[REQ] SH4 Air Mod

Digital_Trucker · 02-08-08, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AkbarGulag

I would like to say, we can start in X number of days, but clarity of purpose is a must before we cast off and expectations of a timetable, lead to a level of despondency if not met IMO.

So many ideas

I know exactly what you mean

Kinda like jumping in the car to go somewhere, but not knowing where you're going. Gets kind of depressing when someone asks "Are we there yet?" and not knowing how to answer

AkbarGulag · 02-08-08, 12:10 PM

We are probably closer and more organised than we realise

I wonder if something like Ventrilo would speed up the transfer of ideas on start-up. At least until everyone knows their tasks.

Digital_Trucker · 02-08-08, 01:33 PM

That or Teamspeak or even an IM/chat would probably be beneficial. The toughest part of that would be timing (depending on the locations of the parties involved).:hmm:

If the timing is too difficult to overcome, then, perhaps an email distribution list would be helpful (especially for passing small amounts of data back and forth).

CaptainHaplo · 02-08-08, 09:02 PM

Planes have been an issue for a good while - not only because of the number and visual acuity they possess - but also because of HOW they spawn.

If you hit a ship or ships, they ALL call in for air support if your first hit isnt an immediate kill. What this does is a number of things. First off, for single ship attacks you have a decent chance of not getting an overflight. However, if your hitting a convoy - even at night running "stock" numbers of .2 for an airstrike - thats a 20 percent chance the call will get heeded right? Wrong - thats a 20% chance for EACH ship in the group. Hit a group that has say 6 merchants and 4 destroyers - and your about guaranteed that at least one of those requests for air cover is going to get answered.

Second problem is that if a aircraft is launched, it heads EXACTLY to where you are. This is ok for the first bird - its going to fly out to the source of the attack, go past a little ways, and fly home if it doesnt see anything. But when subsequent aircraft are launched - they now are tasked to fly to where you presently are - even if you have moved from the last known location. No way these guys could know where you are - yet their spawn course is going to take them right over your head almost every time. That ruins realism!

Droping the number of aircraft and changing airstrike probabilities is a help, as is decreasing the sensor ability on the aircraft.

If we really wanted to get "historical" accuracy (without being able to code in search patterns), the way to do so is make the "random" airstrike probability very low, then put confirmed contact airstrikes reasonably higher. Night attacks are pretty much not going to happen unless its an important convoy, but there doesnt seem to be a way to assign aircraft to cover a convoy as yet.

When it comes to sensor acuity, visibility at night really should be heavily dependant on other factors, but there really isnt a way to define "Night stats" vs "Day Stats" as darkness only creates a singular "multiplier" of the base ability.
Only thing that could be done is to adjust that multiplier, but that will imbalance shipping at night, or make em able to see you OTH during the day.

If any need hel, I offer my own limited ability as well.

AkbarGulag · 02-09-08, 12:09 AM

The point you make about not being able to define if it is night/day has had me pickled also. Basically theres nothing we can do.... unless somehow you could link the game clock to another airstrike variable, but heck, if you could do that, then you could probably link sensors in the same way.. I have no idea how this would be done or even if it's possible. That sounds like codeing to me

Cheers for the offer Haplo

AkbarGulag · 02-09-08, 10:38 AM

CaptainHaplo just gave me a flash of inspiration...

If the game has an 'Airstrike Night Modifier', then SH4 has some way to link the game clock to the config and control files....

Can any of you MOD geniuses out there, explain how the game engine pulls that clock resource... and if it would be possible to plug other .cfg files into it?

If this was possible... the mind boggles... If anyone can enlighten me or can see the potential, please PM me. Especially the other main MODS in progress, you guys would benefit massively from this as well.. we all could. I will explain more to anyone that can help me.

Regards,

Akbar

View Poll Results: Do you think the air layer needs a major overhaul?
Yes	46	92.00%
No	4	8.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

02-08-08, 12:10 PM	#2
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	We are probably closer and more organised than we realise I wonder if something like Ventrilo would speed up the transfer of ideas on start-up. At least until everyone knows their tasks. __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."

02-08-08, 01:33 PM	#3
Digital_Trucker Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Peach State Posts: 4,171 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 10	That or Teamspeak or even an IM/chat would probably be beneficial. The toughest part of that would be timing (depending on the locations of the parties involved).:hmm: If the timing is too difficult to overcome, then, perhaps an email distribution list would be helpful (especially for passing small amounts of data back and forth). __________________ RSM-GIEP-Killflags-LV Tribute-Playable Elco __Peace be with you, Dave.

02-08-08, 09:02 PM	#4
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,405 Downloads: 31 Uploads: 0	Planes have been an issue for a good while - not only because of the number and visual acuity they possess - but also because of HOW they spawn. If you hit a ship or ships, they ALL call in for air support if your first hit isnt an immediate kill. What this does is a number of things. First off, for single ship attacks you have a decent chance of not getting an overflight. However, if your hitting a convoy - even at night running "stock" numbers of .2 for an airstrike - thats a 20 percent chance the call will get heeded right? Wrong - thats a 20% chance for EACH ship in the group. Hit a group that has say 6 merchants and 4 destroyers - and your about guaranteed that at least one of those requests for air cover is going to get answered. Second problem is that if a aircraft is launched, it heads EXACTLY to where you are. This is ok for the first bird - its going to fly out to the source of the attack, go past a little ways, and fly home if it doesnt see anything. But when subsequent aircraft are launched - they now are tasked to fly to where you presently are - even if you have moved from the last known location. No way these guys could know where you are - yet their spawn course is going to take them right over your head almost every time. That ruins realism! Droping the number of aircraft and changing airstrike probabilities is a help, as is decreasing the sensor ability on the aircraft. If we really wanted to get "historical" accuracy (without being able to code in search patterns), the way to do so is make the "random" airstrike probability very low, then put confirmed contact airstrikes reasonably higher. Night attacks are pretty much not going to happen unless its an important convoy, but there doesnt seem to be a way to assign aircraft to cover a convoy as yet. When it comes to sensor acuity, visibility at night really should be heavily dependant on other factors, but there really isnt a way to define "Night stats" vs "Day Stats" as darkness only creates a singular "multiplier" of the base ability. Only thing that could be done is to adjust that multiplier, but that will imbalance shipping at night, or make em able to see you OTH during the day. If any need hel, I offer my own limited ability as well. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

02-09-08, 12:09 AM	#5
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	The point you make about not being able to define if it is night/day has had me pickled also. Basically theres nothing we can do.... unless somehow you could link the game clock to another airstrike variable, but heck, if you could do that, then you could probably link sensors in the same way.. I have no idea how this would be done or even if it's possible. That sounds like codeing to me Cheers for the offer Haplo __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."

02-09-08, 10:38 AM	#6
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	CaptainHaplo just gave me a flash of inspiration... If the game has an 'Airstrike Night Modifier', then SH4 has some way to link the game clock to the config and control files.... Can any of you MOD geniuses out there, explain how the game engine pulls that clock resource... and if it would be possible to plug other .cfg files into it? If this was possible... the mind boggles... If anyone can enlighten me or can see the potential, please PM me. Especially the other main MODS in progress, you guys would benefit massively from this as well.. we all could. I will explain more to anyone that can help me. Regards, Akbar __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."