SH5 Interview conclusions

TDK1044 · 01-20-10, 10:12 AM

Let's step back and look at this from a different perspective. Let's say that Silent Hunter III had never been released. What impression would people now have of what we know about the upcoming Silent Hunter V?

What's being offered is a really good video game in the Das Boot mould, with a VII sub, first person crew interraction, a real dynamic campaign and good graphics.

The primary demographic that Ubisoft is most interested in attracting with Silent Hunter V is the casual gamer. To that end, a video game version of Das Boot is right on the money.

Of course there are going to be hard core simmers who don't like the fact that the game ends in 1943 and that it only offers a type VII sub. There will be a few here who don't purchase the game for those reasons.

The gamble that Ubisoft is taking is that they will attract a new audience of players for Silent Hunter V, while also selling the game to most of the simmers who purchased Silent Hunter III and Silent Hunter IV.

Hostility towards the Devs is out of line in my view. They inherit decisions made by the suits and they have to build the game that the publisher orders. Of course they have a lot of input, but they have no say in company strategy.

So, let's see what we get in March. Let's see how modable it is. And let's see how enjoyable it is to play before we trash it.

Redwine · 01-20-10, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

Of course there are going to be hard core simmers who don't like the fact that the game ends in 1943 and that it only offers a type VII sub. There will be a few here who don't purchase the game for those reasons.

Seriously i am thinking in that option...

TDK1044 · 01-20-10, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwine

Seriously i am thinking in that option...

I totally respect that, Redwine. I'm prepared to risk my $50 based on what I've seen of SHV, and based on the fact that the Devs have stated that this game will be more modable than any previous version.

Lanzfeld · 01-20-10, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

I totally respect that, Redwine. I'm prepared to risk my $50 based on what I've seen of SHV, and based on the fact that the Devs have stated that this game will be more modable than any previous version.

I hope they dont mean just the skins.

martes86 · 01-20-10, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

Hostility towards the Devs is out of line in my view. They inherit decisions made by the suits and they have to build the game that the publisher orders. Of course they have a lot of input, but they have no say in company strategy.

None of that came from me (just in case). Actually, due to my job, I'm much more understanding now regarding these issues than I was 10 years ago.
But, in my opinion, it also helps to voice constructive criticism, or some opinions, always from mutual respect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johan_d

interaction with BDU is a must to be realistic, since going on your own wasnt done then, and seems now rather pointless and boring..
since the game knows where a ship is and is going BDU could give you some orders to attack it or just not.
in stead of an popping up shipmarker, a message would be better.

Lots of things are a must, but unfortunately we can't have them all. Not yet, anyways.

conus00 · 01-20-10, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

Let's step back and look at this from a different perspective. Let's say that Silent Hunter III had never been released. ....

There lies the problem: SH3 HAVE BEEN released and from certain perspective was more finished then SH5 is right now. Then GWX came and made it complete WW2 experience.
What I am trying to say is that the limitations of SH5 (1936-1943, only Type VII) are huge leap back regardless how well the sub is simulated...

In gaming industry companies tend to ADD as much more content to the sequel as possible to make players (customers) feel like they are ADVANCING the franchise.

The main why some people judge this release so harshly is that they were kept in the dark until we are almost month before the release. Has it been stated since the beginning that upcoming SH5 will be Type VII simulator only, limited to the portion of the war, people would probably not be disappointed.

What makes me annoyed is the fact that SH5 is not really "continuance" of the franchise and (because of its limitations) should be released under different name. Sorry devs, but SH5 title IS misleading. Had you announced that the "line" of Silent Hunter franchise was abandoned and the game was being released as (for example): Type VII: Atlantic War 1939-1943 the overall acceptance of the game might be much more positive.

urfisch · 01-20-10, 03:34 PM

we just know about ONE straight limitation so far, and this is the players sub.

and there are also some other, like limited interaction (none, i guess) with other boats, limited interaction with bdu and a limited, player affected campaign, which ends in 1943. BUT these limitations are not stated as unchangeable so far!!! so, lets hope for a good base of modability and we will have the best sim we ever wanted.

if not, its going to be like a hamburger. nice to eat, but fast eaten up and you´re getting hungry soon after eaten it.

we will see.

Seaman_Hornsby · 01-20-10, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

So, let's see what we get in March. Let's see how modable it is. And let's see how enjoyable it is to play before we trash it.

So nice to read some sense amid all the griping.

01-20-10, 04:26 PM

as i expected, there is a lot i am dissappointed to read and there is also

a lot about sh5 that i am very happy to read about.

give it a few more reads guys and do it with an open mind

and you will see they are giving us a very very moddable game

is it perect? nope, it is tragic? nope, will i buy it? yes definately

i see sh5 as a ready made fixer-upper that just needs to be fine tuned by the modders to be a very great game. after all, we as modders are able to devote a lot more time to the game then the devs are allowed to so i trust this will be a wonderfull game when modded.

plus dont forget they said near the end that if sh5 did well it was likely we would see an expansion for it to add more subs and content to the end of the war. i dont mind paying for another ($10-$15 hopefully) expansion if the new content is done correctly and ads something more to the game.

JScones · 01-20-10, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDK1044

Let's step back and look at this from a different perspective. Let's say that Silent Hunter III had never been released. What impression would people now have of what we know about the upcoming Silent Hunter V?

But, um, it has? So why pretend that it hasn't.

Anyway, I'm a bit uncomfortable reading comments like "1943 was the end of the U-boat war anyway". I can't help but think of all the brave ubootwaffe men who fought and died for their country throughout 1944 and 1945. Somehow, I don't think they'd agree that the U-boat war ended in 1943...unwinnable yes...over, no...

