Getting 'Shells of Fury' attention and support

[XanderF]

I'm sure many are familiar with the in-game messenging/voice chat/etc client Xfire. It has support for many SubSims, including Silent Hunter 3, Silent Hunter 4, and Dangerous Waters.

But not 'Shells of Fury'. Yet! Generally, Xfire support is added to newer games when the devs can see that there is general interest for that.

So, to that end, if you use Xfire, and would like the ability to chat in 'Shells of Fury', track time played, etc - post over in the Xfire forums in my thread, here.

Yes, it's a long shot, as 'Shells of Fury' doesn't have any multiplayer support itself - but Xfire can chat across games just fine (so when you are playing this game on your own, you can still chat with other friends online playing Sh3/DW/Battlefield/etc), so I think it's still worth petitioning for!

[me262]

On the case, website sited and engaging.

[cdragon]

Ya know, interesting enough, menu screens mentioning "Network connection" and "Network Game" exist in the interface, although they aren't used in the game. So I think network play was planned was intended. Too bad that it wasn't included, for whatever reason.

[Bum]

I was surprised in the credits they only list 5 people who made this game. Can that be true? The credits list more guys on the publisher side that the actual guys who made the game.

[me262]

I bet, another rush job on a shoestring budget.

[XanderF]

Originally Posted by cdragon

Ya know, interesting enough, menu screens mentioning "Network connection" and "Network Game" exist in the interface, although they aren't used in the game. So I think network play was planned was intended. Too bad that it wasn't included, for whatever reason.

It IS a real shame, but given the absolutely abominable communications available in this era, and overall lack of co-ordination within the fleet (no wolf packs, here), it's not surprising. There really isn't that much USE for co-op multiplayer, and adversarial requires the addition of playable enemy forces. (Of course, heck, maybe that is what the rumored 'part 2' of the project is - adds OpFor and multiplayer with it. Hah, wouldn't that be a turn!)

[cdragon]

Originally Posted by XanderF

It IS a real shame, but given the absolutely abominable communications available in this era, and overall lack of co-ordination within the fleet (no wolf packs, here), it's not surprising. There really isn't that much USE for co-op multiplayer, and adversarial requires the addition of playable enemy forces. (Of course, heck, maybe that is what the rumored 'part 2' of the project is - adds OpFor and multiplayer with it. Hah, wouldn't that be a turn!)

I imagine a cool multiplayer game that takes advantage (? if you want to call it that ) of the methods of communication available during the Great War. Seeing that the blinker (flasher?) is modelled in the game for ship-to-ship communication within visual distance...wouldn't it be cool if the chat between players could be done by blinker. You'd type your message. The other player would see the blinker flashing on your sub's tower, then he would see the resulting message appear in the chat window when the message was finished being sent. OR the real hardcore could watch the blinker and read the morse as it's sent. Also, wireless telegraphy could be used for ship-to-ship communications over longer distances, but there would be the chance (very high given the technology) that the message would not be received.

C.

[CB..]

i can't help thinking that game devs miss a trick or two when thinking about online or multiplayer stuff...they seem to think it's either all or nothing...when in fact there's a whole world of imbetween that never gets explored...
for a tiny an trivial example..

take the historiccaptains text file in the game which is a simple text file listing the historical captains names and their tonnage (the usual sort of thing seen in most games)

change the CONCEPT behind the list to the names of your FLOTILLA comrades...

add the capability to go on-line after a mission and UPLOAD your missions completed and tonnage results.....and at the same time download every-one elses.....so when you view the historical captains results page in the game during a campaign you will be presented with a huge list of fellow SOF players their missions completed and results....it's a really silly and almost bizaare thing BUT you'd be surprised at just how addictive it becomes when it is a reality...daft really but very effective....after all you don't have to take part but it seems silly not too given that it is there and adds to the fun...sure you could cheat no doubt but with a couple of hundred names on the list you's soon get to know whose names were reliable..

anyhuw what i'm saying is that there are thousands of ways to enhance a game using on-line stuff that don't need a complicated full on multiplayer engine...

we have a lot of user run and developed "on_line" campaigns with forums misssions role play etc etc...which really can add hugely to single player.....BUT game devs never seem to cotton onto the fact that they could build these things straight into the game itself...with whole interfaces built into the game variuos screens for all the possible stats and info etc etc..wonderfully imaginative...even build in a "forum" link --chat room--- forum--- what's the difference?? not a huge amount when it comes down to it..they could have a field day and build in a whole new area of on-line "play" and have a lot of fun at the same time...without any need for multiplayer..

all or nothing.....??? what about the rest:hmm: tho it has to be said i'm not a huge fan on multiplayer....everything ends up being just another way of playing QUAKE!!!