I'm having withdrawals, recommend me a mod

[enjoi]

Ok, here's the deal. I've been playing SH3 with GWX since like January, I have been running on a macbook pro with win7 x64 on bootcamp. Once I started playing my purchased copy I began experiencing a bug where my saves would crash the game. I tried everything under the Sun to fix this problem. Once I thought I had finally fixed the issue just recently the problem returned and now the game would keep crashing halfway through a patrol! Everytime! So after losing my patience I said to hell with it and just removed the game and mods from my machine. I just couldn't take it anymore, spending hours on a patrol just to have it all crash.

Now, a week later without GWX I'm having serious withdrawals. I've tried War aces of the Pacific and that game was just too cartoonish. Someone please recommend me another mega mod that resembles the realism of GWX without all the damn bugs. Thanks!!!!!!

Edited Per Walleye's advice

[BigWalleye]

Originally Posted by enjoi

Ok, here's the deal. I've been playing SH3 with GWX since like January, I have been running on a macbook pro with win7 x64 on bootcamp. I began experiencing a bug where my saves would crash the game. I tried everything under the Sun to fix this problem. Once I thought I had finally fixed the issue just recently the problem returned and now the game would keep crashing halfway through a patrol! Everytime! So after losing my patience I said to hell with it and just removed the game and mods from my machine. I just couldn't take it anymore, spending hours on a patrol just to have it all crash.

Now, a week later without GWX I'm having serious withdrawals. I've tried War aces of the Pacific and that game was just too cartoonish. Someone please recommend me another mega mod that resemles the realism of GWX without all the damn bugs. Thanks!!!!!!

First, you might want to delete the third sentence of your post. It puts you squarely in violation of SubSim's policy on software piracy: "We do NOT allow discussion or even mention of game piracy, warez, peer-to-peer game swapping, game cracks, illegal download sites, or illegal file-sharing." They do enforce this.

Second, if you take a look around this forum, you will find that many people play GWX3.0. From their posts, you will see that GWX performs well and is pretty much bug-free. GWX3.0 has an excellent reputation for stability. From my own experience and that of many, many others, I can assure you that the problem you have experienced is not inherent in GWX.

But you have had a problem, and that problem is a fairly common one. Again, take a look around this forum and you will find that CTDs when loading a saved game are a common complaint. Occasionally this problem can be caused by a faulty mod. But usually it is due to actions by the user and is preventable. The GWX manual has a discussion of some of these causes, beginning on page 13. It's definitely recommended reading. Note that all the causes discussed there are inherent to SH3 itself, and will be experienced with any mod you care to install.

Some of the problems are due to poor software hygiene. Activating or deactivating any mods while on patrol can cause instability which will show up (not necessarily immediately) as CTDs on reload of a save. Saving over the top of a previous save (using the same name for a save without first deleting the old save) will cause CTDs on reload.

But all of these things are independent of the mods you have active. In fact, the issue of saved games failing to reload is endemic to the entire SH3,4,5 series, and is just as likely to afflict you when playing rockstock SH3. But if you follow "a few simple rules" , you can count on reliability and enjoy the game. DO read and heed the discussion of "Known Silent Hunter III Issues and Workarounds" in the GWX3.0 manual, all 5 pages (!) of it. It will save you grief whether you play GWX, rockstock, or any other supermod.

Now to answer the question you posed: GWX3.0 is preferred by a majority of SH3 players, but two other popular supermods are LSH3, and my favorite, NYGM. NYGM is generally agreed to be the most historically accurate in terms of gameplay and results. "NYGM doesn't have the best graphics, but it gives you a nice, accurate death." LSH3 and GWX both have more eyecandy and curb appeal, and the difference between these two is a matter of personal taste, although GWX is by far the most popular. It also has the largest number of compatible add-on mods made for it, so you can pretty much make it exactly what you want.

Since you already have a clean install, you are ready to load whatever supermod you choose. But don't reject GWX because you believe it caused your CTDs. It didn't.

Good luck and good hunting.

And do get rid of that third sentence before the "cops" come to call!

[maillemaker]

Once I started playing my purchased copy I began experiencing a bug where my saves would crash the game.

This is a common issue. I personally suspect it is a problem with loading too much information on load - the software is running out of memory or something.

The rule of thumb for SH3 saving is this:
Don't save while submerged.
Don't save within render range of other ships.

