Iron Coffins - is the AI too easy??

horrgakx · 02-14-07, 04:58 AM

I've read with interest the threads about GWX AI being quite hard on the player. Well, I thought this too. That is until I read "Iron Coffins" by Herbert Werner.

He describes first hand how he battled the improving Allied sub-hunting technology and how he was battered by Destroyers and Aircraft, particularly late in the war. After reading it, and being in 1944/5 in SHIII, I get the distinct impression that we really have it easy in the game.

Its a stunning read and I was surprised how I could relate to events within the game. The Amazon UK link to it is here; http://tinyurl.com/ys5c4m and the synopsis follows;

This is a story of triumph, disaster and eventual survival - against all odds. Herbert Werner was one of the few U-boat commanders whose skill, daring and incredible luck saw him safely through to the end of the war. His is an epic and chilling description of the fearful havoc wrought by one small U-boat on the Atlantic convoys. But easy success ebbed away in the face of ever-improving Allied detection and attack techniques. The hunters became the prey, to suffer appalling losses. Of 842 U-boats launched 779 were sunk, 'iron-coffins' to 28,000 men. Herbert Werner's graphic account of war waged from beneath the sea, of horror and cold, cruel death, is dedicated to the seamen of all nations who died in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Dave

Mooncatt · 02-14-07, 08:11 AM

looks like a good read m8. with regards to how difficult the A.I is i would say its down to the player. some people think the A.I is quite easy and some like myself consider it to be rather tough. bottom line is that at the end of the day it is just A.I its never gonna perfectly represent the actual actions of a human being although saying that sh3 A.I does a bloody good job

ReallyDedPoet · 02-14-07, 08:12 AM

Yeah thats a great read

Edit: Should add that I do not think that the AI is to easy, plus you can ramp up your realim settings to add even more challenge, one of the things about this series that makes it so good.

AVGWarhawk · 02-14-07, 08:20 AM

I believe the GWX AI are very good. In fact we have it darn easy because there are no FIDO or sonobouy to contend with. Have a few sonobouy around you and a FIDO up the wazoo along with a few DD for good measure.....yeah that gets ugly. To make a good balance the GWX AI need to be tough and I believe that balance is achieved. The limitations of the game does not take it further unfortunately.

jasonsagert · 02-14-07, 08:48 AM

Ok, if you're reading this thread, and you a haven't read Iron Coffins--stop, get your jacket, and go to your nearest bookstore. If they don't have it, yell something at them about stocking crap books, then go home and find it on the internet and buy it.

Read it once, and then you'll want to read it again.

I've literally read hundreds of books, but Iron Coffins is one of my favorites. I've probably read the thing 5 times, and still find myself re-reading portions of it all the time. Damn, if you like U-boats and SH3, Iron Coffins will give you a boner. Yes, you didn't misread that, it will give you a boner.

That's all I have to say about that,

J

RawRecruit · 02-14-07, 08:54 AM

Regarding the AI, I think the DDs should stay around a bit longer, though. Always remember the bit in the Cruel Sea (I know it's fiction, but the author was a RN sailor on escorts I believe) where the captain of the Saltash silently hangs about for hours believing a U-boat is still there, and when the U-boat thinks the enemy has long gone and starts moving they DC it to death!!

02-14-07, 04:58 AM	#1
horrgakx Ensign Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 230 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Iron Coffins - is the AI too easy?? I've read with interest the threads about GWX AI being quite hard on the player. Well, I thought this too. That is until I read "Iron Coffins" by Herbert Werner. He describes first hand how he battled the improving Allied sub-hunting technology and how he was battered by Destroyers and Aircraft, particularly late in the war. After reading it, and being in 1944/5 in SHIII, I get the distinct impression that we really have it easy in the game. Its a stunning read and I was surprised how I could relate to events within the game. The Amazon UK link to it is here; http://tinyurl.com/ys5c4m and the synopsis follows; This is a story of triumph, disaster and eventual survival - against all odds. Herbert Werner was one of the few U-boat commanders whose skill, daring and incredible luck saw him safely through to the end of the war. His is an epic and chilling description of the fearful havoc wrought by one small U-boat on the Atlantic convoys. But easy success ebbed away in the face of ever-improving Allied detection and attack techniques. The hunters became the prey, to suffer appalling losses. Of 842 U-boats launched 779 were sunk, 'iron-coffins' to 28,000 men. Herbert Werner's graphic account of war waged from beneath the sea, of horror and cold, cruel death, is dedicated to the seamen of all nations who died in the Battle of the Atlantic. Dave

02-14-07, 08:11 AM	#2
Mooncatt Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Keighley UK Posts: 938 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	looks like a good read m8. with regards to how difficult the A.I is i would say its down to the player. some people think the A.I is quite easy and some like myself consider it to be rather tough. bottom line is that at the end of the day it is just A.I its never gonna perfectly represent the actual actions of a human being although saying that sh3 A.I does a bloody good job __________________

02-14-07, 08:12 AM	#3
ReallyDedPoet Canadian Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada. The one and only, East Coast Posts: 10,886 Downloads: 946 Uploads: 5	Yeah thats a great read Edit: Should add that I do not think that the AI is to easy, plus you can ramp up your realim settings to add even more challenge, one of the things about this series that makes it so good. __________________ Back in the Day Last edited by ReallyDedPoet; 02-14-07 at 10:14 AM.

02-14-07, 08:20 AM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,261 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I believe the GWX AI are very good. In fact we have it darn easy because there are no FIDO or sonobouy to contend with. Have a few sonobouy around you and a FIDO up the wazoo along with a few DD for good measure.....yeah that gets ugly. To make a good balance the GWX AI need to be tough and I believe that balance is achieved. The limitations of the game does not take it further unfortunately. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

02-14-07, 08:48 AM	#5
jasonsagert Torpedoman Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 113 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Ok, if you're reading this thread, and you a haven't read Iron Coffins--stop, get your jacket, and go to your nearest bookstore. If they don't have it, yell something at them about stocking crap books, then go home and find it on the internet and buy it. Read it once, and then you'll want to read it again. I've literally read hundreds of books, but Iron Coffins is one of my favorites. I've probably read the thing 5 times, and still find myself re-reading portions of it all the time. Damn, if you like U-boats and SH3, Iron Coffins will give you a boner. Yes, you didn't misread that, it will give you a boner. That's all I have to say about that, J

02-14-07, 08:54 AM	#6
RawRecruit Sailor man Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 50 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Regarding the AI, I think the DDs should stay around a bit longer, though. Always remember the bit in the Cruel Sea (I know it's fiction, but the author was a RN sailor on escorts I believe) where the captain of the Saltash silently hangs about for hours believing a U-boat is still there, and when the U-boat thinks the enemy has long gone and starts moving they DC it to death!!