Position here, long and lat]
Single life boat with 4 persons on board.

Survivors of life-boat taken aboard. Confirmed they were
S/S Islandwind survivors.

2/10, 1211 Hrs.
Radio message sent.
Informed Command of situation. Orders were given to disembark crewmen at Midway.

2/17, 802 Hrs.
Arrived in harbour.
Re-fuelled.
Disembarked passengers.

2/17, 802 Hrs.
ORDERS ACCOMPLISHED
S/S Islandwind survivors rescued and transported to safety.
New orders are to return to original recon mission.

2/17, 1249 Hrs.
Departed harbour

And so on. List everything that happens. The notes on spirits and Red Crosses were the captains' notes, added by the player. Everything else is generated.

[Edward Trapp]

i suppose my complaint with SH3 apart from the bugs would be as follows


:- independant control of both left and right props

:- choose between running on deisels or electrics while surfaced

:- control of diveplanes

:- a sightly more advanced damage control system

:- a patrol system similar to the one used in the original silent hunter game

:- return of the narwhal class from the original silent hunter game

:- the creation of a destroyer command 2 (this was silent hunter II's only saving grace in my opinion and was extreamly enjoyable)

:- Damage to the Sub if it is forced through a storm at full speed (a more realistic approch here would be nice and would make the weather more of a factor when chasing ships and convoys)

[Medenine]

As well as the US and Japanese I would love to see Dutch and especially British boats? Both played an important part in areas such as the Malacca Straits and the Java Sea. British subs included could be the T class which saw extensive use and was a success in the shallow waters.
Also if you want to expand I would like the possibilty to command midget subs as both the British and Japanese used them extensivly. 'X craft' missions of sinking ships in port by amotol explosives (Takao, Singapore 1945) and also the use of Japanese midgets at Pearl Harbour.
I could go mad but I will mention raiding parties, the use of spotter aircraft on Japanese I-boats, mine laying, etc...

Just think, if you played Japanese you could get a message "Captain, your first mission is to drive a kaiten. If you should survive it will be assumed you chickened out, and you will be shot for cowardice. It's been nice knowing you.":rotfl:

[Safe-Keeper]

Hopefully, the game has

1. AI submarines of Japan as well as the US subs (said subs, as all other torpedo-armed vessels and planes, had better fire them intelligently, too), and
2. Enough moddability to allow fans to create a "driveable Jap sub" mod.

Other than that, or an expansion pack, I can't imagine that Ubisoft will be making more than one nation playable. It'd be nice, but way too much work (even more so than implementing a tenth of my suggestions alone, which says a lot:p).

[tautug]

In addition to the many other great comments I have 3 wishes.

I have done 2 tours of Hawaii, SW Pacific/Pearl Harbor. All I can say is the scenery is gorgeous. Granted, most time will be at sea, but I wish for the following to enhance the "realism" as a sim.

a.) When in Port (Australia, Hawaii, Midway, etc.) Lush scenery and Tidy Bowl blue water!!! Watch any WWII Pacific Theatre movie, and you can't help but love seeing sailors in their kahky's or dress white's walking through the palm trees and sandy beaches. Some in port element to capture the glamour of Pacific Islands, would make me feel more "there". Perhaps more to do in port could be incorporated with this. i.e. a bar to go to and talk to other sailors, movie scenes where you are in meetings with upper brass or get briefed on special missions??? You get the idea

b.) Speaking of Special Missions, the Dynamic Campaign is a must but PLEASE build into it, historic ops. i.e. during your campaign, at the right historical timing, your boat get's called into a special op, or special mission. Other US ships might be there, and if so, have communique with them, etc. It could just be a recon mission, or spy drop off but don't make me feel alone at sea, I'm in a "fleet" boat, because we were part of a team.

c.) More interaction on the boat with crew. In SH3 I'm still a bit bored and feel alone. I want to walk my gorgeous fleet boat and see that shiny brass and stainless steel plating, and the big steel "general Electric" on the motor controls. Fleet boats were cruise ships compared to U-Boats. The galley and mess hall were like eating in an art deco cafeteria. They had full showers and bathrooms, officers cabins, etc.... I want to see my boat, and my crew working. I want to see real damage happening and damage control crews to work on fixing.

d.) OK, I said 3, but I want 4, multiple damage control capabilities. I should be able to assign a main damage control group to handle things, but in a multiple damage situation, I would like to split my crew into 2 or 3 units to fix problems.

e.) Darn, make it 5. Sleep mode. i.e. when in transit in the pacific, have captain go to cabin, and sleep. You will wake up at an adjustable time, and you will only be awaken by a sighting or sounding or urgent message or if weather turns sour.