Mikhayl · 01-20-10, 07:04 PM

That's playing semantics here

Sure the war didn't end in May '43 for u-boats, but the Battle of the Atlantic was over.

JScones · 01-20-10, 07:21 PM

That wasn't a go at you Mikhayl - there's been a number of similar comments across a number of threads. To me, some just seem to dismiss the rest of the u-boat war as if it didn't exist.

The fact is, the Battle of the Atlantic didn't actually end until May 1945. Check any source. It's just that it was more or less decided by Sep 1943. Still, Doenitz didn't give up and fought to the end. Ending it at mid-1943 is like ending a football game at 3 quarter time because one team is leading 40 to 0.

longam · 01-20-10, 07:29 PM

Well if it means that they can give us more realistic content and historical war events up until 43 then I have to say bravo dev team.

01-21-10, 04:24 AM

there's a big problem here. The devs seem to be relying on the modding community to make SHV a great game.

Don't get me wrong. I love GWX. But if youre developing a game, you should aspire to make it great, not mediocre and then expect the modding community to fix it for you.

The devs just seem to have the wrong mentality here.

SHIII was full of bugs on release. SHIV was full of bugs on release. SHV...?

Laffertytig · 01-21-10, 04:54 AM

the fact that only the 1st few years of the war isnt moddeled aint that much of a surprise. in the current gaming climate its the norm to release games 1/2 or 3/4 complete and then release and charge for dlc. do i agree with it? hell no, but if the content is good and the price is right then il buy it for sure.

and if the dlc for sh5 will fund dev time to provide a more rich campaign of the later years then im all for it.

01-20-10, 03:34 PM	#7
urfisch Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Deep down in Germany Posts: 1,969 Downloads: 42 Uploads: 0	we just know about ONE straight limitation so far, and this is the players sub. and there are also some other, like limited interaction (none, i guess) with other boats, limited interaction with bdu and a limited, player affected campaign, which ends in 1943. BUT these limitations are not stated as unchangeable so far!!! so, lets hope for a good base of modability and we will have the best sim we ever wanted. if not, its going to be like a hamburger. nice to eat, but fast eaten up and you´re getting hungry soon after eaten it. we will see. __________________

01-20-10, 10:12 AM	#1
TDK1044 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 2,674 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Let's step back and look at this from a different perspective. Let's say that Silent Hunter III had never been released. What impression would people now have of what we know about the upcoming Silent Hunter V? What's being offered is a really good video game in the Das Boot mould, with a VII sub, first person crew interraction, a real dynamic campaign and good graphics. The primary demographic that Ubisoft is most interested in attracting with Silent Hunter V is the casual gamer. To that end, a video game version of Das Boot is right on the money. Of course there are going to be hard core simmers who don't like the fact that the game ends in 1943 and that it only offers a type VII sub. There will be a few here who don't purchase the game for those reasons. The gamble that Ubisoft is taking is that they will attract a new audience of players for Silent Hunter V, while also selling the game to most of the simmers who purchased Silent Hunter III and Silent Hunter IV. Hostility towards the Devs is out of line in my view. They inherit decisions made by the suits and they have to build the game that the publisher orders. Of course they have a lot of input, but they have no say in company strategy. So, let's see what we get in March. Let's see how modable it is. And let's see how enjoyable it is to play before we trash it.

01-20-10, 04:26 PM	#9
Webster Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	as i expected, there is a lot i am dissappointed to read and there is also a lot about sh5 that i am very happy to read about. give it a few more reads guys and do it with an open mind and you will see they are giving us a very very moddable game is it perect? nope, it is tragic? nope, will i buy it? yes definately i see sh5 as a ready made fixer-upper that just needs to be fine tuned by the modders to be a very great game. after all, we as modders are able to devote a lot more time to the game then the devs are allowed to so i trust this will be a wonderfull game when modded. plus dont forget they said near the end that if sh5 did well it was likely we would see an expansion for it to add more subs and content to the end of the war. i dont mind paying for another ($10-$15 hopefully) expansion if the new content is done correctly and ads something more to the game.

01-20-10, 07:04 PM	#11
Mikhayl Captain Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 485 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	That's playing semantics here Sure the war didn't end in May '43 for u-boats, but the Battle of the Atlantic was over.

01-20-10, 07:21 PM	#12
JScones Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,501 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	That wasn't a go at you Mikhayl - there's been a number of similar comments across a number of threads. To me, some just seem to dismiss the rest of the u-boat war as if it didn't exist. The fact is, the Battle of the Atlantic didn't actually end until May 1945. Check any source. It's just that it was more or less decided by Sep 1943. Still, Doenitz didn't give up and fought to the end. Ending it at mid-1943 is like ending a football game at 3 quarter time because one team is leading 40 to 0.

01-20-10, 07:29 PM	#13
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Well if it means that they can give us more realistic content and historical war events up until 43 then I have to say bravo dev team.

01-21-10, 04:24 AM	#14
aura Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	there's a big problem here. The devs seem to be relying on the modding community to make SHV a great game. Don't get me wrong. I love GWX. But if youre developing a game, you should aspire to make it great, not mediocre and then expect the modding community to fix it for you. The devs just seem to have the wrong mentality here. SHIII was full of bugs on release. SHIV was full of bugs on release. SHV...?

01-21-10, 04:54 AM	#15
Laffertytig Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 757 Downloads: 110 Uploads: 0	the fact that only the 1st few years of the war isnt moddeled aint that much of a surprise. in the current gaming climate its the norm to release games 1/2 or 3/4 complete and then release and charge for dlc. do i agree with it? hell no, but if the content is good and the price is right then il buy it for sure. and if the dlc for sh5 will fund dev time to provide a more rich campaign of the later years then im all for it.