More attractive SH4

[maerean_m]

Do you think SH4 will more attractive to new players if

• you would have unlimited torpedoes (the reserves would fill up immediately)
• the enemy would see you 10 times harder
• your sub couldn't sink/die, even when heavily hit
• your crewmen couldn't die

when playing on easy mode?

Should all these be put in a GOD mode checkbox selectable from the "Gameplay settings" menu?


Do you think more people would be interested in SH4 if there would be a small manual accessible from the game's interface to explain the AOB, the steps for estimating target's speed etc? What else should that manual contain?

[C DuDe]

No, a good Demo would and maybe a tutorial inserted.

[Seadogs]

I really don't think it attracts many "arcady" types to begin with. But thats just me talking and I don't know squat.

However, I don't think it could ever be a bad idea for ingame documentation.

[the_belgian]

I selected the best of the two but both could be welcome(if the first would be a full selectable option i would set it to
NO you would have unlimited torpedoes (the reserves would fill up immediately)
NO the enemy would see you 10 times harder
NO your sub couldn't sink/die, even when heavily hit
NO your crewmen couldn't die
)

[AVGWarhawk]

Inception of the game to the gaming community I recall quite a few asking if there is unlimited torpedoes button. I do not think there was a call for a undestructable mode within the game. However, there is a small group who like such things and enjoy playing that way. Uberboot for SH3 comes to mind concerning this. With exception of unlimited torpedoes I do not see a benefit of any of the others mentioned in the poll. You will find that most players long for the ultimate realism short of actually manning a submarine and sinking ships in the real world.

[JScones]

1. I'm not for rolling all the "easy" options into one GOD mode, as it is a bit subjective, but I do think that having unlimited torpedoes, indestructable sub/crew and decreased enemy visual options could be quite handy for some players.

I mean, I can't recall many, if any, simulations that don't have such options. And while that by itself is no reason to justify adding them to SH4, I can see times where even more mainstream players just want to go out and blast things, let alone new players easing themselves into the game.

I'd also suggest something like a decreased enemy AI option as well, but having not really played SH4, such an option may not be needed - others can comment on that. Likewise, is there currently an unlimited fuel option? I guess there would be (I really should install SH4).

Although, having said this, I prolly still question if the return is really worth the investment - I don't know how much effort it would be to add such options. But if the investment is small, then why not open SH4 up to a broader style of playing?

2. Definately agree on the manual inclusion.

[AkbarGulag]

Originally Posted by JScones

Likewise, is there currently an unlimited fuel option? I guess there would be (I really should install SH4).

Certainly is Scones.. its one of the checkbox options in the game settings. Unlimited batteries as well if you want to motor around underwater ^^

I personally wouldn't be interested in GOD mode as I think it would make the game to shallow and it would bore me in minutes. But i'm sure there would be some who like such things... there always is in just about everyother game I guess.

[John Channing]

Given that the question is about atracting new players to the game there is no question that the first options would help.

Falcon 3.0 had a mode that allowed you to fly around and blow things up without ever getting hurt. This was a great help in getting you to learn how to fly, fight and play. It did get boring very quickly, but then you would start increasing the difficulty options (usually after going to some of the flight-sim boards and hearing how rewarding a "real" kill could be) until you developed some skills in the game.

The problem is that there are no "learner" sub-sims around. Prior to Falcon 3.0 most (if not all) flightsims were very simple affairs with the accent on gameplay and player rewards and not on fidelity. This allowed the hobby to develop a large following before the level of diffulty got increased to the level it is today.

With a new Subsim coming out every 2-3 years people just have to jump in and hope for the best. It must be very frustrating for new players.

As far as the in- game manual goes it would be better to have a voice over video instruction video included with the game as well as a printed tutorial (using screen shots from the video). It would not be that hard to do.

JCC

[TDK1044]

Yes. Offer a 'super easy' mode to attract arcade players. This would potentially increase sales, and players using that mode might then learn to play the game as a sim and understand that it's much more fun that way. The rest of us lose nothing by this option being included.

[ktrboston]

I do not think SH4 should have GOD mode were is the fun in that. I think that is why people buy SH4 to get the real deal. I think a tutural would be nice to explain some of the things you have stated above.

[elanaiba]

Frankly, I'm not sure that such options would touch the right players.

Easy options help, but at some point there is a risk that new players treat the game the wrong way, think its totally boring (unlimited torpedoes or not, unless a big check box changes the way the campaign works, they will have have about zero fun) and unrewarding.

There was this discussion of unlimited torpedoes for multiplayer. That would have lead to more than say 1/2 of the servers online using it, translating to ridiculous gameplay and no kill satisfaction, and even quicker abandoning of the online play.

[John Channing]

I guess my point is who are "the right players"?

I started out as a Subsim player with the usual list of software on my pc (SS2, Wolfpack, AOD. SSN 21 Seawolf, etc). One day I was in some software store and saw "Fleet Defender" and thought "Cool.. another way to blow up ships"! I started out with hard settings and just about gave up on the thing. Someone on the usenet group comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.flightsims suggested I try easy mode and I was hooked.

I don't want to think how much I spent on flightsims since then.

People won't know if they are the right people until they try it. SHIV:WOTP has all of the other elements to hook the casual player (graphics, explosions, easy targeting) so it makes sense to me to have an option to open the tent flap up that last litle bit and welcome everybody in. Then, they can decide.

JCC

[mookiemookie]

Agreed with JScones...I suppose if God mode was an easy to implement option, it would be okay. But trying to be all things to all people can lead to mediocre results. As long as it doesn't detract from other aspects of the sim, then I don't see the harm.

Now better documentation on the other hand, would be wonderful. Especially in light of the way the instruction manual is.

[Sonarman]

Perhaps Ubi should follow the lead of Werner Sobe with his excellent tutorial videos.

[Ducimus]

Best way to help new players in a submarine simulation, is with easy to understand documentation informing them of information they are not aware of.