1914: Shells of Fury

CB.. · 08-30-07, 02:34 PM

i think your right...i've had a read of some books and hydrophones were invented around 1917...(with ASDIC not far behind ...strangely ASDIC got shelved untill much much later even tho it was being tested during WW1)
and here's no mention i can find of German Subs carrying hydrophones..

one thing the sim is missing most i suppose is crew voices ...i've knocked up a small sound pack to add some voices to a few of the commands...just to add a little more atmosphere

here's the link

http://www.ebort2.co.uk/files/SOF_voice1.zip

been having a small look at the campaign and how it works as well
and even tho it at first sight might appear to be purely scripted..it is in fact at least as dynamic as the SH3 campaign..or random is the best word..(for both)..with shipping routes ..target areas...probability frequency and type of shipping along those routes and in those areas being randomised and so on ..which puts it on a similar level as indeed SH3 etc...and it's editable also so this is purely as stock..could be worked on fairly easily...

the game certainly isn't an easy one....

so far i have yet to actualy survive a depth charge attack!!!
and i am gradualy getting used to there being no auto TDC at all...(always been quite lazy on that front with the other sims)

everything hinges on the scope not being spotted...and fortunately you can see the ships with the scope just breaking the surface..without them spotting you...tho if you want the ships to display on the plotting map and the targeting map in the scope room you have to raise it further..and then they can see you (within a certain range depending on the weather etc etc)..so it's a nice balancing trick...and offers some interesting choices as you try to plot your torps angles etc..it's not over complicated at all, but it still has to be gotten right or you just waste the torps...(and you don't have many)...it's much much easier up close of course..but then you risk certain death from the escorts if they spot the scope....you can't dive fast enough to evade them..(hence the fact i have yet to survive a DC attack lol)....so it means i need to attack from further away...and that means lots of wasted torps...i'm pretty sure there's no auto TDC...there were no targeting number crunchers for the WW1 subs AFAIK so this is realistic ..either way it works well and adds a lot to the game

Scaz65 · 08-30-07, 09:41 PM

Thanks CB for trying to work out this framerate thing. I tried the fix, but it didn't give me the boost. I'm going to email a link to this thread to the tech support guy. Maybe it will help.

BTW, I noticed that you also have a pentIV 3ghz cpu CB. Does it have Hyper-threading like mine does? If it does, I wonder if that could be the problem.

CB.. · 08-31-07, 02:42 AM

according to the blurb my pc does "support" hyper threading...tho that could mean just about anything..lol
and i'm not sure what difference it might make...

EDIT LOL

i had gone of on one of my rants here :rotfl:

but..

i found a translation into english of the graphics options etc
it's written into the parameters.txt in the root folder

here they are

realism options

realism\diesel
realism\oxygen
realism\torpfails
realism\zigzag
realism\torps
realism\EnemyTorpedoOnMap
realism\Enemyeasykill
realism\EnableBeaming

graphics options

system\FSAA
system\FSAA4x
system\WideScreen
system\LowResWater
system\lowuqalitysky
system\DisableVolumeMirror
system\DisableMirrorShips
system\DisableMirrorSmoke
system\DisableMirrorSun
system\LowMirrorMode

so they DO make a difference...many apologies to all conerned..

i set the graphics options to
2x anti alaise--ja
lowres water--ja
low res sky--ja
disable volume water-- nien
disable mirror ships--nein
disable mirror smoke--nein
disable mirror sun--nien
low mirror mode--ja

and the periscope view now runs as smooth as a babys bottom

so it's a matter of getting to grips with the logic of the graphics options...
it's no wonder i was loosing the plot of the thing..

hope this helps....

looking good..

Captain Nemo · 08-31-07, 07:23 AM

CB - seems you're making some good progress on making SOF run better on your machine, well done. Just one query, the changes you have made to the graphics options, do they affect the overall frame rates in the game or just in periscope view?

Nemo

Scaz65 · 08-31-07, 09:38 AM

Hey CB,

I found the parameters.txt file that you're talking about, but it seems different than what you have in your game.

Here's a segment of it:

system\FSAA
ffffffff
INT
system\FSAA4x
ffffffff
INT
system\WideScreen
ffffffff
INT
system\LowResWater
ffffffff
INT
system\lowuqalitysky
ffffffff
INT
system\DisableVolumeMirror
ffffffff
INT
system\DisableMirrorShips
ffffffff
INT
system\DisableMirrorSmoke
ffffffff
INT
system\DisableMirrorSun
ffffffff
INT
system\LowMirrorMode
ffffffff

What's with all of the F's? Anyway, not sure how to modify this. Do you have the US version or European?

CB.. · 08-31-07, 10:55 AM

Scaz...the game sutomatically modifys the parameters txt file when you alter the settings on the options screens...(you then need to go to the last screen on the list and select "JA" and the game saves your settings..
the reason for my showing an edited version of the parameters.txt file was just simply to show the english translations of the variuos options..so you could tell which options were an increase in graphics and which were a decrease (that's what was foxing me...i had no idea which did what)

so just change your options via the in game screens and make sure you go to last screen on the list and hit "JA" to save them..