[DeepSix]

Originally Posted by tautug

d.) OK, I said 3, but I want 4, multiple damage control capabilities. I should be able to assign a main damage control group to handle things, but in a multiple damage situation, I would like to split my crew into 2 or 3 units to fix problems.

That's an excellent idea.

[Medenine]

Originally Posted by tautug

In addition to the many other great comments I have 3 wishes.

I have done 2 tours of Hawaii, SW Pacific/Pearl Harbor. All I can say is the scenery is gorgeous. Granted, most time will be at sea, but I wish for the following to enhance the "realism" as a sim.

a.) When in Port (Australia, Hawaii, Midway, etc.) Lush scenery and Tidy Bowl blue water!!! Watch any WWII Pacific Theatre movie, and you can't help but love seeing sailors in their kahky's or dress white's walking through the palm trees and sandy beaches. Some in port element to capture the glamour of Pacific Islands, would make me feel more "there". Perhaps more to do in port could be incorporated with this. i.e. a bar to go to and talk to other sailors, movie scenes where you are in meetings with upper brass or get briefed on special missions??? You get the idea

b.) Speaking of Special Missions, the Dynamic Campaign is a must but PLEASE build into it, historic ops. i.e. during your campaign, at the right historical timing, your boat get's called into a special op, or special mission. Other US ships might be there, and if so, have communique with them, etc. It could just be a recon mission, or spy drop off but don't make me feel alone at sea, I'm in a "fleet" boat, because we were part of a team.

c.) More interaction on the boat with crew. In SH3 I'm still a bit bored and feel alone. I want to walk my gorgeous fleet boat and see that shiny brass and stainless steel plating, and the big steel "general Electric" on the motor controls. Fleet boats were cruise ships compared to U-Boats. The galley and mess hall were like eating in an art deco cafeteria. They had full showers and bathrooms, officers cabins, etc.... I want to see my boat, and my crew working. I want to see real damage happening and damage control crews to work on fixing.

d.) OK, I said 3, but I want 4, multiple damage control capabilities. I should be able to assign a main damage control group to handle things, but in a multiple damage situation, I would like to split my crew into 2 or 3 units to fix problems.

e.) Darn, make it 5. Sleep mode. i.e. when in transit in the pacific, have captain go to cabin, and sleep. You will wake up at an adjustable time, and you will only be awaken by a sighting or sounding or urgent message or if weather turns sour.

That is an awesome selection of ideas especially the sleep mode.
I concur!

[Safe-Keeper]

I have done 2 tours of Hawaii, SW Pacific/Pearl Harbor. All I can say is the scenery is gorgeous. Granted, most time will be at sea, but I wish for the following to enhance the "realism" as a sim.

When in Port (Australia, Hawaii, Midway, etc.) Lush scenery and Tidy Bowl blue water!!! Watch any WWII Pacific Theatre movie, and you can't help but love seeing sailors in their kahky's or dress white's walking through the palm trees and sandy beaches. Some in port element to capture the glamour of Pacific Islands, would make me feel more "there".

I agree, scenery (terrain, trees, buildings, etc.) could be far better, and I have this feeling they will be.

As long as it's a graphics option, I don't see anything wrong with it. If it isn't, I'll have to say no, as it'll lag the game for those of us who don't have super-computers.

Perhaps more to do in port could be incorporated with this. i.e. a bar to go to and talk to other sailors, movie scenes where you are in meetings with upper brass or get briefed on special missions??? You get the idea

I don't really like the idea of an RPG element, to be honest. I'd rather focus on the simulation of the submarine patrols.

b.) Speaking of Special Missions, the Dynamic Campaign is a must but PLEASE build into it, historic ops. i.e. during your campaign, at the right historical timing, your boat get's called into a special op, or special mission. Other US ships might be there, and if so, have communique with them, etc. It could just be a recon mission, or spy drop off but don't make me feel alone at sea, I'm in a "fleet" boat, because we were part of a team.

I agree there need to be more historical stuff, but you should only be called to them if they really need you. Nothing to stop you from going over there anyway, you know.

c.) More interaction on the boat with crew. In SH3 I'm still a bit bored and feel alone. I want to walk my gorgeous fleet boat and see that shiny brass and stainless steel plating, and the big steel "general Electric" on the motor controls. Fleet boats were cruise ships compared to U-Boats. The galley and mess hall were like eating in an art deco cafeteria. They had full showers and bathrooms, officers cabins, etc.... I want to see my boat, and my crew working. I want to see real damage happening and damage control crews to work on fixing.

