Full Release Dev Log #3: Torpedo Data Computer, Echosounder, Diesel engines
Dear skippers,
We are back with another dev log. This time, we will dive into several upgrades that are meant to expand selected simulation aspects of the game.
Our goal with these changes is to accommodate more playstyles, but without forcing them in any way. If such technical things are not your cup of tea, don't worry as everything discussed here is going to be fully optional as it was always the case in UBOAT.
We know that this is a #1 wish of a vital part of the community and thus we are very happy to announce that the next update will bring a very realistic simulation of TDC to the game!
What is TDC? The abbreviation stands for Torpedo Data Computer and in a context of German U-boats it was an electromechanical calculator that was responsible for computing gyro angle for the torpedoes, as well as several other attack parameters. The device was working entirely with the means of mechanical moving parts and electric motors.
Considering that it's going to be optional to use in UBOAT, we could take the liberty of pursuing absolute realism in this case, which means that our goal was to make it work just like the real life device, without introducing major simplifications.
With the next update, the depth information will no longer be exactly known from the map to add some exciting uncertainty about it. The provided information will remain quite reliable near ports, since Kriegsmarine equipped U-boats with detailed maps for areas around them, but somewhat unprecise away from them.
Due to the rework explained above, the echosounder has become an essential device to use in the game, since it measures the seabed depth below the keel. For this reason, we've decided to give it more attention.
There are various quality of life improvements coming that make it more comfortable to use. It's going to be possible to quickly request single measurements from the crew using a TAB menu. Also, after the measurement is done, the sailor that performed it, reports the measured depth verbally, meaning that it's no longer necessary to look at the device to read the measurement.
We've also reworked how the echosounder works based on the authentic instruction manual. It's now possible to operate it fully manually in FPP and use all of its features, which may come handy in certain situations. The model was also reworked and is now much more accurate. Our previous version was based on a wooden replica from U-995, which has several differences with the original.
The next update will add an optional crew reports log, which will no doubt be very useful on many occasions. Among other things, it will contain all contact reports with bearing.
Diesel engines have also received some love. They now have an exhaust temperature simulated that can be read on the dials in the engine room.
Aside from that, when engines are too cold for the current speed and don't burn fuel completely, the smoke coming out of the U-boat will become much more black and visible to the enemy.
Engines now also consume additional fuel to load batteries and batteries cannot be loaded at all at the maximum speed as all available power is then used to run the propellers.
We've also worked on making the first person perspective gameplay more enjoyable by implementing various technical improvements that contribute to feeling that the movement in this mode is smoother and more pleasant.
There are also various quality of life improvements, for example, we ensured that the camera doesn't switch to TPP from FPP when it's not necessary.
We still have much more to share and will soon in the upcoming dev logs.
We still don't know how much time it will take us to complete this update. For example, we are still finishing models for the interiors of new u-boat types. We also gather feedback on the forum, so if you have something you always wanted added or changed, feel free to post. It's important to us, to make you satisfied with the upcoming release.
Have you found the contents of this dev log interesting? Please let us know in the comments section. This helps us make decisions on further development directions. Thank you!
Yours,
DWS
We are back with another dev log. This time, we will dive into several upgrades that are meant to expand selected simulation aspects of the game.
Our goal with these changes is to accommodate more playstyles, but without forcing them in any way. If such technical things are not your cup of tea, don't worry as everything discussed here is going to be fully optional as it was always the case in UBOAT.
Torpedo calculators
We know that this is a #1 wish of a vital part of the community and thus we are very happy to announce that the next update will bring a very realistic simulation of TDC to the game!
What is TDC? The abbreviation stands for Torpedo Data Computer and in a context of German U-boats it was an electromechanical calculator that was responsible for computing gyro angle for the torpedoes, as well as several other attack parameters. The device was working entirely with the means of mechanical moving parts and electric motors.
Considering that it's going to be optional to use in UBOAT, we could take the liberty of pursuing absolute realism in this case, which means that our goal was to make it work just like the real life device, without introducing major simplifications.
Depth information rework
With the next update, the depth information will no longer be exactly known from the map to add some exciting uncertainty about it. The provided information will remain quite reliable near ports, since Kriegsmarine equipped U-boats with detailed maps for areas around them, but somewhat unprecise away from them.
Echosounder
Due to the rework explained above, the echosounder has become an essential device to use in the game, since it measures the seabed depth below the keel. For this reason, we've decided to give it more attention.
There are various quality of life improvements coming that make it more comfortable to use. It's going to be possible to quickly request single measurements from the crew using a TAB menu. Also, after the measurement is done, the sailor that performed it, reports the measured depth verbally, meaning that it's no longer necessary to look at the device to read the measurement.
We've also reworked how the echosounder works based on the authentic instruction manual. It's now possible to operate it fully manually in FPP and use all of its features, which may come handy in certain situations. The model was also reworked and is now much more accurate. Our previous version was based on a wooden replica from U-995, which has several differences with the original.
Crew reports log
The next update will add an optional crew reports log, which will no doubt be very useful on many occasions. Among other things, it will contain all contact reports with bearing.
Diesels upgrade
Diesel engines have also received some love. They now have an exhaust temperature simulated that can be read on the dials in the engine room.
Aside from that, when engines are too cold for the current speed and don't burn fuel completely, the smoke coming out of the U-boat will become much more black and visible to the enemy.
Engines now also consume additional fuel to load batteries and batteries cannot be loaded at all at the maximum speed as all available power is then used to run the propellers.
First person perspective improvements
We've also worked on making the first person perspective gameplay more enjoyable by implementing various technical improvements that contribute to feeling that the movement in this mode is smoother and more pleasant.
There are also various quality of life improvements, for example, we ensured that the camera doesn't switch to TPP from FPP when it's not necessary.
Special thanks
- We couldn't do all of this without a website created by Maciek Florek, tvre.org. We had an honour to work with Maciek during the early years of UBOAT until he passed away after a long illness. It's currently the most accessible compendium online about TDC and he put a lot of love into making it. If you are interested in learning more about this subject, we encourage you to visit and read!
- TDC mod team for support and inspiration to bring TDC into the base game. We have to pass very special thanks to Ruby for making countless sounds of various gears and switches for TDC and to Freekoly for helping with research about this device and providing valuable feedback.
- Stosstrupp for sharing his extensive knowledge on TDC, being supportive along the entire way, helping us to figure out the echosounder and sharing historical photos from his many books.
- DECAFBAD for providing very accurate and detailed information about diesel engines and for helping to figure out the echosounder.
- Melonir, for providing a rare book explaining echosounder inner workings.
But wait, there is more!
We still have much more to share and will soon in the upcoming dev logs.
We still don't know how much time it will take us to complete this update. For example, we are still finishing models for the interiors of new u-boat types. We also gather feedback on the forum, so if you have something you always wanted added or changed, feel free to post. It's important to us, to make you satisfied with the upcoming release.
Have you found the contents of this dev log interesting? Please let us know in the comments section. This helps us make decisions on further development directions. Thank you!
Yours,
DWS
