Ship Simulator
English forum => Ship Simulator 2008 => Topic started by: mikeant on March 28, 2008, 01:00:02
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Am I the only one to be a little disappointed?
After paying AU $70 for the game, I found quite a few missions that are unable to be completed, I now find that the add-on is another AU $37 (hopefully to fix parts of the existing game?).
I have many simulation games (MS Flight Sim from 95 through to the latest versions) that were around the same price as ship sim 2008 but all of the games/missions worked. Having to pay extra seems a little 'strong', perhaps if the game had been complete I would not have been so disappointed (it is always a shame to spend hours on a mission only to find that it cannot be completed once you have spent some time searching the forums).
Just a thought.
???
Michael
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Michael,
Please tell us your version, and list the titles of the missions that you can’t complete.
It would help if you also gave a description of the trouble.
We try to be helpful, but general complaints without information can only be ignored.
Marty
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The addon you say you have to pay for is for new content. The patches that are free are to fix the bugs. So you don't NEED to pay to fix your game, it is only additional content.
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That must be the most faked info I have ever heard! How can Ship Simulator cost more than Flight Simulator? >:(
I don't get this guy... ::)
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I don't get this guy... ::)
i don't get you :P ;D
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Sorry you feel that way, I have Vista and a close to minimum spec computer so I had alot of problems at first but with help from the members of this community I have everything working GREAT now!! Yes there are a few mission that are bugged but using the custom mission's makes up for this greatly!! Not to mention the Multiplayer aspect of it (you need to upgrade to Version 1.3 which is a free upgrade to do that). As far as the "Add-On" costing more. Don't get the 2006 Add-On,, get the New Horizons Expansion, it has the same items as the Add-On plus a few and is well worth it. It of course is not something that you MUST get though. You can continue to enjoy Ship Sim without it but it does add quite alot to the game. The people in this community are VERY helpful, you just have to give them a chance to help you by letting them know exactly what problems you are having ;D
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FSX Deluxe at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-5549106-5785215?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=FSX&x=0&y=0] (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-5549106-5785215?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=FSX&x=0&y=0)
$44.99
Ship Simulator 2008 at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-3079819-7972847?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Ship+Simulator+2008&x=0&y=0 (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-3079819-7972847?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Ship+Simulator+2008&x=0&y=0)
$39.99
I know about a doctor if some still don't get me ;D
Don't blame VSTEP if the local store did set another completely different price...
You have to pay for the FSX Acceleration pack too so I doubt that it's not so much to yell about. I pay bills for my life and I enjoy it. And the price for this game is CHEAP compared to other "huge" game titles (FPS games etc.). So this is storm in a glass of water if you ask me :P
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Errr Australian Dollars are not the same as American Dollars
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Errr Australian Dollars are not the same as American Dollars
So? Why does that matter? JHB (I think) was comparing the prices difference between both programs.
I for one, think that ShipSim 08 price wise is absolutely fine, some add-on packs for other games cost the same as the original game itself. Besides, the more money VSTEP earn, the more time and resources thy have to make ShipSim better :)
I wish people would stop complaining all the time :(
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Yes exactly, in Australian $, the games are nearly the same cost. Try doing a search with .com.au to get some real costs, and try going back 4 months before the Aussie $ got stronger........ = the costs as stated.
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Now for the more civilised respondees!
Thank you Marty for a gentle reply........ mine is version 1.3 build 1018
Mission problems are as stated by others whilst searching mission issues:
1) Phi Phi Hovercraft Charter... when the mission is finished, the mission does not end and its completion is not registered.
2) At work on the Atlantic... there are no green circles at the last 2 waypoints at the oil rig; mission can't be completed.
3) Leaving the new terminal... waypoint green circle is inside the Vermaas and inaccessible.
4) Pride of Rotterdam leaves home port... same as item 1) above.
5) Inbound Hamburg... the Vermaas sinks when switching from the North Sea to the Hamburg scene.
6) Offshore Supplier... as explained above and in item 1).
7) Titanic voyage to New York... as explained above in item 1).
