SUBSIM: Silent Hunter 5 preview - Page 2

karamazovnew · 02-21-10, 11:42 PM

Superb preview Neal

.

I have one question: is it possible to set a course manually to a specific heading as it was in sh1-sh4?
So far I've yet to see a way to input course or rudder angle apart from clicking on the minimap to change the heading.

ThePinkSubmarine · 02-21-10, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pythos

I recall in reading about the uniforms of the Uboat waffen that there was no "uniform" for on sea operations. In other words there was no one way for the crews of these boats to dress, when at sea.

That's my understanding as well...

Neal -- what can you do as far as upgrades? Can you upgrade sub systems like in the older games in the series?

Any hint of a 'fast dive deck?' I saw a picture of one for the 1st time not too long ago...wish I could remember where - because I have NEVER seen a picture of a U-Boat featuring anything even remotely like that before.

Onkel Neal · 02-21-10, 11:51 PM

Here's the reason as I understand it games get a patch on the first day it goes on sale: the game's development team has a ship date they are trying to make. Rarely if ever is a game on schedule and they can tie a nice bow on it and ship bugfree by the deadline. In most cases, they are behind schedule and putting in long hours to get everything working decently, trying to work out the major showstopper bugs first. When the day comes, they will put together a build and send it to be mastered. This gives them two more weeks before the game hits the stores to work on the game and that work gets to greet the game as patch 1. So, they know there are things that need attention, it's a matter of resources. If the game publisher thinks allocating more resources (people to work on it) for a 2nd and 3rd patch will keep sales coming in, they may elect to do that, support the game with another patch.

That's the way I understand it, there are folks here who know more about that end of the game biz than me.

A sub game: For the game publisher, it's a business decision. For the gamer, it's a consumer decision. For people like me who love all sub games, it's a necessity.

ThePinkSubmarine · 02-21-10, 11:53 PM

Neal --

I know you can't be specific since you have the pre-release version (and that'd be unfair to down play a pre=release copy). But as far as initial bugs go -- are looking about the same as SH4 when it first came out?

609_Avatar · 02-21-10, 11:57 PM

Neal and thanks. Was a good read! Like others here, I'm looking forward to your review with bated breath.

Adriatico · 02-22-10, 12:17 AM

It will take a fair amount of love to nurse this baby - both from Ubi and community side... till it's first birthday.
But I'm afraid that one parent axed up the relationship into divorce...

Your preview needs no patches or moding...
Thanks Neal!

Onkel Neal · 02-22-10, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karamazovnew

Superb preview Neal

.

I have one question: is it possible to set a course manually to a specific heading as it was in sh1-sh4?
So far I've yet to see a way to input course or rudder angle apart from clicking on the minimap to change the heading.

Yes, you are correct, there was no simple way to change course, such as a compass rose or rudder dial. You can change by moving the waypoints (which I forgot to mention, the waypoint system is well done.) or you can use Shift <-- or Shift --> for full rudder port and starboard, with 0 on the keypad to center amidships. Now, that may change in the final version, I don't know. That's why I don't mention those things specifically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePinkSubmarine

That's my understanding as well...

Neal -- what can you do as far as upgrades? Can you upgrade sub systems like in the older games in the series?

Any hint of a 'fast dive deck?' I saw a picture of one for the 1st time not too long ago...wish I could remember where - because I have NEVER seen a picture of a U-Boat featuring anything even remotely like that before.

I know you can't be specific since you have the pre-release version (and that'd be unfair to down play a pre=release copy). But as far as initial bugs go -- are looking about the same as SH4 when it first came out?

No, in my version there was no commander's office with the screens for rewarding officers, changing men, and upgrading the sub. Again, that may be in the final version. These preview builds do not always have all the eventual items included.

