Dud Torps

BigWalleye · 02-01-14, 03:00 PM

This has nothing to do with "programming glitches." The "realism" (sic) settings can only be changed at the start of a career. Otherwise, you can change the settings all you want, but each time you load a saved game, they revert to what was set at the start of that career. This is the way the game was designed to work. As they say: "It's not a bug. It's a feature."

To change the settings mid-carrer, you must modify the GameplaySettings.cfg file found in you savegame folder. (The full path to this folder is User/<username>/Documents/SH4/Data/Cfg/GameplaySettings.cfg, where <username> is dependent on your Windows setup.) Open GameplaySettings.cfg in Notepad. The contents will look something like this:

[Current]
LimitedBatteries=true
LimitedCompressedAir=true
LimitedO2=true
LimitedFuel=true
RealisticRepairTime=true
ManualTargetingSystem=true
NoMapUpdate=false
RealisticSensors=true
DudTorpedoes=true
RealisticReload=true
NoEventCamera=true
NoExternalView=true
NoStabilizeView=true
MPShowPlayerNames=true
MPShowTorpedoes=true

[MiscSettings]
CurrentNation=American
MeasurementUnits=authentic

Change whatever settings you wish (settings are "true" or false") and save the changes. Then start SH4 and load your saved career. (AFAIK, changes to this file, if done properly, will never result in a CTD.) The saved career should resume with the new settings.

aanker · 02-01-14, 05:13 PM

I suggested this edit to someone stuck with no fuel close to base and they reported they did it, and made it back:

So, although a 'cheat' (you're only cheating yourself), I think it is possible to edit this file mid-patrol if you run out of fuel close to port, set to unlimited fuel, return to base, and then restore the settings.

Never tried it myself but have seen quite a few broken-hearted people over the years posting that they lost their entire career.

Happy Hunting!

BigWalleye · 02-01-14, 06:52 PM

IMO, it's not a cheat. You only get renown based on the "Realism" (sic) settings at the time you score it, not those you started with, so no renown advantage is gained. If, as you suggest, someone switches to unlimited fuel to RTB, then they will only get credit for the patrol based on their difficulty level at patrol end - no advantage there. And you can increase your difficulty level in mid-career, if/when you realize that you do not like your current settings. You can, for example, switch to manual targeting because you are ready to try it, without having to start a new career. I have used the technique a couple of times when I started a career without remembering to set the "Realism" (sic) options to 100%. It's easier than having to trash the career and start over.

Of course, I don't understand what the term "cheat" means as applied to a non-competitive game like SH4 anyway. It's only a matter of personal achievement, not competitive rank. If someone wants to claim an artificially inflated score, they can just make whatever claim they choose without actually having to play the game at all.

TorpX · 02-02-14, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

IMO, it's not a cheat. You only get renown based on the "Realism" (sic) settings at the time you score it....

I would consider it a cheat. Yes, you might get less renown, but you are altering a game file to save a career that would otherwise be at an end.

Quote:

I have used the technique a couple of times when I started a career without remembering to set the "Realism" (sic) options to 100%. It's easier than having to trash the career and start over.

This seems ok, to me. I sometimes replay a save, not to obtain a better result, or inflate my tonnage, but to learn why those two or three torps missed that big ship. I don't continue on this alternate path of reality, though. Learning about the game/tactics is the goal here, not boosting my career.

BigWalleye · 02-02-14, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorpX

[INDENT] I would consider it a cheat. Yes, you might get less renown, but you are altering a game file to save a career that would otherwise be at an end.

Do you always play DID? Is not playing DID a cheat IUO?

TorpX · 02-03-14, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

Do you always play DID? Is not playing DID a cheat IUO?

Yes, I always play DID in career. Sometimes I will play a mission, or construct a mission, to test some aspect of the sim, or develop a mod or technique, or such. My careers are always DID. Sometimes, I will lose a career for stupid/unfair reasons (this is a subjective matter, though), but they are lost to me just the same. I can't bring myself to go back to resurrect a deceased captain, knowing all the while HE IS REALLY DEAD.

As far as "cheating" is concerned, that kind of depends. If you consider yourself a serious (or "hardcore") player, I would say non-DID is a cheat. If you are a casual player, then no, it isn't.

I have nothing against casual players, or new players using easy settings, or game workarounds. I started with SHCE playing casually, with auto-targeting. I knew nothing about the game, and not much more about the subs and campaign. Everybody has to start somewhere. I try to encourage new people to be more serious, as I believe this provides a richer experience.

I realize not everyone is a serious player, but I have to assume, most of us here, have more than a casual interest. Even if you don't have a serious interest in this game now, you may develop a greater interest in the future. (It would help enormously, if someone developed a better version than what Ubisoft gave us.) Also, I understand, many of those who have only a causal interest in SH, may be seriously devoted to other games/sims. It really isn't possible to be devoted to very many. Everybody has their own favorites.