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Also, I have mainly played the basic game and not spent much time doing custom missions, hence my disappointment.
I guess the competitive part of me wanted to get 'ticks in all the boxes' (to have completed the missions) before entering the world of customising my own missions. (PS I have played a lot of the downloadable missions also though).
My main objective was not to start a 'whinge fest', I was only vocalising a little disappointment in being unable to complete the basic missions.
Michael
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Michael,
I was able to complete the offshore supplier mission. Perhaps it's something to do with your computer??
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Ive completed the "Pride of Rotterdam leaves home port" mission...
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Michael,
Indeed many of the earlier missions, both those supplied with the sim, and those created by others, are flawed.
Some have been made so by changes in the sim, such as the inability to cast off static ships that are moored when the mission begins.
Others can be completed only if the player can read the mind of the creator. Many of these involve hidden waypoints—always a potential problem—that the creator has not ensured that the player will hit.
The system of having missions submitted to, and vetted by, Custom Mission Managers is intended to reduce the number of faulty missions.
An understanding of how missions are constructed can be helpful in playing them—even if you are not ready to construct them yourself. There is a tutorial in PDF form that you can download from FAQ and Announcements > Tutorials.
If you have difficulty with a mission, and can’t find help on it posted somewhere on the Missions board, just move on to another one. There are many—of varying quality and difficulty.
Speaking for the CMMs, we always want to hear about any difficulties you encounter with a mission. We ask that you identify the mission by its exact title, and give as detailed a description of the problem as possible.
Regards,
Marty
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2) At work on the Atlantic...
This mission has couple of invisible waypoints which must be reached.
The last visible waypoint tells you to turn towards NW, so turn to NW (quickly enough) and keep that direction until the two last waypoints are activated. If you turn too slowly or do not keep NW direction precisely enough, you'll drive past the activation point.
7) Titanic voyage to New York...
This has invisible waypoint just next to the fifth iceberg, If you don't go close enough you can drive off the map and enter New York 'wrong way'.
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Offshore supplier was updated in missions on forum.
Leaving new terminal updated as above.
Inbound hamburg hit any of the buoys you will damage and sink
ran this twice 38/40mins to complete no problems entering hamburg
Eric
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Michael,
Most of the problems with difficult missions involve invisible waypoints. CMMs are now very strict about these. The Guidelines can be read at the top of the Missions board.
Other missions fall short in the waypoint notes. They should tell you what to do as you approach each waypoint. The limited space in the notes and intro usually requires more information be supplied by the creator in a topic in the Missions board.
Some missions—with a Pro difficulty—require good seamanship, proper lookout, some knowledge of basic navigation, and close attention to the notes.
Regards,
Marty
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Mission updates on the forum are futile, because they can't be used as official mission, therefore no one has successfully completed for example the "Leaving new terminal"-mission.
Hopefully those things are corrected on 1.4 patch.
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Finn700,
New Horizons does not “patch†missions, it adds new ones, some of which have problems.
Missions don’t require a “patchâ€; corrected versions can simply be posted on the Missions board.
There are really no “official†missions. At some time in the future, perhaps missions that have been through the CMM process will have meaningful ranks assigned. At present, the only significant difference between missions included in a version, missions down-loaded in-game, and those posted on the forum is that some ZIPs on the forum are unlocked so that anyone can open them in the ME and alter them.
The in-game downloads are somewhat more reliable than the other two, because they have been tested more critically.
Marty
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"New Horizons does not “patch†missions"
Not interested about New Horizons, more interested version 1.4, because I don't have the New Horizons, yet.
And the simple fact that NO-ONE has completed the 'leaving new terminal" says that it is a OFFICIAL mission which is timed on the "highscores"-section, and downloading and completing 'the patched version' doesn't affect the official timing.
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New Horizons is v1.4. There is no “v1.4 patchâ€. This has been covered many, many, times on this forum.
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I purchased New Horizons and although I certainly haven't played all the new missions, I can report one "bug" in the Agile mission from Marseille to Rotterdam. After examining the abandoned yacht and upon entering Rotterdam, the Agile is placed about 300m above the harbor on it's side.
