"Nightclub" and other static immersion

[JScones]

I thought I'd post this here lest it be lost among the 4,658,354 requests for wolfpacks (seriously guys, don't you think the devs have the hint on this by now?).

Anyway, one of my fondest memories of Aces Of The Deep was the Nightclub feature; a simple feature that really did no more than "connect" the Kaleun to the virtual world around them. Seems I was not alone, as it was a frequent request for inclusion into SH3 Commander.

From an ROI perspective, I think the 100 or so lines of code needed to integrate the feature into SH5 would be a very small investment for such a great return.

Likewise, I think a little more fanfare when the player is awarded a medal/promotion would cost little (even if just a screen with a pic of Doenitz giving "virtual you" the award). I remember Panzer Commander had a basic static screen with "congratulatory" text , but again, as demonstrated by my fond recollection so many years later, it was an endearing feature of the sim. Heck, remember any Microprose flight sim from the 1980's? You were *always* awarded medals or promotions; they didn't just "appear" in your medal box ala SH3.

While I'm on a role, another, perhaps more optimistic, request that a number of SH3 Commander users had was a "Meeting with Doenitz/BdU". At this meeting the player would have their last patrol reviewed by Onkel Karl (perhaps upon his summons) as well as being updated on the progress of the war from their boss's perspective. This could include info on the latest updates on other Commanders, pending equipment upgrades and introductions, intel on Allied ASW tactics and on areas of operations.

This "area" could become a knowledge base prepping the player for events to come. And from a dev perspective, it could simply draw upon the data that is already stored within the game (ie equipment upgrade dates). Onkel Karl's "performance appraisal" could be based on a number of very simple moddable business rules in conjunction with some patrol stats (ie number of enemy and friendly hits, misses, kills etc).

And the feature could be tied into the Nightclub...for example, Doenitz gives you the "dry" account of Prien's Scapa Flow achievement, and when you visit the Nightclub afterwards you get Prien's, or even a third party's, more colourful exaggerated account.

These are a few very simple features that, if previous feedback is any indication, would be greatly appreciated.

[Easy_Eight65]

all really good suggestions for static immersion -- perhaps even some voice-over acting for the player promotions, awards ala the very first Silent Hunter...loved the fanfare aspect of that game.

...Voice-acted Reprimands as well maybe. (Bdu: "Be more agressive!") / dismissed or relieved from command, etc.

[henriksultan]

Originally Posted by JScones

requests for wolfpacks

Thats a very good idea, first time I heard of it

All the small things to make the world alive when playing is a great immersion giver and would be nice to have.

[Hunter]

+1 War is the boys' game .

[coronas]

@JScones:
You has said it, Sir! Immersion is all. I remember old SH and AotD features like newspapers with news about your sub and war, nighclub, messages with congratulations from BdU, etc.
These little things make the sense.

[Sailor Steve]

Completely agree! Not only did Aces have newspapers announcing your successes - and your loss - but its companion game Red Baron included film clips of some higher-up hanging medals on you. SH1 had that wonderful "Attention to orders!" announcement every time you got an award (which was way too often, but that's a different complaint).

After seeing what they can do inside the sub now, I have to ask how hard it would be to have an animated nightclub with all the news and gossip recorded for you to hear.

[Nexus7]

Originally Posted by JScones

Likewise, I think a little more fanfare when the player is awarded a medal/promotion would cost little

I miss that feature a lot. As it is now, it's really too "cold" and colorless. This would bring up the morale a little to start another mission.....

[LordNeuro"Serbia"]

I was not pressing for night club, but i would love wery mouch if u could walk in port and watch how u boat is geting redy for shiping out on mission. Seing crew gething supplies on bord , torpedos and so on. And if u could have a welcoming crew on deck befor u go. i think it would be wery nice. Just like in das boat. We had a movie addon for sh3 and i would love too see theat in sh5.

[Frederf]

Whatever the port experience is, I hope it is consistent with the 3D 1st person view established by the submarine commanding part of the game even if it's just 1-3 rooms in an office like the SH4 "captain's office."

[Hanomag]

Hey if you can order a pizza in game while playing World of Warcraft.. or was it EQ2..?

Maybe we could get beer deliveries from the JScones tavern! OMG the possibilities.. SH5 keggers.. smokers..

Seriously tho..I too enjoyed the AoD days of the night club but they should be talking about my 300k ton patrols not Herr Prien's..

I believe that the script was only a few repetitous lines. Just a little more please..

I also wouldnt mind even the cheesiest hollywood Nazi accent ....congratulations herr kaluen!

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by JScones

I thought I'd post this here lest it be lost among the 4,658,354 requests for wolfpacks (seriously guys, don't you think the devs have the hint on this by now?).

Possibly, but considering it was neglected in the last two games - better safe than sorry.
Remember how we got the dynamic campaign?

[JScones]

Originally Posted by JU_88

Remember how we got the dynamic campaign?

I can imagine that will seem like a Sunday afternoon picnic in comparison to what will happen here if the first SH5 features list doesn't include the word "Wolfpacks", LOL.

[DeadlyWolf]

/signed

I really hope the developers will take this -not so secondary- aspect in great regard.
Maybe someone could recall it in the upcoming meeting