Vessels sinking all the time

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[lamplighter173]

I spent many hours with shipsim 2008 and foolishly decided to buy the extremes version

So far I have only succeeded a couple of the missions

tonight I loaded "Barges Rotterdam" I collected the barge crossed to the destination and came slowly alongside the wharf to offload, suddenly the barge and tug leapt up in the air and sank I was about a metre off the quay doing around 1.5 knots and slowing?

I then decided to have a go at "Pilots work" after collecting the pilot I tied up the pilot boat and was transferred to Agile solution, taking note of the warning about erratic AI which was suggested, I managed to reach the waypoint and was automatically transferred back to the pilot boat only to find that it had misteriously sunk and the game ended?

So far I have watched AI ships drive straight into walls, RORO ships leaving port with bow doors wide open,
and kamikazi AI stopping abruptly in front and then turning and thats after 4 or 5 games

And have had two games simply crash

I have never seen a programme with as many bugs, Vstep say they have sold 600K thats a serious amount of income for what can only be described as very poor quality product

What a waste of money marks out of 10 = 1 and thats because it at least it loaded albeit very very slowly

[VirtualSkipper]

Hello lamplighter,

Can I please see your DxDiag?
http://80.95.161.114/shipsim/forum/index.php/topic,23335.0.html

[lamplighter173]

Hi DxDiag attached

[VirtualSkipper]

Hi DxDiag attached

Well, the diagnosis:
Your clocking speed is too low. It's 2,4 GHz on a Quad Core whereas SSE requires a minimum of 3,0 GHz.
Your memory is okay at 3,3 GB.
DirectX is good at version 11.
Video card is NVIDIA 8800 GT which is okay.

So, I think the only problem is your processor which is a bit on the low side.

[sydmichel]

Well, the diagnosis:
Your clocking speed is too low. It's 2,4 GHz on a Quad Core whereas SSE requires a minimum of 3,0 GHz.
Your memory is okay at 3,3 GB.
DirectX is good at version 11.
Video card is NVIDIA 8800 GT which is okay.

So, I think the only problem is your processor which is a bit on the low side.

Hi VS,
You should stop advising people that thier CPU is too slow to run SSE when it simply is not true.  I´m guessing here but from your posts I dont think you are qualified to give such advise no matter how well intended that advise is.  

I dont want to go through it again but; Lamplighter (and Virtual Skipper) please re-read this thread:  http://80.95.161.114/shipsim/forum/index.php/topic,26451.0.html  because I thought that I had explained clearly about CPU class differences and given good references to back up my statments yet still people quote 3GHs as minimum a requirement.

Also please re-read the minimum specs required to run SSE. It clearly says that a "3 Ghz P4 Intel or AMD equivalent processor" The clue is the word equivalent. The P3 is gettiing to be a very old CPU and cannot be compared to modern Processors such as the Intel Q6600.  It would be like comparing an engine from a 1980s Ford Escort 1.6 to a new Ford Focus 1.6 (Twin overhead cam, 16 valve fuel injected) the only thing they have in common is thay are both 1.6 litre.

Lamplighter please dont return you copy of SSE to the shop just yet, you have a fine system (the same CPU as me in fact). It will easily run SSE.  The problems you discribed have all been seen before.  Use the search funcion in the forum and you will see.  Workarounds have been developed for most of the bugs and SSE patches have been issued to help.  (make sure you are running version 1.4).

regards Syd

[lamplighter173]

Thanks Syd

I didnt think it was my computer, it runs FSX with no problem.

The problems I am seeing are almost certainly bugs, judging from the sheer number of threads in the forum

This really isnt acceptable on any level, especially given the cost

Its not unreasonable to expect something I paid good money for to work properly.

The fact remains that its a very poor program, depite the claims on the website, the realism is far from real and the scenery is about as basic as it gets

FSX came out in 2006 and despite being many years older the quality and scenery leaves SSE standing
This is akin to early freeware and is about as amateurish

[Traddles]

Strangely enough a great many players do not have the problems described above. Sadly few of them actually report this to be the case. The number of complaints about faults, bugs, etc., etc. frequently are down to the players computer. In some cases it can be due to other programmes running in the background. However, lamplighter173, you still have not told us if you have fully updated your game to the build1086 version 1.4.0. level. A final point, comparing Ship Simulator Extremes to FSX is really of no purpose as the two games rely on totally differing systems to operate. A search of the forum on this subject will make this quite clear.
Regards,
Traddles.  

[lamplighter173]

Hi

I did download the version 1.4 but am at a loss as to where I can find if my version has been succesfully updated or where the build number is?

If you can point me in the right direction I will check

I have noticed that every time I load the game it still reminds me that version 1.4 is available?

[sydmichel]

There have been many comparasons with FSX.  However its not really comparing like-for-like, it seems to me that most of the SSE effort goes into the production of realistic seawater and the effect on, and behavior of your vessel for differing sea states and wave patterns.  

FSX does not have to carry out these complex calculations and therefore can afford to beef up the eye-candy.

A lot of the bugs in SSE seem to be with collision detection ship/shore, ship/ship and with all the peers, jetties, land masses, bouys and other ships in SSE there must be thousands of collision possibilities, all of which must be checked for in every frame.  But, in FSX there is only the ground and possably another plane.  Dont get me wrong, I´m not defending Vstep I get as frustrated as the next man, its just that if things were so easily fixed by say, bringing in extra/better coders, I´m sure they would have done so by now.  They do seem to be getting rid of the worst bugs and adding new features with every update (every 4-6 months) so there is hope.  You should have been here on day 1, this forum was a bloodbath.  

