Level Playing Field
Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 4:30 am
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 Such a ship was outdated by the start of WWI, much less by 1937.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
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
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