Rob
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Hi Rob,
Please give the exact title of missions when you report problems. We have many to manage from different sources and the mission “where you sail the boat someplace†is sometimes difficult to find.
Thanks,
Marty
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Hi Marty........the exact title of the mission is: "With the Agile from Marseille to Rotterdam". It is listed as a medium mission.
Rob
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On the Agile one "With the Agile from Marseille to Rotterdam" I was able to complete it,, I was moving at 6kn when I zoned into Rotterdam though, so must have landed on something when I zoned in.
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It’s hard to believe that this mission was actually tested. It has two land-style waypoints, which any tester should have spotted.
There is no warning in the waypoint text that the player must stop AS in that waypoint. That might be permissible for a truly “agile†boat, but not for a vessel with the stopping distance of AS.
Alternatively, a Rescue waypoint with 0 people would have told the player that he needed to stop.
It is a good, interesting, and challenging mission and deserved a thorough testing.
The problem on entering Rotterdam is not readily repeatable and could only be examined in the editor, which testers cannot do in most cases.
Missions are considered “tested†if two testers can complete them. This does not mean that other players will not have problems.
Marty
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Yeah the bugs are relatively small and you are right that the missions that count towards rank should have been tested way more than this one was. Having submitted my first mission I see though that some of the CMM's have very high standards which is good. Wish the custom ones that go thru that testing would have a rank assigned to them.
On the stop at the sailboat part. They probably figured that if you have NH then by then you would figure out that if you are checking out something you would have to slow down to take a look!! I happened to hit it at perfect timing where there was a Vermass coming within inches of the sailboat when I was trying to approach it!! Looked like it was gonna run over it but missed barely!
Overall a nice mission and worth doing over and over again!
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Well, I not only slowed down for the look at the sailboat, but decided to salvage it and tow it behind the AS. Upon zoning into Rotterdam, my AS was 300 meters in the air, upside down and NO yacht in tow.
Rob
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LMAO ;D
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flight simultor x has a RRP of £29.99
ship simulator has a RRP of £39.99
and if i had known ship sim coved so little and had so little ships i would have got flight sim as it just seems the better buy even flight simulator 2004 seems better than ship sim
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Regardless of the 'issue' I have come up against, I still love the simulation and hope to be able to complete the standard missions one day (Tried 'Leaving the new terminal' in 1.4 but still no go as the ship cant berth close to the wharf).
Hopefully all will be fixed before the 2008 part of SS2008 is 2009.
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The situation with “Leaving new terminalâ€:
It is obvious from your first view of Vermaas that there is no point continuing because it will not be possible to load the containers. You can tell from the green loading pointer that the waypoint has not been offset forward, as it must be.
The location chosen for the crane is not deep enough for Vermaas. That is why, after mooring the stern, the bowthruster can’t push her into the waypoint circle. You can verify this in the ME by mooring Vermaas at that location. She will list to starboard, and slide out when cast off.
The location of the inland ship at the stern mooring is not a bug. It is intended to make it difficult, but not impossible, to moor. That vessel is eye candy and cannot be moved.
If the radii of the mooring waypoints were increased, one might still be able to moor within reach of the jib. Alternatively, if you cast off after mooring the stern you might be able to complete the bow waypoint by approaching at an angle. Then you could reposition and moor parallel and close enough—maybe. Remember that you need to be lined up parallel to the crane in order for the containers to drop into position.
Finding a wharf with sufficient depth for Vermaas and enough clear space for the crane is difficult.
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I've tried every possible approach to the cargo terminal in this mission, and there's no way to moor the Vermaas's bow--I'm confident of that. As you said, simply adding a larger green circle would have fixed the problem; that's why I'm sure this one was never playtested. In a game that proclaims itself to be a simulation, it's absurd to think that a container ship is supposed to list at a terminal--that would make loading containers risky, to say the least! And these severe glitches in the missions (which we are paying for, by the way, along with the vessel packs) aren't limited to one or two places--they're widespread. Based on what I've seen in gameplay so far, I wouldn't be surprised if at least 10% of the scenarios supplied are unplayable. I've already counted four missions that I can throw on the scrapheap, and I've played maybe a third of the missions on the list. If VSTEP wants to see a profit from this game, unplayable missions shouldn't be acceptable.