You're not the only one. I don't think it's a that important thing, but I wouldn't exactly mind seeing it, either.

d.) OK, I said 3, but I want 4, multiple damage control capabilities. I should be able to assign a main damage control group to handle things, but in a multiple damage situation, I would like to split my crew into 2 or 3 units to fix problems.

Not a bad idea at all.

e.) Darn, make it 5. Sleep mode. i.e. when in transit in the pacific, have captain go to cabin, and sleep. You will wake up at an adjustable time, and you will only be awaken by a sighting or sounding or urgent message or if weather turns sour.

Again, that's more of an RPG element, so I don't really like it, to be honest. I just consider myself sleeping some of the time the time compression is set to 1024.

[Agrippa]

I haven't posted in this thread yet, and because it's so long I haven't read the whole thing, so I apologize if I make a suggestion someone else has already made (I doubt very much that my ideas will be terribly original).

1. I'd like to see other ships in port. As far as I'm concerned, that's the only scenary improvement that needs to be made.

2. The option to "Exit Patrol" while at sea, like in SH3, but one that doesn't automatically teleport you back home. Sometimes, after a successful patrol, or one where I've used up all my torpedoes because my aim is off (or both), I don't want to sit around with the time compression maxed out waiting to go back home. But for reasons of realism, I don't want to be instantaneously transported back to base. So, if surfaced with no contacts around, you should be able to exit the mission, but the computer should trace a path back to you base at the optimum speed, and have you docked in port on the day and time it would have taken you to do it yourself. This is still a cheat, because it allows you to go home without being detected, but would save a lot of dull time at sea just waiting to get home.

3. People have mentioned this before about SH3: There should at least be the a realism setting to have occasional breakdown of equipment while at sea. Along with this should be more crew injuries than there is in SH3--I can count on one hand the number of crewmen I've had wounded or killed in action (excluding times when I'm sunk, and everybody dies).

4. some more precision when moving the periscope. I don't know how many times I've gotten the wrong distance of a target because the periscope moves too much at the slightest mouse movement.

5. This may sound odd, but I'd like to have a less-than-perfect weapons officer. I don't like having to either do all the torpedo work myself, or having the weapons officer do it perfectly. That officer (if not all the officers) should have a skill level that could increase with time, that effects his accuracy. Just having an officer who's accuracy could be off by as much as 5% could make a huge difference in making a torpedo attack--am I more accurate than my own weapons officer? Would my decision change if I thought my officer would become more accurate by letting him do it, even if it meant missing with this attack?

6. I mentioned this in another thread, but more flexability with the realism options, and to know more about what each option means in game terms. For example, I find the "god map mode" or whatever it's called (where every ship in view of your sub is located accurately on the nave map) to be way too easy, but I also occasionally find "no god mode" too difficult. I'd like a middle option, say something where bearing lines are placed on the map instead of completely accutate postings, a middle option between god mode and no god mode. Just having three settings instead of two ("easy" "medium" and "realistic") would be nice. I like options, and the ability to tailor the realism more to what I want to play at that moment, as I often use different settings at different times, depending on my mood.

Originally Posted by Agrippa

I haven't posted in this thread yet, and because it's so long I haven't read the whole thing, so I apologize if I make a suggestion someone else has already made (I doubt very much that my ideas will be terribly original).

1. I'd like to see other ships in port. As far as I'm concerned, that's the only scenary improvement that needs to be made.

Well, except for the above mentioned tropical foliage. I agree about the ships, but they've made it easy enough for us to do that.

2. The option to "Exit Patrol" while at sea, like in SH3, but one that doesn't automatically teleport you back home. Sometimes, after a successful patrol, or one where I've used up all my torpedoes because my aim is off (or both), I don't want to sit around with the time compression maxed out waiting to go back home. But for reasons of realism, I don't want to be instantaneously transported back to base. So, if surfaced with no contacts around, you should be able to exit the mission, but the computer should trace a path back to you base at the optimum speed, and have you docked in port on the day and time it would have taken you to do it yourself. This is still a cheat, because it allows you to go home without being detected, but would save a lot of dull time at sea just waiting to get home.

Personally I think that would be a waste of resources, but on the whole it's not a bad idea. In Silent Service you used the mouse to drag your boat all around the Pacific while in a time compression so high you watched the map change from day to night every few seconds.

3. People have mentioned this before about SH3: There should at least be the a realism setting to have occasional breakdown of equipment while at sea. Along with this should be more crew injuries than there is in SH3--I can count on one hand the number of crewmen I've had wounded or killed in action (excluding times when I'm sunk, and everybody dies).