As far as estimating the release game's quality based on the preview build, you're right, I am hesitant to do that. The release game + patch 1 could be a solid game, who knows? My build had its share of problems, I think it is detrimental to the core market segment (you) to paint a rosy picture when the reality may be grim. I've had a hunch the game was in trouble for months, based on the Ubisoft's maddening reluctance to allow access to the game as it developed. If I was going to guess, I would say we are more along the lines of Silent Hunter 2, in terms of quality and finish.

Yeah, I know.

But, have faith, because as clunky as SH2 was, most of the Subsim community bit the bullet and bought it, and made the best of it. And it sold well in the general market, too. I guess people were starved for some U-boat action, even if it had useless AI and a scripted campaign. Those sales became the reason Ubisoft greenlit another U-boat game, and we know what that was. So who knows, maybe SH5 will arrive in fairly good shape, maybe its casual gamer appeal will transate into big sales across the market segments. And maybe, just maybe, Ubisoft will follow through and deliver support. They did it in the past.

And yes, I will not argue that people should feel obligated to buy an unfinished game, or a game of poor quality. Let me get that in there before I get hit over the head with it

It's your money, it's a free market, do as you wish. We have choices, pick some other high fidelity U-boat subsim. We still have SH3!

ThePinkSubmarine · 02-22-10, 12:27 AM

Well you don't have to sell me Neal -- Although I'm sad to hear that; but that's always been UBI's problem.

I already bit the bullet and pre-ordered the game! I've never been a Type VII fan; but all I know -- is there's NO way BdU is sending me in the Med without a VIIC/41 with an anti-aircraft upgrade...too many Allied planes in that neck of the woods!

Iron Budokan · 02-22-10, 01:16 AM

Thank you for the preview, Neal. You answered many of my questions, and cemented many of my previously held beliefs regarding this game.

brett25 · 02-22-10, 01:31 AM

thanks alot for that review

THE_MASK · 02-22-10, 01:44 AM

This was on my wishlist "Time compression includes a feature to let you ignore friendly vessel alerts, so in theory, you won't drop out of TC unless an enemy shows up. "

JScones · 02-22-10, 02:31 AM

Easily the most balanced, considered and informative SH5 preview I have read to date. Thanks Neal.

Sgtmonkeynads · 02-22-10, 02:36 AM

The Cook is the onlly Nazi on board.....Be nice to him, he's making your food.

Tell me Neal, how hard was it to NOT type.." or, No Soup For You !" I don't think I could have resisted the perfect set up for a Sienfeld joke of that calibur. Good preview review, gives me a different look at the whole game now and it will be better in a few months after being modded. But man what a canvas the guys have to work with this time. I can't wait for the future.

Buck_O · 02-22-10, 03:06 AM

Thanks Neal, I agree with your opinion on the interface. Needs to have a more 1940's feel...mechanical....not modern computer..ish..

The Enigma · 02-22-10, 03:50 AM

Thanks for the preview.

After reading it, I must conclude that the action elements are shifted towards
interior and crew and moved away from manual navigation and targeting.
Am I correct with that?

02-21-10, 11:51 PM	#18
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,284 Downloads: 534 Uploads: 224	Here's the reason as I understand it games get a patch on the first day it goes on sale: the game's development team has a ship date they are trying to make. Rarely if ever is a game on schedule and they can tie a nice bow on it and ship bugfree by the deadline. In most cases, they are behind schedule and putting in long hours to get everything working decently, trying to work out the major showstopper bugs first. When the day comes, they will put together a build and send it to be mastered. This gives them two more weeks before the game hits the stores to work on the game and that work gets to greet the game as patch 1. So, they know there are things that need attention, it's a matter of resources. If the game publisher thinks allocating more resources (people to work on it) for a 2nd and 3rd patch will keep sales coming in, they may elect to do that, support the game with another patch. That's the way I understand it, there are folks here who know more about that end of the game biz than me. A sub game: For the game publisher, it's a business decision. For the gamer, it's a consumer decision. For people like me who love all sub games, it's a necessity. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

