[Stiebler]

@Brett25:

The convoys as provided in the original SH3 game were loosely correct, with fast and slow convoys running between North America and the UK, later some between the UK and the Soviet Union, and other convoys between Gibraltar and the UK.

The convoys fire off at random time intervals, and do not mimick exact time of sailings of real convoys. This is very important - the player must not know when to intercept a convoy as soon as it sails.

The old Real U-boat (RUb) team, especially CCIP, spent hours and hours putting in convoy zig-zags manually, which are one of the few features from RUb that no one has ever changed since! Another RUb modder, whose name I forget, created 'Realistic convoys', in which the average composition of the SH3 convoys resembled the average composition of the real-life originals, depending on route.

The NYGM team then took over and considerably expanded the RUb mod. We used self-devised computer programs to modify the campaign files automatically, resulting in the following improvements:
1. Each convoy waypoint in mid-ocean, which had been a narrow point, was expanded to up to 50 sea miles, so that a U-boat could no longer know exactly where to expect the convoy. I spent ages checking these waypoints, especially near narrow straits, such as ports and Gibraltar.
2. Each convoy was automatically given a variable speed between waypoints, based on its original average speed which had never varied. This mimicked the effects of winds and tides on convoy speed, so as again to introduce uncertainty. The player could no longer expect a convoy, reported at one place two days ago, to arrive at another place today.
3. Again computer programs were used to substitute existing ships in the convoys with new ships - most importantly, of the same type to maintain the original 'Realistic convoys'. These new ships had been created by other modders, especially Sergbuto and IABL. NYGM now contains quite a fleet of IABL's merchant ships, which are all stable.
4. Neutral ships are generally no longer found in convoys. The only significant exception is for the PQ/QP Arctic convoys, which inconveniently straddle the entry of the USA into the war in December 1941. For a few months in 1941, neutral US ships can be found in PQ/QP convoys.
5. Many new convoys have been added, by some of the old RUb team, others by the NYGM team, two have been taken with permission from the German LSH3 team (see their sticky in this forum). The new NYGM convoys are mostly centred on the Caribbean and eastern USA, British inshore waters, and South African waters.
6. The composition of the convoy escorts and their effectiveness has been modified extensively. Convoy escorts begin mostly inefficient - but with a handful of exceptions to make the U-boat commander pay attention! - but then become increasingly aggressive, as well as being fitted with better anti-U-boat equipment. After May 1943, convoys are massively defended; you may see up around 16-20 escorts defending a convoy. Escort carriers are attached to many late Atlantic convoys.
7. Individual AI U-boats (created by Sergbuto) have been attached to some of the convoys, and appear semi-randomly. They stretch the convoy defence, sink ships, and make convoy attacks for the player more interesting.
8. All ships, including those in convoys, have been given improved zoning for their sinking properties. So you may have to wait some hours to see a torpedoed ship sink. Or it may not sink at all.
9. Detached escorts, not escorting convoys directly, patrol in random, looping patterns, so that their course is never predictable. These are encountered mostly around the shores of the UK and also in the Straits of Gibraltar.

That's pretty good, isn't it? I enjoyed writing that. I hope you enjoy the fruits of our labours.

Stiebler.