Agreed. Crew sickness has also been mentioned.

4. some more precision when moving the periscope. I don't know how many times I've gotten the wrong distance of a target because the periscope moves too much at the slightest mouse movement.

You use the MOUSE to move the periscope? I use the Arrow Keys. Holding down the Shift Key increases the rate of movement; using the Control Key slows it way down and gives all the precision I need.

5. This may sound odd, but I'd like to have a less-than-perfect weapons officer. I don't like having to either do all the torpedo work myself, or having the weapons officer do it perfectly. That officer (if not all the officers) should have a skill level that could increase with time, that effects his accuracy. Just having an officer who's accuracy could be off by as much as 5% could make a huge difference in making a torpedo attack--am I more accurate than my own weapons officer? Would my decision change if I thought my officer would become more accurate by letting him do it, even if it meant missing with this attack?

Not only does it NOT sound odd, but many people have mentioned it before. I agree; a less-than-perfect XO/Weapons Officer would be a wonderful addition.

6. I mentioned this in another thread, but more flexability with the realism options, and to know more about what each option means in game terms. For example, I find the "god map mode" or whatever it's called (where every ship in view of your sub is located accurately on the nave map) to be way too easy, but I also occasionally find "no god mode" too difficult. I'd like a middle option, say something where bearing lines are placed on the map instead of completely accutate postings, a middle option between god mode and no god mode. Just having three settings instead of two ("easy" "medium" and "realistic") would be nice. I like options, and the ability to tailor the realism more to what I want to play at that moment, as I often use different settings at different times, depending on my mood.

Have you tried the Assisted Plotting Mod? For me it does exactly what you describe. Again I agree; it would be nice to see something like that implemented in the game.

[MENTAT]

Sorry if those are mentioned before, after reading 2 pages i assumed 8 pages will take forever to read.

NOT BOUND TO SINGLE NATION.
PLease please and please let multiple nations available to be choosen by player. I want to play as japan and throw some oxygen torpedoes on yanks! If all the world is playable then it will be a true masterpiece for i will jump on my IX and head for philipines!!! (By this way more historical missions will be available like carrying uranium to japan with an IX)

CREW MANAGEMENT.
It would be nice to see Panic factor added. Damage control parties should be more flexible and could be dividable. (mentioned before) these are essential. And if its gonna be realistic, food supply factor must be added. Fuel is not the only limit in a sub. Also i agree the idea that offers not to bother each and every crew i shall place to their stations. It must be done by a petty officer or something. ship medic must be made a more needed charecter(diseases, lice).

*Damage situations should be improved: Flooding must be visually animated to see show the player its severity. In crew management screen players should be able to see flooding level and Maybe a compartment must be able to be closed to control flooding etc. Damage control teams must be represented (preferely animated) on the submarine map, which compartment they are in and how many people are working with pumps, and how many are struggling with repairs etc.

MORE ANIMATIONS.
*For eye candy is important for the most of the people playing this game, i suggest More animationssss.. i want to see my crew taking in the gigantic torpedo from outside to inside, i want to see them with my own eyes! I want to see minor repairs on the deck while patrol goes on sea animated, and most importantly, it must take some time to man the deck gun, or to go up in bridge or to clear the bridge... Its almost done instantaneously in SH3.
*For exterior(3D) animations as stated above, in addition to that i prefer to see lots of 2D animations on the submarine map, (Crew management screen) people are doing their jobs, maintanances, eating meals, cleaning, repairing, sleeping... struggling with damages (when flooding) climbing to the bridge or manning the deck gun one by one (removing the taps from weapons) carrying ammunition from below to the deck etc. It will be fabilous to see them that way as it will give you the feeling "There are living people in this boat" Actually this feeling of "commanding a living structure" will change things a lot. Since they are 2D, i belive they are much more easier and quicker to create.

FULLY AVAILABLE INTERIOR.
Players should be able to move in the entire boat. To see people in action. See damage & flooding in place.

WIDE VARIETY OF OPTIONS.
Please improve the relism settings, add more and more options to the players, also i still insist that players should be given an option to play more "hollywood style". Give them the option to choose "historical timeline" or "hollywood style" in the options screen(at the start of a new campaign) . Shortly, in hollywood style, Increase the variety of upgrades. Let them to choose their ammunition for flak, replace torpedoes for mines for mining missions. The ability to remove deck-gun for room for additional batteries? Experimental weapons (YES) and equipment awards for most extraordinary succeses. YEA! There has to be a way to get those new babies before its time!!!

*There must be better ways of spending renowns. Create ultimate desires to strive for! Nothing is out of reach in SH3! Air strike calls? Air supplies? (Ok dont laugh but why not in a hollywood style game?)

