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Monday, March 11th 2002
INFORMATION REGARDING PATCHES FOR SILENT HUNTER II & DESTROYER COMMAND
We are aware that there are some problems with the AI routines and multiplayer functions in Destroyer Command and Silent Hunter II. We are currently working on a set of patches to address the more serious issues.
We also know that many of you are frustrated because the patch required enabling multiplayer sessions between Silent Hunter II and Destroyer Command has not been released yet. We had planned on the patch being ready by the time Destroyer Command was to arrive on the retail shelves, but unfortunately we discovered some serious problems that have required further testing and development work to make the interoperability between the two products function properly. We want very much to release this patch, but we are trying to ensure that it is as stable as possible before making it available.
Please understand that we are concentrating on fixing the major problems and not smaller bugs at this time. Future patches to address the less critical areas will be seriously considered. Announcements will be made on our various product websites concerning future patches.
Both of these products have had difficult times in development and we have worked very hard on them. We apologize for the problems and pledge that we are doing our best to make good. We care about our products and we care about the community that buys these products. We ask that you be patient and continue to post constructive reports of problems on the various fan sites and forums that exist for users on the Internet.
As with any software project, we can't give you an exact timeframe on when these patches will be available. It is our goal to have them ready for distribution sometime during the week of March 11th.
Thank you for your continued patience and for your constructive feedback.
Sincerely,
Carl C. Norman
Executive Producer
SSI
Ubi Soft Entertainment
The patches will soon be available for free download from the following sites:
http://www.silenthunterii.com
http://www.destroyercommand.com
http://support.ubi.com/patches.php
Here is a list of problems or changes being addressed by the patches:
NOTE: This list is what we are currently working on and maybe be subject to change when the final versions of the patches are released. A revised list will be included in the patch read me files when they are released.
DESTROYER COMMAND FIXES
- You can now "focus" sonar on submarines by clicking on the submerged contact in the CIC or depth charge screen. The contact will flash blue indicating that it has sonar "focus". Click again to "defocus".
- Depth charge screen now displays course/depth/speed info for submerged contacts that have sonar focus.
- Sonar User Interface works properly.
- Sliding interface panels work smoother (no more auto pinning).
- Compass in helm screen and sliding panel now clickable.
- Voiceover notification occurs when you damage a submerged contact with depth charges.
SILENT HUNTER II FIXES
- Fixed problem with occasional interface file corruption and crashes on Windows 2000 and XP systems.
- Fixed intermittent crash in damage control station on Windows 2000 and XP systems.
- Fixed problem involving the "spawning" of surface ships in scenarios. This fixes a crash in the "Fortress Europe" mission.
- Moved storage of interface textures from system memory to video memory. This fixes an occasional game slowdown or crash on certain configurations of Windows 95/98/ME systems and certain video cards.
- Fixed intermittent crash caused when aircraft targeted while the AI is manning the deck gun. Additionally, the deck gun will now no longer fire at aircraft when "Man the deck gun" is selected.
ENHANCEMENTS FOR BOTH SILENT HUNTER II & DESTROYER COMMAND
- AI ships will now undertake strenuous efforts to avoid running aground.
- AI ships will attempt to avoid collisions with each other. If they collide, they will work to extricate themselves.
- Sonar contacts are now more difficult for enemy ships to re-acquire after the contact is lost.
- Enemy depth charge attacks are now somewhat less accurate.
- Enemy aircraft will now initiate attacks against submarines spotted at periscope depth.
- The water's surface is now displayed with both animated "chop" and an additional subsurface layer.
- The depth gauge's gradations have been recalibrated and the artwork refined.
- The Red/Green halves of TDC dials denoting port and starboard were reversed (they are now correct).
- "Spawned" surface ships now emit smoke from their stacks.
- German 1936 type destroyers now emit smoke from their stacks.
- Auxiliary cruisers now use a more appropriate 3D model.
- "Man AA guns" sound effect is now more appropriate.
SCENARIO-SPECIFIC CHANGES FOR BOTH SILENT HUNTER II & DESTROYER COMMAND
- "Matchlight" mission now contains enough enemy merchant shipping to make its secondary objective obtainable.
- "Auxiliary Cruiser" mission has had changes made to unit dispositions, and had its briefing updated.
- "Western Approaches" no longer has a British task force running into an island.
- In "Drumbeat," "Blitzkrieg," and "Fortress Europe," tonnage credit for sinking merchants will no longer disappear after several days.
- Bug in Ship Viewer fixed: was crashing on exit on some systems.
AI CHANGES FOR BOTH SILENT HUNTER II & DESTROYER COMMAND
- Formation changing smarter, less likely to smash into each other.
- Submarines will now evade enemy attack more often.
- Submarines will surface and charge batteries or air when they are depleted (and stay surfaced for batteries).
- AI task forces/convoys will now detach closest (vice first) ASW subgroup to chase subs.
- If pursuing ASW subgroup is destroyed, another ASW subgroup will be detached.
MULTIPLAYER CHANGES FOR BOTH SILENT HUNTER II & DESTROYER COMMAND
- Fixed Win98/ME host crashes.
- Integrated server more robust under Win98/ME. Less likely to crash out from under game for no good reason.
MULTIPLAYER SCENARIO CHANGES FOR DESTROYER COMMAND
- DC (melee) Caribbean Cruise - reduced to 6 ships, changed to Fletcher Class, added objective in middle.
TEXT CHANGES FOR BOTH SILENT HUNTER II & DESTROYER COMMAND
- Updated crush depth and AA gun description info on U-boats for both games (was inconsistent between DC and SH2).
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