Capt nemo!
the options AFAIK affect all the graphics not just in the scope view as per normal..

but i must admit i'm still searching for a better answer as i have to set my graphics card to minimum quailty as well in order for the scope view to run smoothly...trouble is that all the graphics on the interface screens goes into zx81 mode as well.tho the 3D world still looks fine...my thought is maybe i can lower the quality of the interface screens "by hand" and get a better over-all result that way...but sadly the game is really fussy about it's interface screens..and so far all attempts to do that have failed..

i have also been continueing on the process of editing virtually every in game graphics file (and there are a very large number of these mainly in DDS format) in search for that critical file which contains the main sea animation and textures...and also find that FPS killer effect some where..it'll be some where..

one/ i want to get rid of the white caps--or reduce them dramaticaly
two/ i want to lower the quality of the textures to suit my systems capabilites so i can increase other options to get a balance i prefer..
three/ helps to learn a game from the nut and bolts up

again tho all the obviuos files even one named waterani.dds have virtualy NO EFFECT when edited at all..
whatever it is in this game that is eating the frame rates it isn't the water animation...nor is it the sky (if the low res sky option is any clue and actual works..i can't visualy see any difference...i must say)
i edited the clouds to a far lower size and quality..no increase in FPS at all..
edited dozens of files to reduce texture size and quaility...all gave no increase in FPS
maybe the culprit is in fact the damn static interface screen images...

it's beginning to drive me nuts i must admit LOL

FlyingThermos · 08-31-07, 01:33 PM

Hey i'm thinking about getting this game. Technically sounds like the graphics engine may be a bit unoptimized, but I would be interesting in hearing about the mechanics of the campaign part of the game. It was mentioned earlier that it was not purely scripted. Is it dynamic in any way. If so how so. Is it persistant; are your stats tracked or offered new boats as campaign progresses. If you are assiged a patrol zone, do you actually have to sail there. That kinda thing. If you find time do you think you could decribe how it works. I'm having problems finding info on this game anywhere on the internet. Thanks guys

08-30-07, 02:34 PM	#1
CB.. Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,278 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	i think your right...i've had a read of some books and hydrophones were invented around 1917...(with ASDIC not far behind ...strangely ASDIC got shelved untill much much later even tho it was being tested during WW1) and here's no mention i can find of German Subs carrying hydrophones.. one thing the sim is missing most i suppose is crew voices ...i've knocked up a small sound pack to add some voices to a few of the commands...just to add a little more atmosphere here's the link http://www.ebort2.co.uk/files/SOF_voice1.zip been having a small look at the campaign and how it works as well and even tho it at first sight might appear to be purely scripted..it is in fact at least as dynamic as the SH3 campaign..or random is the best word..(for both)..with shipping routes ..target areas...probability frequency and type of shipping along those routes and in those areas being randomised and so on ..which puts it on a similar level as indeed SH3 etc...and it's editable also so this is purely as stock..could be worked on fairly easily... the game certainly isn't an easy one.... so far i have yet to actualy survive a depth charge attack!!! and i am gradualy getting used to there being no auto TDC at all...(always been quite lazy on that front with the other sims) everything hinges on the scope not being spotted...and fortunately you can see the ships with the scope just breaking the surface..without them spotting you...tho if you want the ships to display on the plotting map and the targeting map in the scope room you have to raise it further..and then they can see you (within a certain range depending on the weather etc etc)..so it's a nice balancing trick...and offers some interesting choices as you try to plot your torps angles etc..it's not over complicated at all, but it still has to be gotten right or you just waste the torps...(and you don't have many)...it's much much easier up close of course..but then you risk certain death from the escorts if they spot the scope....you can't dive fast enough to evade them..(hence the fact i have yet to survive a DC attack lol)....so it means i need to attack from further away...and that means lots of wasted torps...i'm pretty sure there's no auto TDC...there were no targeting number crunchers for the WW1 subs AFAIK so this is realistic ..either way it works well and adds a lot to the game __________________ the world's tinyiest sh3 supermod- and other SH3/SH2 stuff http://www.ebort2.co.uk/ The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B.Yeats

08-31-07, 02:42 AM	#3
CB.. Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,278 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	according to the blurb my pc does "support" hyper threading...tho that could mean just about anything..lol and i'm not sure what difference it might make... EDIT LOL i had gone of on one of my rants here :rotfl: but.. i found a translation into english of the graphics options etc it's written into the parameters.txt in the root folder here they are realism options realism\diesel realism\oxygen realism\torpfails realism\zigzag realism\torps realism\EnemyTorpedoOnMap realism\Enemyeasykill realism\EnableBeaming graphics options system\FSAA system\FSAA4x system\WideScreen system\LowResWater system\lowuqalitysky system\DisableVolumeMirror system\DisableMirrorShips system\DisableMirrorSmoke system\DisableMirrorSun system\LowMirrorMode so they DO make a difference...many apologies to all conerned.. i set the graphics options to 2x anti alaise--ja lowres water--ja low res sky--ja disable volume water-- nien disable mirror ships--nein disable mirror smoke--nein disable mirror sun--nien low mirror mode--ja and the periscope view now runs as smooth as a babys bottom so it's a matter of getting to grips with the logic of the graphics options... it's no wonder i was loosing the plot of the thing.. hope this helps.... looking good.. __________________ the world's tinyiest sh3 supermod- and other SH3/SH2 stuff http://www.ebort2.co.uk/ The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B.Yeats Last edited by CB..; 08-31-07 at 04:40 AM.

