I love the Silent Hunter Series

[Krauter]

^ Agreed with all points

However, this game, as well as all "simulator" games are just that, games.

It's an exercise in compromise. Unless you can actually develop a game with realistic AI crew, and officers that do their respective jobs where you, as captain, only have options to give orders and set waypoints (let's be realistic, no listening to hydrophone, looking at radar, etc) then that kind of takes the 'fun' aspect out of the game of doing some of the work yourself.

As TDW said, the more options we have, the better the game becomes and the wider the audience it becomes available to; from the arcadey blow things skyhigh (we have yet to develop a turkey shoot mod though ) to the (semi)-realistic no map contacts, little to no dials, etc.

Just my two cents.

Krauter

Originally Posted by BigBANGtheory

along with Privateers dev tools for modders are the eels testicles

I want to keep the Tools as simple as possible.
Kind of like an Eels testicles.

[Zedi]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I will take a couple of small exceptions to that.

Teleport: In reality, if the captain is on the bridge and gives the order to dive, the crew goes down the hatch first, and the captain or senior officer goes last and dogs the hatch behind him. The crew does not tell the captain they can't dive because he is still on the bridge. The best compromise I can think of is a hotkey that walks you to the selected compartment. If you click the dive button it should run the crew down the hatch automatically, and then take you after them. Fix that and I'll agree with you.

Dials: In reality the captain gives an order and it is carried out. I agree, having the dials, or anything else for that matter, onscreen all the time is not realistic. The best compromise I've seen so far is the "6-Dials Simfeeling" mod for SH3, which has the screen empty at all times but the dials are there as slide-outs when you need them. Fix that and I'll agree with you.

Lock On Target: In reality the captain has these two handles on the periscope that let him keep the target centered at all times. It's hard to use the mouse to keep the target centered at the same time you're trying to use it to dial in torpedo settings. Fix that and I'll agree with you.

This is because you played way to much SH3. Time to move on and start using voice command nor keyboards shortcuts only. The UI should be completely clear except the chat box that is required time by time for the interaction with the crew, world events and such. If your addicted to dials, there is plenty of it on the sub, just move your avatar and take a look by yourself. Most important dials are in the command room, so all you need to do is just to look around.

I never had any problem to move my periscope and I dont use any fancy game mouse. I just move the scope by myself and give out orders by voice, what's so hard in it? And I'm doing many map drawings on a real paper with a real pencil. Is faster and more precise than with a mouse. Im sure the real captains did the same, so I don't call it a cheat.

And regarding the dive problem that the SH3 players keep pointing out again and again, I'm sure is not a big deal to mod it out and some day, somebody will do it. The dive time is the same, no matter who goes down the hatch first, the crew or the captain. I think many cry for the automatism on the dive sequence just because they have hard time to find and use the hatch.. was the biggest problem for all old sh3 players: "omg how I supose to get inside/outside the boat or use the ladders" :| The 3D environment seems to be a pain for some people.

[GertFroebe_neu]

I startet with SH2, then SH3, skipped SH4.
When SHV was released I had to buy it immediatly. Then I only played like one hour. After that I did not touch SHV for more than half a year. Now I finally tried it again and I have to say that I am starting to like it. Of course there are still some issues like the end of the game is set in 1943, but besides the known problems I like it. Even the UI makes sense to me.

I hope I will like it even more the more I play and the more cool MODs I install.

[GertFroebe_neu]

Originally Posted by GertFroebe_neu

I startet with SH2, then SH3, skipped SH4.
When SHV was released I had to buy it immediatly. Then I only played like one hour. After that I did not touch SHV for more than half a year. Now I finally tried it again and I have to say that I am starting to like it. Of course there are still some issues like the end of the game is set in 1943, but besides the known problems I like it. Even the UI makes sense to me.

I hope I will like it even more the more I play and the more cool MODs I install.

Sorry I did not know what I was dealing with. SH5 is weird, and I try to fight my way thru it with MODs.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Magnum

This is because you played way to much SH3. Time to move on and start using voice command nor keyboards shortcuts only.

