He's back!

[Philipp_Thomsen]

Hey guys, whats up?

After 5 long years lost at sea without radio, I finally found my way home.

Even though I had played many other games during this hiatus, including some potentially more entertaining than SH3 (heresy, I know), like Kerbal Space Program, which allowed me to put the abundance of creativity I have into action, I must say I never stopped thinking about SH3, modding, Subsim. And every time I talked with friends about which was the best game we've ever played, SH3 is the first thing that comes in my mind. Those 10 thousand hours (yes, I've counted) I put into the game, most of them into modding, are a cherished memory of mine, those were 10 thousand hours of pure pleasure.

But every time I thought about coming back, I checked the screenshot thread and realized how obsolete the game is, specially graphically. Yes, I'm a graphic-whore. I've a state-of-the-art computer at home with 3 24" screens and the games I run nowdays run extra-wide in all 3 screens giving an immersion level that makes me cringe every time I think about going back to 16:9. So going back to SH3 after all these years felt like going back to an old lover, who you felt like it was your soulmate, perfect in every way, but one that you recently discovered had a hint of a penis.

That until I started reading a book that I had on my bookcase, "Iron Coffins", by Herbert Werner.

Verdammt!

I barely got to chapter 5 and the itching to play SH3 again became unbearable. Damn good book!

So, yes... I'm back.

This old wolf will be sent to the sea one last time for a full career.

I'm going to be modding again, cos looking back on my mods I'm quite embarassed. What an amateur, piss-poor quality mods I've made. I must correct that. All these years I've been away, I was only physically away. I still remember the content of the files and in my mind I was always modding, mentally. I have had many good ideas of stuff to implement or to improve, but those blueprints never left my head, and now it's time.

However, before I can even think about leaving Kiel, I need a boat!

I no longer have even a hint of my SH3 copy. Actually copies, as I've purchased that damn thing more than once. I was considering visiting the pirate bay, since I can kind of remember the Steam version has a few issues with mods. So, recommendations? Where should I get my copy? And if you have an advice to give which cannot be given here due to forum rules (lets respect those), then please send me a PM. Heck that game is so old it may even be freeware by now.

I've a few questions to those who linger around these seas:

1) I thought about SH5... but for me, the last time I checked, SH5 only had ONE advantage over SH3, which was the graphics. Being able to see your uboat underwater with transparent water is nice and all, but being the only advantage I cannot accept. The crew management, being able to give medals to each, change their specialization, move crew around, change the equipment of your sub, having the freedom of going anywhere in the world to sink your ships cos it was all about tonnage, and above all, SH5 doesn't have my favorite uboat type, the IX. SH5 doesn't have a sense of progression, starting with a tiny uboat and move your way up to a fully upgrades IX, to start with untrained crew and end up with aces full of medals by 1944. All of that is absolutely ESSENTIAL to me and I know SH5 doesn't even have a hint of that. But this is the last time I checked, years ago. How is it nowdays? Anything changed or is it the same old crap?

2) Will most essential mods work with the Steam version? I'd like to patch my sh3.exe, run GWX or whatever supermod is the best atm and then mod my own stuff on top of that. I don't mind getting my copy in darker corners of the net if necessary, as I've paid more than enough money to Ubisoft for their unfinished products.

3) Is modded SH3 still crashing as much as it used to or is somewhat more stable nowdays?

4) I forgot... but I remember it was an important question.

Please feel free to educate me in any way you feel necessary.

I hope I can still see (and recognize) some of the old faces around.

Feels good to be back, Subsim always felt like a second-home to me.