Considering GWX

[Tynan]

So in reading these posts I hear alot about this GWX "expansion?" to SH3? I've considered getting it, but my system is several years old (it can run stock SH3 no problem, but it looks like GWX is more modern).
So what are the differences between GWX and the standard version 1.4? And should I play stock for a while and then GWX or can I get right into it? Thanks all.

[YukonJack_AK]

I am certain one of the members of the GWX Team will be along to expand on this, but simply - GWX takes SH3 from a good simulation to "the Real F-ing Deal" They've spent years improving everything from the weather to the AI and they've done a bang-up job too! More ships, more aggressive aircraft, and alot more immersive experiance overall await you!

As far as your rig - my previous build, which was an AMD Athlon 64 Brisbane 2.1GHz, with 4GB DDR2 and a NVidia 8500GT (1GB) ran it with an average of 80fps in native resolution. As long as you have a decent video card with atleast 256mb to 512mb of memory and no less than 2GB of RAM... you should have no problems running GWX with everything maxxed out!

And if I may make a recommendation - don't play GWX without SH3Commander.

[Brer Rabbit]

I started out on Plain SH3. Beginning with low realism until I got the feel of the game I gradually increased realism to about 85%. That took about 6 months. Then I incorperated GWX and began in ernest - I added mods and tried several GUI mods. Today after almost 3 years, I am patrolling with 100% using GWX, TMT, MEP and MaGui, along with several other mods.

It is important I think that you understand manual targeting, and then determine what is most enjoyable as far a realism and mods for the way you play.

I would also recommend that you read the interrogations reports on U-boat archives to get an idea of how the u-boats operated IRL.


Most of all have fun.

Brer Rabbit

[Dutch89]

You will find way more types of ships, cargo on ships, lights on and off. its like a whole new game. It still blows my mind what these cleaver guys have done with the game.

I feel its like a new game now with GWX

Have a look at some screen shots on the web

I would recommend you play Stock SH3 to start off.
Get the feel of it. Make a mental note of things you do and don't like about it.
Take some time to read about all the mods, including, but not limitted to GWX.
(GWX has a great manual, which I strongly recommend reading).

The next step is to see what mods fix, what YOU percieve to be weaknesses in the Stock version. See what you have to give up by installing the mod, if anything. Also learning what files you can alter yourself can be very rewarding. The smaller mods can fix alot of individual things, and should not be overlooked.

How you set up your game should be a very personal thing.
There is nothing wrong with mixing and matching either.
Reaching a final decision, on your own, can be fun, educational, and interesting.

Enjoy.

[baggygreen]

Gday mate,

I myself have just gotten back into SH3 after a bit of an absence (self-imposed, marriage does terrible things to a man's gaming time)

I got straight into GWX 3 and even tho I played GWX when it was first released, I was completely surprised and impressed. Haven't looked too deeply into the changelogs but bugger me, its an incredible game now!

Well worth the mammoth download (or one of the lads can post you the mod).

Cheers

Baggy

[Vipper]

I have quiet outdated computer myself (can't play SH5 i guess) Athlon 5200+ 64 x2 Dual, 2.6 Ghz, 2Gb RAM, Geforce 7900 GS and SH3 with GWX runs well. Only slight framerate issues when looking busy port on clear day (16km view) or accelerating time near port or convoy.

marriage does terrible things to a man's gaming time

Not to my brother, he got gamer wife...Now they teach their daughter how to play games and she already does write messages on keyboard but not on paper...hehe.

[CCIP]

Is there still a lite option for harbour traffic in GWX? Harbor traffic is really the only serious FPS killer to be found in GWX, so I'd recommend that if you're worried about performance. Otherwise I don't think you should worry too much - SHIII is a 5-year-old game, and if you can run regular SHIII no problem, it shouldn't have that much more problem with GWX.

[KeptinCranky]

Right, I'd recommend GWX (of course)

Can your rig handle it, I should say yes. I've done most of the testing for GWX when it was in development with the following rig:
1ghz AMD processor, 256mb Ati card and 1gb ram....
I wouldn't exactly recommend that, the load times on that were really atrocious but it did run and run well, even with all the graphics on high.

If your computer is better than that you should have no problems.

Good hunting!

[CCIP]

The load times will always be pretty atrocious for GWX, but they are well worth it! Hell, even the frame rate hits you get are all justified because the return for them is just a mass of great features.

[Sailor Steve]

If your rig can handle stock SH3 it can handle GWX. They were very careful about keeping it that way, even, as I understand it, to the exclusion of some things they wanted to add.

Originally Posted by CCIP

Is there still a lite option for harbour traffic in GWX?

Yes there is.

[wetgoat]

Only recently upgraded to a new machine. Ran GWX for a looong time with a P4 2.8 single core, two gigs of ram, ati 9800pro vid card and win xp. Other than slow loading times, never had a problem with frame rates, unless in port with a whole bunch of ships, but there is even a mod to take care of this, so no worries.

[flakmonkey]

Should be just fine, the biggest fps hit comes from the 16Km mod, but thats optional so you dont have to enable it if your system struggles.
I would recommend playing stock for a while just to get the basics and so you can appreciate how much better the game is with gwx (or any other supermod).

+You can download the superb GWX manual as a pdf on their site, have a read through that for the best guide on just what has been added/altered.

[Paul Riley]

All I can say here is,if you like SH3 and you also like things to be as realistic as possible then GWX3 is for you,and make sure you also get the Commander 3.2 addon too,this incorporates many improvements as far as your career goes,and allows you to change/tweak certain aspects of the game to your liking.
Performance wise,if your graphics card has at least 256MB of onboard memory (with latest drivers) and your system has at least 2GB of RAM GWX3 should run fine,however,frames DO take quite a hit near ports so begin your patrol a way out to sea first (enabled via Commander),or enable 'lite traffic' through the GWX mods setup screen.The 16km atmosphere mod also impacts performance but not too much in my experience.This mod is an essential for me as it allows you and your crew to spot ships a lot further out than in the stock game.
Trust me,it is worth it,and over time it will develop you into a better captain due to the increased difficulty,especially when under air attack!
If war at sea is hell then GWX3 is the devil!

Good luck.

[Jimbuna]

GWX is crap....but you might want to satisfy your curiosity by giving it a go.

...and yes your rig specs will run it.