Really? "Time to move on" sounds rather condescending.

The UI should be completely clear except the chat box that is required time by time for the interaction with the crew, world events and such. If your addicted to dials, there is plenty of it on the sub, just move your avatar and take a look by yourself. Most important dials are in the command room, so all you need to do is just to look around.

That's a valid argument, but is it truly unrealistic to give orders via a pop-up dial, or is that just your preference?

I never had any problem to move my periscope and I dont use any fancy game mouse. I just move the scope by myself and give out orders by voice, what's so hard in it? And I'm doing many map drawings on a real paper with a real pencil. Is faster and more precise than with a mouse. Im sure the real captains did the same, so I don't call it a cheat.

No question, real paper and pencil is much more realistic, and no cheat at all. But I stand by my judgement - having the periscope move with the target is not unrealistic.

And regarding the dive problem that the SH3 players keep pointing out again and again, I'm sure is not a big deal to mod it out and some day, somebody will do it.

I certainly hope so. On the other hand, I think I'm the only "SH3 player" who has said anything. Others who have complained about it are dedicated SH5 players, and I only entered the argument because you made their comments an issue.

The dive time is the same, no matter who goes down the hatch first, the crew or the captain. I think many cry for the automatism on the dive sequence just because they have hard time to find and use the hatch.. was the biggest problem for all old sh3 players: "omg how I supose to get inside/outside the boat or use the ladders" :| The 3D environment seems to be a pain for some people.

Once again you talk down to people who disagree with you. Your opinion is fine, as is theirs, so there is no need to accuse them of "crying" and blame it on their inability to do what you think is the right way. Again, it is unrealistic for the crew to tell you you can't dive because you haven't gone below yet. You argue for your version of realism, then turn around and argue against someone else's, even though that particular point is equally valid.

[Jimbuna]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and should also be entitled to a certain level of respect and understanding.

Some form opinions on gameplay experience only, others on historical accuracy, some are based upon short periods of game play and some base their opinions on lengthy periods of game play experience and modding involvement.

Each and every one of those opinions is as valid as the other, based on the perception of each individual.

NONE OF US IS AS CLEVER AS ALL OF US

[Marko]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I will take a couple of small exceptions to that.

Teleport: In reality, if the captain is on the bridge and gives the order to dive, the crew goes down the hatch first, and the captain or senior officer goes last and dogs the hatch behind him. The crew does not tell the captain they can't dive because he is still on the bridge. The best compromise I can think of is a hotkey that walks you to the selected compartment. If you click the dive button it should run the crew down the hatch automatically, and then take you after them. Fix that and I'll agree with you.

Dials: In reality the captain gives an order and it is carried out. I agree, having the dials, or anything else for that matter, onscreen all the time is not realistic. The best compromise I've seen so far is the "6-Dials Simfeeling" mod for SH3, which has the screen empty at all times but the dials are there as slide-outs when you need them. Fix that and I'll agree with you.

Lock On Target: In reality the captain has these two handles on the periscope that let him keep the target centered at all times. It's hard to use the mouse to keep the target centered at the same time you're trying to use it to dial in torpedo settings. Fix that and I'll agree with you.

I agree, otherwise the alternative is to be able to talk with the crew

there has been much said about SHV over the last year, some good, some bad, for me personaly it's been a step in the right direction as far as uboat sim goes.

we are never going to get sea water rushing down the hatch and making us wet while in front of a screen, heh, but the whole ambient feeling of SHV is better by far than previous versions by a long way (personaly speaking)

there is nothing I like better than starting up SHV and sitting on the bridge with the look outs, put my feet up and read a good book with a cuppa tea by my side, highly recommended and civilized. If the weather is good and I'm feeling like I could cope with anything I put the radio on as well. Yes, even order ahead 2/3s and enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea, admire the wonderfull and glorious sunsets provided by the skilled programmers. No one speaks out of turn unless it's important, what more do you want, a tv on the bridge continually keeping you awake, heh.

sid :- creator of fine slots.

[Subhuman230]

Well said