Level Playing Field

A few days ago I downloaded the US v2.1.3a and 2.1.3b patches and installed them. I was amazed at the difference in the game. The graphics have been significantly improved in almost all aspects. Excellent work, thanks for the improvements. The sounds of the sea, the weather and environment are pretty true to life.

On the negative side, the sound of 15" caliber gunfire, however, is little more than a pop and incoming rounds are also equally unimpressive, imo. I noted the sea comes up though the German V-boats deck in heavy weather and it looks like it is sinking, at least on my computer.

(steps on soapbox and clears throat) I also noted something else. The German destroyers were already the poorest in the game, and seem to have become even more technologically retarded in this latest patch. Hey, they are beautifully modeled and if this was 1914, I'd be happy. I sort of understand what type of atmosphere you are trying to establish, etc, but I feel like the Imperial players are getting shortchanged here. I mean, come on........a DD with a mixed main battery of 4" and 5" guns (in casements yet!) that can't do over 24 knots? When was this designed, 1928 or 1898? That might have done for the Bolivian navy in 1937, but not one of the superpowers of the world. Such a ship was outdated by the start of WWI, much less by 1937. They seem to be designed to be targets, not powerful enough to ward off more than minor foes and yet, not fast enough to flee. Real soldiers and sailors may be forced to show that they can fight and die well when they have no choice but to use inferior equipment, but online players aren't much interested in that. The figures I've seen so far show that the KLM is trailing in the numbers of members it may attract for the online game. It would seem that equal numbers in all three factions would be the optimum situation. If those interested in playing the Imperial faction try the game and come to the conclusion that their chances of success are significantly less than players flying other flags, they will give up the game, or join the other factions. The end result will be a serious unbalancing of numbers and you will end up with a two navy war. That is unless you wanted all of the German players in subs, I guess. The very first true destroyer type designed by the Germans was the Maass Class in 1934. They were large at 3100+ tons full load, fast at 38+ knots and heavily armed with 5x5" centerline guns (with splinter shields even), 8x21" torpedoes tubes, various AA guns, DC racks and mines. Yes, as has been pointed out on another thread, these ships had teething problems, as did many ships built by the British, French, Americans..........everyone. These are also the same ships that successfully made a voyage in very heavy seas to Narvik, loaded to the gills with troops and equipment, only to be stranded by lack of fuel and helplessly sunk by a battleship. An attitude seems to have grown up that the German's could not build ships. History clearly refutes this, especially in WWI when the Germans had better capital ships, torpedoes, mines and shells than the British. The German's ships were generally not as good a sea boats as the British, but they were quite capable of dealing death and doing their job. Von Spee, von Muller and Souchon all did amazing things with their German built ships. The winners write the history books. The failures and flaws of German ship design have been highlighted by some who ignore the failures and flaws of their own navies. These countries also had the time and resources to work out their "teething problems" while the Germans did not.

But that is only part of my argument. Lets look at what is supposed to have happened here. The High Seas Fleet, not the vaunted German Army, has won WWI. Germany now controls an area bound on all sides, except Russia and a few (I assume) other countries, by the sea. Their trade is by sea. Their enemies and potential enemies primarily lie over the sea. A victorious Germany would have demanded the return of their African colonies and perhaps would seize the lands of their enemies there as well. (Actually, there was a German army unit under Gen. von Lettow still fighting in Africa till the end of the war). Clearly the role of the Imperial Navy would have become a major one to rival that of the army. The design, development and construction of German ships would have continued, but now including the insights of British, French and possibly Italian designers. I think the KLM would have had something at least as modern as the Maass class and probably better. You could still put ram bows on them to make them look more teutonic. Hey, guys, please..........even if we are viewed as the "dark side" of this alternate world, give us an equal chance. I realize that the Multiplayer game is a totally seperate animal and this is an appeal to provide the Imperial with a higher level of naval technology than in the single player game. Thank you for your attention. (steps off soapbox)

I hope you take my message in the spirit in which I write it. I'm not bitching, just giving you a (quickly becoming dedicated) player's viewpoint. You folks have done a fantastic job overall and I hope this all works out so that the ERT community and TAG are happy with the results.