08-31-07, 07:23 AM	#4
Captain Nemo Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 1,144 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	CB - seems you're making some good progress on making SOF run better on your machine, well done. Just one query, the changes you have made to the graphics options, do they affect the overall frame rates in the game or just in periscope view? Nemo __________________ "I'm afraid there is no disguising the fact that King's obsession with the Pacific and the Battle of Washington cost us dear in the Battle of the Atlantic". Sir John Slessor GCB, DSO, MC, DL AOC-in-C Coastal Command RAF ___________________________________________

08-31-07, 10:55 AM	#6
CB.. Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,278 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Scaz...the game sutomatically modifys the parameters txt file when you alter the settings on the options screens...(you then need to go to the last screen on the list and select "JA" and the game saves your settings.. the reason for my showing an edited version of the parameters.txt file was just simply to show the english translations of the variuos options..so you could tell which options were an increase in graphics and which were a decrease (that's what was foxing me...i had no idea which did what) so just change your options via the in game screens and make sure you go to last screen on the list and hit "JA" to save them.. Capt nemo! the options AFAIK affect all the graphics not just in the scope view as per normal.. but i must admit i'm still searching for a better answer as i have to set my graphics card to minimum quailty as well in order for the scope view to run smoothly...trouble is that all the graphics on the interface screens goes into zx81 mode as well.tho the 3D world still looks fine...my thought is maybe i can lower the quality of the interface screens "by hand" and get a better over-all result that way...but sadly the game is really fussy about it's interface screens..and so far all attempts to do that have failed.. i have also been continueing on the process of editing virtually every in game graphics file (and there are a very large number of these mainly in DDS format) in search for that critical file which contains the main sea animation and textures...and also find that FPS killer effect some where..it'll be some where.. one/ i want to get rid of the white caps--or reduce them dramaticaly two/ i want to lower the quality of the textures to suit my systems capabilites so i can increase other options to get a balance i prefer.. three/ helps to learn a game from the nut and bolts up again tho all the obviuos files even one named waterani.dds have virtualy NO EFFECT when edited at all.. whatever it is in this game that is eating the frame rates it isn't the water animation...nor is it the sky (if the low res sky option is any clue and actual works..i can't visualy see any difference...i must say) i edited the clouds to a far lower size and quality..no increase in FPS at all.. edited dozens of files to reduce texture size and quaility...all gave no increase in FPS maybe the culprit is in fact the damn static interface screen images... it's beginning to drive me nuts i must admit LOL __________________ the world's tinyiest sh3 supermod- and other SH3/SH2 stuff http://www.ebort2.co.uk/ The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. W.B.Yeats Last edited by CB..; 08-31-07 at 11:08 AM.

08-30-07, 09:41 PM	#2
Scaz65 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 14 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Thanks CB for trying to work out this framerate thing. I tried the fix, but it didn't give me the boost. I'm going to email a link to this thread to the tech support guy. Maybe it will help. BTW, I noticed that you also have a pentIV 3ghz cpu CB. Does it have Hyper-threading like mine does? If it does, I wonder if that could be the problem.

08-31-07, 09:38 AM	#5
Scaz65 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 14 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Hey CB, I found the parameters.txt file that you're talking about, but it seems different than what you have in your game. Here's a segment of it: system\FSAA ffffffff INT system\FSAA4x ffffffff INT system\WideScreen ffffffff INT system\LowResWater ffffffff INT system\lowuqalitysky ffffffff INT system\DisableVolumeMirror ffffffff INT system\DisableMirrorShips ffffffff INT system\DisableMirrorSmoke ffffffff INT system\DisableMirrorSun ffffffff INT system\LowMirrorMode ffffffff What's with all of the F's? Anyway, not sure how to modify this. Do you have the US version or European?

08-31-07, 01:33 PM	#7
FlyingThermos Watch Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 16 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Hey i'm thinking about getting this game. Technically sounds like the graphics engine may be a bit unoptimized, but I would be interesting in hearing about the mechanics of the campaign part of the game. It was mentioned earlier that it was not purely scripted. Is it dynamic in any way. If so how so. Is it persistant; are your stats tracked or offered new boats as campaign progresses. If you are assiged a patrol zone, do you actually have to sail there. That kinda thing. If you find time do you think you could decribe how it works. I'm having problems finding info on this game anywhere on the internet. Thanks guys