*Let players to spend some time between patrols, put a nightclub in base, let commanders to have some choices to increase their crews morale in a limited time in a wide range of options spending Renown/prestige points on some activites for motivation. (morale factor must be a parameter a captain is worried about)

DONT LEAVE ME ALONE.
More of War news, (especially back in base as well as radio messages) i want to feel that there is a living world around me.
*Harbour traffic, welcome parties, (we shouldnt be needing a mod for these )
*Wolfpacs!! (Yea i know its been mentioned before so i wont again)
*Dynamic campaign that will make you go again again!!
*instant coming ops. during patrols (i know its been covered.)
*Make "transfers" tricky. It should have a backdraw as well as its benefits. Loose some crew? Costs renowns? better nightclubs at base? Anyway what renowns are for?
*I still insist on to have an effect on the course of history. (I have mentioned it in some of my posts before) "Do I have an effect on the course of War?" Player must be given the chance to be able to change the course of history. The most important lack of SH3 is the "Player is striving for his success in a war that is already lost" (Make it optional if you wish for those who are against this feature) Besides, We all know that Donitz have briefed his Uboat captains personally after their patrols. So U-boat captains did know what was going on in the big picture.

Thanx for the patiance fellas

[Agrippa]

Just a few comments on Mentat's post.

NOT BOUND TO SINGLE NATION.

I've said in another post that my dream WWII sub sim would simulate all the subfairing nations and the entire world. Then you'd be able to do careers as a German, British, American, Japanese, or Russian sub captain. Or even the possibility to mix and match careers and subs--do you like russian subs but find the Russian career boring? Go outside historical boundries and use a russian sub in the German or American campaigns.

However, this might take forever to impliment. Let Silent Hunter IV be just American subs in the Pacific. With SH3 and SH4 simulating the two most intersting sub campaigns in WWII, and doing it well (assuming SH4 is at least as good as 3, which it should be), means that for Silent hunger 5 (or whatever they want to call it) could experiment with adding additional nations in a single game.

CREW MANAGEMENT

I somewhat agree with this, particularly about the medic being more important, and the addition of food being a consumable resourse limiting how long a sub can stay at sea without being supplied. I also like more detail with damage (I liked in Silent Hunter 1 that it showed flooding in the batteries, requiring you to surface to avoid chlorine gas poisoning), and the sub scematic should be more detalied than in SH3, with just 7 or 8 compartments being detailed.

FULLY AVAILABLE INTERIOR.

I actually disagree with this one. coding this will take a long time and chew up a lot of computer resources, considering they'd have to make 3-D interiors for every sub class. I also consider it unnecessary. This is a game, and though I hope it can be as realistic as possible (with options to tone down the realism), there is only so much they can do.

DONT LEAVE ME ALONE

Definitely more war news. Actually, if the map at extremely zoomed out levels was shaded to show Japanese control of land and the ocean, it would be cool to watch it expand and contract. Or, the addition of more cities to the map to show the progress of Japanese conquest. Plus the occasional newsreel when in port for the really important news (battle of Midway, landing in the Philippines, etc.) would be cool.

I'm glad Mentat mentioned the campaign mode. It's something we should insist on, though I suppose we just assume that they will do this. But I couldn't believe they shipped SH2 without a dynamic campaign, I really didn't understand how they could leave that out, and that's why I didn't buy that game. We shouldn't just take it for granted that the developers won't make the same mistake again.

Making transfers tricky would be good, although you should be able to spend more renown to prevent any drawbacks that accrue. For example, let's say that you do a transfer, but a third of your crew will be taken from you if you do--you should be able to spend renown to sort of buy these crewmen back, to keep them with you. This means that you just can't transfer somewhere, for free, upgrade to a new and better sub, then transfer back to where you were, because it would require renown for these moves not to rob you of experienced crewmen.

I disagree on the ability to effect the course of the war. I think that the realism of hte game should be customizable, but having a single submarine decide the course of the war is too much in my view. When I want to effect the course of the whole conflict, I'll play matrixgames' World at War or something similar. The point of sim games is not to have the entire war revolve around you, but to see how successful you can be facing some of the problems and challenges that sub captains faced. In SH3 I know germany loses the war, and frankly I don't care. The point is to do as much damage as you can while the odds slowly turn against you, then trying to sink ships and survive as long as possible. The US campaign in SH4 will be quite different, but again, I'm not out there to win the war, I'm out there to "do my part."

Hmmm... I've been a bit more verbose than I thought I would be. I'll shut up now.