Regards,

SeaWolf

I don't know where you got your information about the German DDs. On paper they run 30.5 knots, are heavily armed and are a very tough nut to crack (unless you play in easy mode). The design is older, yes, but they are still a extremly dangerous opponent for any surface ships. As long as you are in range they can always fire at least four guns at you - no other DD in Enigma can do that. That's their job - killing other surface ships, and they are more than capable of doing this.

But as the game and the story around it will develop in MP I think that sooner or later we will get more DD, DE, CV, FFL classes, and I guess a new German destroyer will be among the first new ships we will see once MP comes up. And of course there is Scapa Flow...

btw: Take a look at the 50 flushdeckers the US handed over to Britain at the start of WW II. They were outdated, too, but they did the job until new ships came up.

Thanks for your response, m8.

My information is from what I now see in front of me while playing the game. Before I installed the patches the destroyer I was commanding was indeed as you state. Barbarossa Class DD: 30.5 knots, 3415 t full load, 6x5" guns, and could lay a broadside of 4x5" guns. After the patch, what I am commanding looks really cool, but is a different ship than the above description. It has 4x4" and 4x5" guns and can only lay in a broadside of 2x4" and 2x5", weaker than the original. This is undergunned compared to the other navies. I can't tell if there is a change in tonnage and the very best speed I can do on flat seas is 24 knots. Even if this is as stout as the original Barbarossa it is at a disadvantage compared to the other navies, imho. The centerline arrangement of main armament was determined a century ago to be the most efficient distribution and remains so for the German DDs as well as everyone else.

Am I not supposed to be seeing this ship? Why does it not match the description given of it in the game?

I am still learning things about this game, so if I am out of line here, be patient and set me straight. I just got to Scapa Flow last night...........and that was some revelation. I loved it! You can't trust those Americans .

As far as the Campbell? class (can't remember for sure) 4 stacker destroyers you mention. Yes, they served the British very well and did yeoman work, but I'd like to point out, they were still considered obsolete by both navies. They were cast offs of the American. Fine ships, but not the first line destroyer of a world power.

Regards,

SeaWolf

Hmm, OK, obviously I didn't play the patched version often enough (German patch, not running well, you know), but you're right, Barbarossa has been changed in the 'B' patch. Don't ask me why.

dont ask me either...

Feel Free to ask me...

I don't know, but go ahead and ask, I don't mind...really.

The germans own the mid and south atlantic, too. Cuba, Falklands Uboat bases, remember.

And yes, I find the Barbarossa to be really cut down after the patch. There's it seems meant to be fiercer, but it just... wallows... It used to feel like a big angry charging clydesdale with a ferocious thundering broadside, but postpatch it feels slower and downright sluggish (not the power-sliding massive inertia vs flank speed sluggish, the bad sluggish).

It was really noticeable when I patched up, but I didn't want to complain at the time. After all, I was getting used to the new MFD and such, and figured I just needed to get used to things...

It also seems the Lohengrin is a little lighter than I remember (that or the other ships got tougher), but I can still fight in that. And the new model for the Lohengrin is dead sexay.

Thanks for taking the time to post Seawolf.

The Barbarossa is really a derated Emden Heavy Cruiser. There were some errors in the early version that made it a bit over the top in combat. It was setup for balance and the primary role as a raider.

The German Navy has a huge number of newer ships than what you get to play in Enigma - but remember she wasn't on a war footing and the older ships are what you get to do battle with in Chapter 1.

You will enjoy the new German Ships. They built real behemoths with a very long reach. We'll post some advance screenshots in August.

--East

Whilst I like the look of the new Z-class, I do feel she has lost a bit too much of her punch. Looking forward to the new ships

/bux

We may well replace the 4" deckers (AA versions) with 5" - consistent reach that way.