For some, playing a subsim is a game with things to sink and blow up. But
for many, the main purpose is to simulate the activities of submarine
operations and combat. For these players, the "simulation" aspect is very
important and underpins the whole endeavor. And anything that furthers
"simulation" is a welcome addition. This is why things like manual
targeting, recognition manuals to identify ships, manual navigation, and
realistic radio operations with Morse code and Enigma are popular by a noteworthy
segment of the player base.
In the 25 year history of Subsim and
modders there have been quite a few mods for Silent Hunter games but Sub
Buddy is the first attack disc application that you can install and use on a
mobile device and use in conjunction with a game. Having it in your hands,
making the calculations separately from playing the game, does add a new
flavor to the simulation experience. For example, if you were in the control
room of a U-Boat, you would make observations through the periscope and then
shift your gaze to the attack disk you hold in your hands and make the
settings for your solution. Thanks to developer Zoe Summers, Sub Buddy
allows you that experience with a PC subsim in much the same way.
The interface is simple and direct, a
high-resolution digital representation of the German attack disc with
references taken directly from photos of the real thing. One finger touch is
used to rotate the rings and switch from attack disc to TADS. Use two
fingers to drag the tool around and zoom in and out. The app holds all your
settings and zoom level when you flip back and forth between tools, which
makes keeping your place easy.
The “back side” of this virtual tool
consists on a custom circular slide rule, which the developer calls “TADS”,
for “Time, Angle, Distance, and Speed” designed for use in submarine
simulations. The developers points out “using both the Attack Disc and the
TADS in tandem means you are able to do quite advanced calculations faster
than alt-tabbing to a desktop app and most importantly--doing these while remaining ‘inside’
the game.”
The resolution of the tool is superb.
Based on historical images of actual German attack discs, the level of
detail is sharp and crisp, and the motion using the rings is beautifully
fluid. Changing settings has a gratifying feel all its own and adds pleasure
to setting up a fire control solution with Silent Hunter or Wolfpack.
Also included with the Sub Buddy app is
a nifty Angle on Bow Training tool. It gives you an image of a cargo vessel
and allows you to rotate the vessel and see the corresponding AOB. Making angle on
bow estimates give a lot of new skippers trouble and practice with this tool
will greatly enhance your AOB judging skills.
Sub Buddy includes a huge library of detailed
instruction and training videos so learning to master the attack disc and
TADS is not a formidable challenge. Each video is expertly narrated by
long-time Subsim commander Matt “derstosstrupp” Hamacher. Also included
is the complete U-Boat Commander’s Handbook, also translated by Herr
Hamacher.
All iOS 12+ devices (iOS 14+ for iPhone
Picture-In-Picture) are fully supported. Most Android devices that support
Nougat 7.0.0 or newer are supported (some features missing from Android due
to device / ecosystem capabilities). All iPads support Picture-in-Picture
training videos, as do all iPhones running iOS 14+. All iOS devices
additionally support AirPlay so you can learn how to use your discs using
your iOS device whilst following along with the tutorial videos streamed
onto your Apple TV / AirPlay compatible TV.
I strongly suggest giving Sub Buddy a serious look. It
does require some time to learn but it is very rewarding to replicate the
calculations the actual U-boat commanders executed during an attack. And
after all, isn’t that what submarine simulations are all about? Sub Buddy
says yes.
Sub Buddy by Pouty Bat Face Studios
