suggestion re displaying active ship damage in game.

[Ferrus Pugnum]

Hello.

 

So far I am really enjoyimg my time sailing and battling  other Captains on the high seas. The game looks fantastic and although I am a terrible shot it is well worth supporting and promoting.

 

The one thing that stands out is the lack of damage displayed on our ships. Yes we see the wood splinters flying and the sails damaged but after a Brig gets a broadside or too there should be a bit more physical damage displayed and if the magazine gets hit a fire or explosion in time,  We do see some holes from ball shots and when we turn the wrong way we take on more water due to the damage I noticed which is a great thing.

 

I would suggest the devs download a copy of Jutland from Storm Eagle Studios, you can download it and have access to the game in a limited fashion.  This game is a true 3d realistic recreation of the Battle of Jutland WW1 era naval combat and there are some features they built in which i think could make this game much more impressive.

 

I would even go so far as to suggest that you hire some of the programmers and designers of that game to help you make this one even better. 

 

There are a couple specific features the have that woudl be great here.

 

1. the ability to look top down at a screen showing all the basic stats of each ship including design features, guns emplacements and arcs of fire, armour, and damage ie listing to port and taking on water. Estimated time to sink and more.  As a source of information it is great but also gives a player a great heads up if they should break off battle if they want to save the ship.

 

2. As in Naval Action you can use a camera to look around the ship but also lock onto any ship in the game and follow it.  They also have a built in "Shell Cam": which follows some shots which is an interesting add on.

 

3.  Damage to ships is displayed progressively as they ships take on more damage. Small fires tourn to big fires, guns are visibly disabled or gone until the ship finally sinks.   I think this type of progressive damage display on the ships would really add to the game.

 

Jutlands interface is a bit difficult to learn but they did a great job and I urge you to take a look at it and talk to them about some sort of cooperative venture if possible.    I have no idea what engine they use as it is several years old but I know that Naval Action could be enhanced and be even more enjoyable with some of the features it has.

 

Keep up the good work!

 

Ferrus Pugnum