Is SH5 the Future of Silent Hunter?

[scrapser]

Originally Posted by janh

(1) I think that is what Elenaiba meant in his post when he spoke of his teams design goal not necessarily being the same that people may have expected the game to be. I think what they had in mind is quite logic, i.e. to increase the immersion to a "Das Boot" like level you need a human component, i.e. you have to leave the submarine sim and make it a caption or crew simulation included. They may or may not have wanted to provide what most people here at subsim wanted it to be (see Neals review).

(2) I do have servere doubts about this trend to online games. Many games, like this play as well or even better as single player. Especially when you enjoy hours of running around a convoy to get into attack position with little action -- how many online players would join that? Many other games suffer from the same problem, and the AI in WITP-AE for my taste should have received more attention than it obviously did. But developing a strong AI is brain and cost intensive, and something that unlike eye-candy doesn't immediately show and support the sales factor.
However, many gamers may not have the time to join online games, and depend on others for playing. I think it is a nice addition to have, but if you build on only that, you will definitely loose a lot of customers.

I personally do not want a sub captain simulation. Getting the crew to do their job is part of the day to day life on board and there will be good days and bad. That can be just as easily simulated with a randomizing function. Just as I do not play FPS games that are third person view (like Lara Croft for example). I prefer to see through my own eyes so the screen represents what I am seeing while onboard. I think having to run around the entire submarine to get things done is not simulating anything but that's just me.

As far as submarine simulations as experienced on a computer, I think they are the perfect companions for each other. A sub sim is the ultimate strategy game. You can sit down with a cup of coffee and for hours take in information and plan ahead. It is quite immersive in an intellectual way which is why I'm not so bent on the eye-candy.

There are two types of games out there...one is instant gratification (consoles are perfect for these games)...the other is intellectual and can include FPS if the AI is halfway decent. Simulations are obviously intellectual games.

[Bilge_Rat]

Originally Posted by scrapser

I think having to run around the entire submarine to get things done is not simulating anything but that's just me.

On that last point, I thought at first that being able to walk though the entire boat was just a marketing gimmick since I was perfectly happy with the SH3/4 model. However, after having spent a few weeks in my virtual Type VII, I am sold on the concept.

Having to go down the ladder to dive, going to the conning tower to use the attack scope, the command room to use the observation scope, the sonar room to use the sonar. You get a very good feel for the size of a sub, the layout, where everything is. I find I more naturally use the observation scope or the attack scope as they were meant to be used.

When running deep, I also spend a lot more time than I used to at 1x, just standing around or pacing the command room, watching the crew, listening to reports. I find I will naturally move to check the actual dials in the boat rather than a popup screen. I now know where all the important dials are located on the sub.

It is very immersive....