02-21-10, 11:57 PM	#20
609_Avatar Watch Officer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 3rd Planet From The Sun Posts: 345 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Neal and thanks. Was a good read! Like others here, I'm looking forward to your review with bated breath. __________________ Avatar

02-22-10, 12:17 AM	#21
Adriatico Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2007 Location: Periscope depth Posts: 860 Downloads: 119 Uploads: 0	It will take a fair amount of love to nurse this baby - both from Ubi and community side... till it's first birthday. But I'm afraid that one parent axed up the relationship into divorce... Your preview needs no patches or moding... Thanks Neal! __________________

02-22-10, 01:16 AM	#24
Iron Budokan Sea Lord Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,778 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Thank you for the preview, Neal. You answered many of my questions, and cemented many of my previously held beliefs regarding this game. __________________ "You will take on England wherever you find her ships, and you will break her power at sea." --Iron Coffins, Herbert A. Werner http://kennethmarkhoover.com

02-22-10, 01:31 AM	#25
brett25 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oakland CA, USA Posts: 737 Downloads: 570 Uploads: 0	thanks alot for that review __________________ http://shmf.larsbundgaard.dk/index.p...1tn5&board=7.0

02-21-10, 11:42 PM	#16
karamazovnew The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 1,403 Downloads: 151 Uploads: 0	Superb preview Neal . I have one question: is it possible to set a course manually to a specific heading as it was in sh1-sh4? So far I've yet to see a way to input course or rudder angle apart from clicking on the minimap to change the heading.

02-21-10, 11:53 PM	#19
ThePinkSubmarine Seaman Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona - No Ocean Here! Posts: 42 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Neal -- I know you can't be specific since you have the pre-release version (and that'd be unfair to down play a pre=release copy). But as far as initial bugs go -- are looking about the same as SH4 when it first came out?

02-22-10, 12:27 AM	#23
ThePinkSubmarine Seaman Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arizona - No Ocean Here! Posts: 42 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Well you don't have to sell me Neal -- Although I'm sad to hear that; but that's always been UBI's problem. I already bit the bullet and pre-ordered the game! I've never been a Type VII fan; but all I know -- is there's NO way BdU is sending me in the Med without a VIIC/41 with an anti-aircraft upgrade...too many Allied planes in that neck of the woods!

02-22-10, 01:44 AM	#26
THE_MASK Ace of the deep . Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9,226 Downloads: 901 Uploads: 73	This was on my wishlist "Time compression includes a feature to let you ignore friendly vessel alerts, so in theory, you won't drop out of TC unless an enemy shows up. "

02-22-10, 02:31 AM	#27
JScones Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,501 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Easily the most balanced, considered and informative SH5 preview I have read to date. Thanks Neal.

02-22-10, 02:36 AM	#28
Sgtmonkeynads Ships Secretary Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MilesCity Montana Posts: 583 Downloads: 614 Uploads: 0	The Cook is the onlly Nazi on board.....Be nice to him, he's making your food. Tell me Neal, how hard was it to NOT type.." or, No Soup For You !" I don't think I could have resisted the perfect set up for a Sienfeld joke of that calibur. Good preview review, gives me a different look at the whole game now and it will be better in a few months after being modded. But man what a canvas the guys have to work with this time. I can't wait for the future. __________________ Just help someone.....it makes a difference

02-22-10, 03:06 AM	#29
Buck_O Helmsman Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: California Posts: 110 Downloads: 46 Uploads: 0	Thanks Neal, I agree with your opinion on the interface. Needs to have a more 1940's feel...mechanical....not modern computer..ish..

02-22-10, 03:50 AM	#30
The Enigma Seer of visions Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Under the surface Posts: 2,315 Downloads: 31 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the preview. After reading it, I must conclude that the action elements are shifted towards interior and crew and moved away from manual navigation and targeting. Am I correct with that? __________________ Last edited by The Enigma; 02-22-10 at 04:02 AM.