Steve

[BigWalleye]

Originally Posted by maillemaker

This is a common issue. I personally suspect it is a problem with loading too much information on load - the software is running out of memory or something.

The rule of thumb for SH3 saving is this:
Don't save while submerged.
Don't save within render range of other ships.

Steve

Yes, I know the visual effect that you are referring to. But I have never seen a suggestion that the CTDs were reduced or eliminated by using a more capable machine. The problem doesn't seen to be associated with processor, memory, GPU or OS. And I have gotten the same visual effect by accidentally omitting key parameters in the menu_1024_768.ini file, and even by not having an active sound card. It might be a "stack overflow" in the reloading routine, but why didn't they fix it when they used the same code for SH4?

There are other rules. too. I've broken some with impunity. I save submerged whenever I need to, and have experienced no problems. (Man falls off 10-story building. As he passes his friends on the fifth floor, he calls out: "OK so far!") If you save near an active port then reload, the AI ships in the port will "go ballistic", crash into things, and sink. Then, if you save again and reload, that second save can CTD.

[enjoi]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

First, you might want to delete the third sentence of your post. It puts you squarely in violation of SubSim's policy on software piracy: "We do NOT allow discussion or even mention of game piracy, warez, peer-to-peer game swapping, game cracks, illegal download sites, or illegal file-sharing." They do enforce this.

Second, if you take a look around this forum, you will find that many people play GWX3.0. From their posts, you will see that GWX performs well and is pretty much bug-free. GWX3.0 has an excellent reputation for stability. From my own experience and that of many, many others, I can assure you that the problem you have experienced is not inherent in GWX.

But you have had a problem, and that problem is a fairly common one. Again, take a look around this forum and you will find that CTDs when loading a saved game are a common complaint. Occasionally this problem can be caused by a faulty mod. But usually it is due to actions by the user and is preventable. The GWX manual has a discussion of some of these causes, beginning on page 13. It's definitely recommended reading. Note that all the causes discussed there are inherent to SH3 itself, and will be experienced with any mod you care to install.

Some of the problems are due to poor software hygiene. Activating or deactivating any mods while on patrol can cause instability which will show up (not necessarily immediately) as CTDs on reload of a save. Saving over the top of a previous save (using the same name for a save without first deleting the old save) will cause CTDs on reload.

But all of these things are independent of the mods you have active. In fact, the issue of saved games failing to reload is endemic to the entire SH3,4,5 series, and is just as likely to afflict you when playing rockstock SH3. But if you follow "a few simple rules" , you can count on reliability and enjoy the game. DO read and heed the discussion of "Known Silent Hunter III Issues and Workarounds" in the GWX3.0 manual, all 5 pages (!) of it. It will save you grief whether you play GWX, rockstock, or any other supermod.

Now to answer the question you posed: GWX3.0 is preferred by a majority of SH3 players, but two other popular supermods are LSH3, and my favorite, NYGM. NYGM is generally agreed to be the most historically accurate in terms of gameplay and results. "NYGM doesn't have the best graphics, but it gives you a nice, accurate death." LSH3 and GWX both have more eyecandy and curb appeal, and the difference between these two is a matter of personal taste, although GWX is by far the most popular. It also has the largest number of compatible add-on mods made for it, so you can pretty much make it exactly what you want.

Since you already have a clean install, you are ready to load whatever supermod you choose. But don't reject GWX because you believe it caused your CTDs. It didn't.

Good luck and good hunting.

And do get rid of that third sentence before the "cops" come to call!

Remove the sentence for what? To avoid some kind of persecution? I said torrented it to try it then I PURCHASED it. If that hurts your feelings then kick rocks dude, I don't need and didn't ask for your personal approval on anything.

And you're either extremely ignorant or seriously biased because GWX is EXTREMELY buggy. I have 3.0, I have played it for half a year and have experienced nothing but instability and bugs that render the game unplayeable. And as you can see from additional comments on this thread I'm not alone.

And you think the Police are going to come arrest someone for torrenting a $10 game? Dude you're lame. I'm sorry man, but I can't stand self righteous people like you whom think they're in a position to judge anyone.

neither of my issues are due to inadequate hardware, I have a core i5 with 8gb of ddr3. MY machine can run games like Skyrim with ease, When it isn't crashing I can run SH3 maxed out with no lag.

And again you're wrong, GWX is too causing the CTDs, I have ran SH3 vanilla and War Aces without one single crash. Go away dude, you aren't helping at all.