Back to the fuel/towing thing. I can see getting towed back to port if you are close, and taking a big hit in renown, along the lines of what Traveller did. The routine aspects of patrolling are pretty easy, though, so it should require a substantial penalty, imo.

Sniper297 · 02-03-14, 02:08 AM

I've been playing computer games and simulators since the TRS-80 came out in 1979, so 35 years worth. Not non-stop, obviously!

The problem with cheating is a balance - if you don't cheat at all most games get tedious and/or irritating. If you cheat too much they get boring. It's a very rare game that is programmed so perfectly that a little cheating doesn't make it more fun rather than less, but again it's tricky to get just the right balance.

Running out of fuel in SH4 is irritating, crossing the Pacific at 10 knots is tedious, so it's the best place to cheat - a LITTLE.

What I did was use Silent 3ditor to open the \Data\Submarine\NSS_Gato\NSS_Gato.sim file, edited the 11:unit_Submarine\Ranges\Surfaced to
miles=18000
knots=15

That gave me a little more range at standard speed instead of chugging along at 10 knots. Eventually I gave up on the whole Pearl Harbor thing and went Asiatic, then started playing with the mission editor to create new resupply bases so I never bothered to increase the Sargo range.

So if you want to cheat a LITTLE do the same with your favorite sub, add ballast fuel tanks and increase the range by 2000 or 3000 miles. Don't go overboard and increase to 50000 or something, if it's too much you might as well select unlimited fuel.

Red Devil · 02-02-14, 09:13 AM

I dont see the problem using a cheat for that purpose, it is after all ONLY A GAME. Don't take it seriously. Its a games fault you are out of fuel ,not the USN. come on lighten up!

aanker · 02-02-14, 12:19 PM

In the old SH1 - SHCE if you used too much fuel in the assigned patrol area and not saving enough to RTB, depending on how it was calculated, there was a graphic that could be seen of your boat being towed back to port.... essentially saving your career. I saw the graphic while looking though the files, but never had it in-game.

While on the career saving subject, there was also an 'abandon ship' option in SHCE with three outcomes; captured POW, KIA, or Rescued - saving the career. I think this was displayed in newspaper headlines. It's been a while so I'm not 100% sure on that one...

Both were nice options I wish had been included in SH4. I play DID or Sunk is sunk, however running out of fuel 100 nm from base, or abandoning ship at 26' shouldn't be a 100% career killer imo, there were friendlies in WWII.

Anyway, SH4 is what it is :)

I apologize for straying off topic!

Armistead · 02-02-14, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aanker

In the old SH1 - SHCE if you used too much fuel in the assigned patrol area and not saving enough to RTB, depending on how it was calculated, there was a graphic that could be seen of your boat being towed back to port.... essentially saving your career. I saw the graphic while looking though the files, but never had it in-game.

While on the career saving subject, there was also an 'abandon ship' option in SHCE with three outcomes; captured POW, KIA, or Rescued - saving the career. I think this was displayed in newspaper headlines. It's been a while so I'm not 100% sure on that one...

Both were nice options I wish had been included in SH4. I play DID or Sunk is sunk, however running out of fuel 100 nm from base, or abandoning ship at 26' shouldn't be a 100% career killer imo, there were friendlies in WWII.

Anyway, SH4 is what it is

I apologize for straying off topic!

I think Trav gives the option to return to base with a push of a button in one of his mods for a lil loss of renown.

02-02-14, 09:13 AM	#8
Red Devil The Old Man Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sutton Coldfield England Posts: 1,540 Downloads: 305 Uploads: 0	I dont see the problem using a cheat for that purpose, it is after all ONLY A GAME. Don't take it seriously. Its a games fault you are out of fuel ,not the USN. come on lighten up! __________________ > > Captain!, there's a destroyer on the por........ periscope is flooded Sir! > Darkness is only the absence of Light; Ignorance is only the absence of knowledge © www.worldwartwo.uk www.captainwalker.uk

