[REQ] To which extent can Silent Hunter 5 be modded?

[0rpheus]

Originally Posted by GlobalExplorer

Thank you very much for responding in this style, that's a lot of very useful information.

One question that was not really answered is the scripting of crew dialogs. I wonder if it would be possible to use the scripting engine to bring this feature to its full potential. For example you talk to the 2WO and it triggers a speech file from Das Boot. Or something more inventive, in the long run.

I have tried the various UI mods. I see the guys have already achieved a lot but considering from where this game started, I'm still not sure that the SH5 engine can handle really slick interfaces. My personal opinion of course.

As to graphics mods they also make a big difference but to my eyes it is still a mixed bag between almost photo realistic and downright horrid at other times, mostly due to the post processing filters. That's why I am really looking for ways to disable or turn them down and made some experiments with GFXSettings.cfg and Lights.cfg. I was able to make some changes to the glowing crew members in the interior, so it looks like it can be done in theory.

Of course this is subjective. Personally I do not like them one bit as they are all athmosphere killers to me. And I know that I am not alone too. Well, I must probably dig a bit more to find the respective mods.

Obviously there are limits to what can be done, but considering the stock state of the game, especially the UI, I think the advancements are quite significant already.

Re the scripting of the crew dialogue, this would have to be done in tandem with recording of new dialogue, as one would be pretty useless without the other. I've seen the crew dialogue files and editing them would be easy enough; it's more a case of time/necessity. Creating new text dialogue is something I've considered undertaking, but I don't have the knowledge to turn it into an actual mod, and I really don't have the time right now. Maybe next year though..

Re post-process filters, the only real issue I have with them is the slightly flaky anti-aliasing. I believe there's some SSAO (which looks nice imo) too, but beyond that I don't know specifics. You might be able to tweak the cfgs as you say, but in terms of specific post-process effects, you'll probably be limited by whatever is in those cfgs - if it ain't there, you can't change it, would be my guess. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though!

The mods you want to remove the speech bubbles is 'No Damn Bubbles, No Damn Halo':

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=162677

There's another mod that removes the '!' icon to indicate new 'speech' available, but memory fails me on that one. Sure someone else will know however.

And for the record, Sailor Steve is a top chap, as are most of the people that have replied to your thread. It is simply the case that the great majority of your questions could have been answered with a quick google, and that many of us here get quite tired of continually repeating ourselves. You do have a point though, the stickies do really need updating (or maybe an FAQ posted). It's perfectly fine to ask about the future potential of modding, but over 50% of what you saw as the 'future' has already been implemented in one way or another, hence the slightly unfavourable reactions.

I maintain, however, that no-one set out to offend you, and would also point out that accusing members of 'internet addiction' and other similar reactions will result in you getting no help whatsoever. Since they didn't mean to offend you, and you didn't mean to offend in the OP, let's chalk this one up to misinterpretation on all sides and get on with the business of sinking ships.