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Stephen,
As you are new to the game and have re-opened a very old topic, I would like to say that your comments are very unjustified. You have obviously not studied the forum and the numerous topics in the missions board. I would suggest that you do so before making further derogatory comments. The particular mission in question has been raised many times and it is well known as a non starter. However there are in fact over 200 missions which can be downloaded, virtually all of which work perfectly. If I remember correctly there are 5 (I think) of the missions included in the game which can be a problem. In some cases this is due to an update causing a problem in an already made mission. There are an awful lot though that are good ones. Your suggestion that you feel that at least 10% of the missions are unplayable indicates to me that you cannot have played many of them at all.
BTW if you register yourself on the forum you will actually find that you have access to far more helpful stuff.
Traddles.
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I would add that, because he is not a registered owner of SS2008, he does not have access to much of the forum—in particular the Missions board where mission problems are discussed in depth, and corrected versions of most missions are available.
We also do not know the version and build numbers. He probably does not have any of the updates that correct those problems.
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I am in fact a registered owner of both ShipSimulator 2008 and New Horizons and have been playing it off and on for about a year or so. I've got V.1.4 build 1038--not sure if that's the latest one for 2008. I've just done a count of the missions that I have--there are about 85 on my computer of which I've played 40--more than I thought. You're correct; most of them have no problems, but the 4 that do out of 40 is indeed 10%. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the game--overall, I do, but there is room for improvement. As a consumer who's invested time and money, I feel perfectly justified in making complaints--after all, if the developers never hear them, they don't know what needs work. But I've read enough of the forum to know that I've had the same glitches as practically everyone else, so I'm aware that they know.
My point is that downloading numerous patches to fix individual missions shouldn't be necessary. Most PC games require patches, of course, but I just feel it's excessive in this case. I haven't yet played the latest installment in the ShipSim series, so I have no way of knowing whether the game platform and mechanics have been improved since '08. Anyway, this is still a game that I enjoy enough to continue to play and update. Just view my comments as constructive criticism--I should be able to offer that despite not having played as much as you guys have. I'm not normally the kind of person who jumps to conclusions or makes unjustified complaints--sorry if I've stepped on any toes here! I am aware of the great amount of work that goes into designing sims and scenarios like these.
Cheers!
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Hi Stephen1912,
I'd like to clarify what was meant with registered user. I suspect you understand this to mean that you have activated your game and the NH addon with your license keys perhaps.
But what was meant was registering your license keys in your forum profile too. When you register your SS08 license key on the forum, you will have access to the entire forum, including the missions boards. On there, you can find fixes for some missions already, that you might now miss. As far as I know, there have been fixed versions released that should render all your troubled missions playable again.
And, as a bonus, you can also download a free addon vessel from your forum profile after you're registered. The 'Jumbo Javelin'. Which is a great vessel, so don't miss out! :thumbs:
If you go to your forum profile and scroll down a bit, you will come across the license key registration box. Only the SS08 key is needed to get full acccess to the SS08 boards and the bonus vessel, but it can't hurt to register all the keys you might have, if only for safekeeping alone. Once you're registered, then you'll find the download link to the bonus vessel in there as well, a bit further down.
Hopefully that clears it up a bit.
Kind regards,
Fred
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Thanks for clarifying that for me, Fred--I'll go ahead and register my ShipSims on the forum and "re-commission" some of these missions! I was under the mistaken impression that the keys served for both activation and registration. Thanks also for letting me know about the Jumbo Javelin addon--I saw the description in the Shipyard--it looks like a pretty interesting ship. I've spent a lot of time in Free Roaming with the Furie and Elbe; both of those are a lot of fun, too :captain:
Best Regards,
Stephen