[BigWalleye]

Originally Posted by enjoi

Remove the sentence for what? To avoid some kind of persecution? I said torrented it to try it then I PURCHASED it. If that hurts your feelings then kick rocks dude, I don't need and didn't ask for your personal approval on anything.

And you're either extremely ignorant or seriously biased because GWX is EXTREMELY buggy. I have 3.0, I have played it for half a year and have experienced nothing but instability and bugs that render the game unplayeable. And as you can see from additional comments on this thread I'm not alone.

And you think the Police are going to come arrest someone for torrenting a $10 game? Dude you're lame. I'm sorry man, but I can't stand self righteous people like you whom think they're in a position to judge anyone.

neither of my issues are due to inadequate hardware, I have a core i5 with 8gb of ddr3. MY machine can run games like Skyrim with ease, When it isn't crashing I can run SH3 maxed out with no lag.

And again you're wrong, GWX is too causing the CTDs, I have ran SH3 vanilla and War Aces without one single crash. Go away dude, you aren't helping at all.

My post was intended as a friendly bit of advice to head off intervention by the admins here (the "cops" I referred to). It was not intended as a judgment. I know that the admins often enforce that guideline pretty firmly. It has to do, as I understand it, with keeping good relations with UbiSoft, which allows the site a lot of freedom.

Those other comments are about SH3, not GWX.

Sorry if I bothered you.

[Admiral Halsey]

GWX 3.0 is probably the least buggy of the mega-mods available for ANY of the Silent Hunter games. Just follow the rule of thumbs for SH3 saving and you should be fine with the saves. Don't save while submerged, don't save within render range of other ships and don't save close to land.

[Jimbuna]

I now see three references at least (including quotes) as to the use of torrents.

Nobody is ever persecuted here on SibSim as far as I am aware but everyone is expected to adhere to the forum rules:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/faq....ules2_faq_item

What is Subsim.com's stance in relation to torrents, warez ,and piracy?
SUBSIM Review has a longstanding policy against software piracy.
We do NOT allow discussion or even mention of game piracy, warez, peer-to-peer game swapping, game cracks, illegal download sites, or illegal file-sharing. Nothing will get you banned faster than pointing people to illegal software distribution sites. Don't ask for serial numbers, manuals, or cracks. Any admission that you have in your possession illegal software can and usually will result in revocation of your Radio Room forum account and permanent ban. We do not care what you do on your computer in your home, but do not discuss it here.Support computer game programmers buy legally purchasing their work. They have to eat too, you know.

Discussion of torrents is also not allowed on this site. Please don't post links to torrents in our forum.

Abandonware: games that are 8~10+ years old and are no longer available for sale commercially by the IP owner will be exempted on a case by case basis. An inquiry may be made about the status of a particular game in the Classic Subsims forum. Subsim will make a good faith effort to clear the use of the game with the last known copyright holders. If we were to receive an objection or legal challenge, we would reverse our position is regards to the game in question.

The discussion re torrents ends now and thanks in anticipation of your cooperation.

[Obltn Strand]

Originally Posted by Admiral Halsey

GWX 3.0 is probably the least buggy of the mega-mods available for ANY of the Silent Hunter games. Just follow the rule of thumbs for SH3 saving and you should be fine with the saves. Don't save while submerged, don't save within render range of other ships and don't save close to land.

I disagree. I played lot with GWX and was pissed off because corrupted saves. I changed to NYGM and saved game failures are allmost zero.

[ski25]

As a relative newcomer to Subsim I learned the hard way, as BigWalleye mentioned, about bad saves and such. I believe most of it was my fault as I was playing GWX and was like a kid in the candy store when it came to adding mods. After way to many ctd's I re-installed and now play with just a good sound mod, sh5 water, magui f and a few smaller mods to round out my playing experience. I'm on patrol #3 and have had no problems so far. I do believe that there might be just to much going on in regards to GWX and all the mods out there, but that's just my opinion without any real proof that's the case. Still loving this game though!

[ski25]

oh, and all those mods are with GWX bty

[jakethescot]

NYGM.

That is all.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to the community ski25

[enjoi]

Ok, so from what I can gather, the CTD issue is a common occurence with SH3 vanilla and all other mega mods and thus cannot be avoided? That is so lame. I hate the idea of not being able to save in the middle of combat or not within view of other ships, that's so stupid.

Anyway, can someone please elaborate some more on how NYGM compares to GWX? In terms of realism? Realism is what I care about most. Thanks.