02-02-14, 12:19 PM	#9
aanker Pacific Thunder Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yellow Sea Posts: 1,896 Downloads: 236 Uploads: 14	In the old SH1 - SHCE if you used too much fuel in the assigned patrol area and not saving enough to RTB, depending on how it was calculated, there was a graphic that could be seen of your boat being towed back to port.... essentially saving your career. I saw the graphic while looking though the files, but never had it in-game. While on the career saving subject, there was also an 'abandon ship' option in SHCE with three outcomes; captured POW, KIA, or Rescued - saving the career. I think this was displayed in newspaper headlines. It's been a while so I'm not 100% sure on that one... Both were nice options I wish had been included in SH4. I play DID or Sunk is sunk, however running out of fuel 100 nm from base, or abandoning ship at 26' shouldn't be a 100% career killer imo, there were friendlies in WWII. Anyway, SH4 is what it is :) I apologize for straying off topic! __________________ " Bless those who serve beneath the deep, Through lonely hours their vigil keep. May peace their mission ever be, Protect each one we ask of thee. Bless those at home who wait and pray, For their return by night and day."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-01-14, 03:00 PM	#1
BigWalleye Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: On the Eye-lond, mon! Posts: 1,987 Downloads: 465 Uploads: 0	This has nothing to do with "programming glitches." The "realism" (sic) settings can only be changed at the start of a career. Otherwise, you can change the settings all you want, but each time you load a saved game, they revert to what was set at the start of that career. This is the way the game was designed to work. As they say: "It's not a bug. It's a feature." To change the settings mid-carrer, you must modify the GameplaySettings.cfg file found in you savegame folder. (The full path to this folder is User/<username>/Documents/SH4/Data/Cfg/GameplaySettings.cfg, where <username> is dependent on your Windows setup.) Open GameplaySettings.cfg in Notepad. The contents will look something like this: [Current] LimitedBatteries=true LimitedCompressedAir=true LimitedO2=true LimitedFuel=true RealisticRepairTime=true ManualTargetingSystem=true NoMapUpdate=false RealisticSensors=true DudTorpedoes=true RealisticReload=true NoEventCamera=true NoExternalView=true NoStabilizeView=true MPShowPlayerNames=true MPShowTorpedoes=true [MiscSettings] CurrentNation=American MeasurementUnits=authentic Change whatever settings you wish (settings are "true" or false") and save the changes. Then start SH4 and load your saved career. (AFAIK, changes to this file, if done properly, will never result in a CTD.) The saved career should resume with the new settings.

02-01-14, 05:13 PM	#2
aanker Pacific Thunder Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yellow Sea Posts: 1,896 Downloads: 236 Uploads: 14	I suggested this edit to someone stuck with no fuel close to base and they reported they did it, and made it back: So, although a 'cheat' (you're only cheating yourself), I think it is possible to edit this file mid-patrol if you run out of fuel close to port, set to unlimited fuel, return to base, and then restore the settings. Never tried it myself but have seen quite a few broken-hearted people over the years posting that they lost their entire career. Happy Hunting!

02-01-14, 06:52 PM	#3
BigWalleye Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: On the Eye-lond, mon! Posts: 1,987 Downloads: 465 Uploads: 0	IMO, it's not a cheat. You only get renown based on the "Realism" (sic) settings at the time you score it, not those you started with, so no renown advantage is gained. If, as you suggest, someone switches to unlimited fuel to RTB, then they will only get credit for the patrol based on their difficulty level at patrol end - no advantage there. And you can increase your difficulty level in mid-career, if/when you realize that you do not like your current settings. You can, for example, switch to manual targeting because you are ready to try it, without having to start a new career. I have used the technique a couple of times when I started a career without remembering to set the "Realism" (sic) options to 100%. It's easier than having to trash the career and start over. Of course, I don't understand what the term "cheat" means as applied to a non-competitive game like SH4 anyway. It's only a matter of personal achievement, not competitive rank. If someone wants to claim an artificially inflated score, they can just make whatever claim they choose without actually having to play the game at all.

02-03-14, 02:08 AM	#7
Sniper297 The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Philadelphia Shipyard Brig Posts: 1,386 Downloads: 160 Uploads: 19	I've been playing computer games and simulators since the TRS-80 came out in 1979, so 35 years worth. Not non-stop, obviously! The problem with cheating is a balance - if you don't cheat at all most games get tedious and/or irritating. If you cheat too much they get boring. It's a very rare game that is programmed so perfectly that a little cheating doesn't make it more fun rather than less, but again it's tricky to get just the right balance. Running out of fuel in SH4 is irritating, crossing the Pacific at 10 knots is tedious, so it's the best place to cheat - a LITTLE. What I did was use Silent 3ditor to open the \Data\Submarine\NSS_Gato\NSS_Gato.sim file, edited the 11:unit_Submarine\Ranges\Surfaced to miles=18000 knots=15 That gave me a little more range at standard speed instead of chugging along at 10 knots. Eventually I gave up on the whole Pearl Harbor thing and went Asiatic, then started playing with the mission editor to create new resupply bases so I never bothered to increase the Sargo range. So if you want to cheat a LITTLE do the same with your favorite sub, add ballast fuel tanks and increase the range by 2000 or 3000 miles. Don't go overboard and increase to 50000 or something, if it's too much you might as well select unlimited fuel.