[sydmichel]

Hi

I did download the version 1.4 but am at a loss as to where I can find if my version has been succesfully updated or where the build number is?

If you can point me in the right direction I will check

I have noticed that every time I load the game it still reminds me that version 1.4 is available?

Updating the game depends on whether its a purchase direct fron VStep of via STEAM.  I´ve never had a steam game so i´m not sure how its done.  However there have been lots of posts on the forum with instruction on how to update the game.  There might even be a ´sticky´on the subject.

Failing that, someone such as VIN SUN may be able to advise you.

[Traddles]

Hi

I did download the version 1.4 but am at a loss as to where I can find if my version has been succesfully updated or where the build number is?

If you can point me in the right direction I will check

I have noticed that every time I load the game it still reminds me that version 1.4 is available?

When you open the game if you click on "Options" you will see the build & version down at the bottom left of the screen. If you bought the game from VStep direct this will give you the correct details but if you have a Steam version I believe it does not give the correct details. As I have the Vstep direct game I am at a loss as to why this appears to be the case. BTW there is a more recent driver for your video card available on the Nvidia website. This might help, but at least you will have the most up to date driver available.
The mission "Barges Rotterdam" does have a problem with what is known as "Collisions". The process of putting collision barriers on every jetty, pier & wharf in the game is an ongoing thing at present. IF you come close to, but do not touch, the wharf at the point you describe all will be well.

Regards,
Traddles.

[lamplighter173]

Hi Traddles

Just gone into the game again, purchased direct at shipsim.com

There is no data at all on the options page regarding version number or build?

I think I will try to reinstall, but frankly I am not that optimistic

Although nearly sixty I have a fair knowledge of software and hardware having been responsible for our computer management system at work for the last 12 years or so

So far I stick to what I have said about this program, that it is far below the standards I would expect, bearing in mind that I used SS2008 with for some time with few problems

However I will reserve final judgement until I have reinstalled

Cheers

[Subwolf]

There has been a lot of problems with SSE, but patched to 1.4 I actually don't have any serious issues anymore. I recently purchased the ferry pack, and really enjoyed it. Environments, vessels and water look very nice, fps good. So at least they have one happy customer

[Traddles]

Hi again lamplighter173,

I'm surprised you cannot find the Build & Version of the game. It should appear as shown below. If not I am thinking you may well find that a re-install changes things for you. I do hope so as the game is getting to be very good now.

Traddles.

[lamplighter173]

Well

Removed old program with uninstaller including all saved games and profiles

Rebooted computer

Reinstalled program had a quick run with that version and saved the Barges Rotterdam mission after picking up the first barge.

Installed version 1.4 through the link and sure enough this now shows as build 1086 Ver 1.4.0 in Options page

Piloted barge to first drop off point came alongside less than 1.0 knot, game said something like reached destination dissconect barge.

Before I had a chance to do that the barge leapt in the air and promptly  sank same as last time,

There may be an issue with the mission which I would have hoped had been checked before it was released?

My opinion hasnt changed so how do I get my money back?

Clearly the investment in the add on Ferry pack was also a complete waste of money

Thank you to all of you guys who have tried to help, but frankly lifes to short to be writing to forums and technical help

would have just liked to have played!!

[Traddles]

Hi Lampy,
I just played through the mission in question to the point in Waalhaven where the barge is disconnected. Now possibly it has something to do with the fact that I spent many years at sea as a deck officer but the picture shows that I was able to disconnect from the barge without the nasty bounce and sinking. It is as much about gentle handling as anything, honestly. The problem lies not with the mission but the "collisions" as I mentioned earlier.

Traddles.

[saltydog]

As Traddles mentioned, the game used to be plagued by collision issues, commonly known as the 'bouncy-docks'
 The bug has now mostly been fixed, but may sometimes annoyingly appear in some older missions..

[lamplighter173]

Hi guys

I will have another go tommorow, but to be honest I dont think it was me.

I lived on a 38ft yacht for nearly 10 years and spent a lot of time sailing single handed, as you know gentle approaches are the name of the game especially when you have to leave the wheel to tie up on your own!!

And yes I know a several hundred ton barge and tug is not a 38ft yacht however

I can guarantee that I was about half a metre from the quay with no power on and drifting slowly to the  bollards at less than one knot.

If this game is that sensitive its configuration is all to hell.

I actually hit the edge of the quay from the main drag turning into Walhaven at around 5 knots and just bounced off with no damage?

[saltydog]

If this game is that sensitive its configuration is all to hell.

As I said, it is an old bug that has since been fixed..If you are bent on getting your money back I'm sure that can be resolved..

[lamplighter173]

Hi Guys

Managed to complete the mission this morning!!

Apparently the secret is to disconnect the barge in seconds of being instructed, otherwise the barge leaps into the air and sinks? Even when your not moving?

I actually managed to pull away from the barge and watch this happen?

I couldnt finish the game last night because the program crashed!!

I had a look at 2008 last night and noticed that the atlas barge in that version doesnt have a bow thruster

SSE version does but it doesnt seem to work anyway?

Finally just to add yet another problem to this game I cant switch to windowed mode, it doesnt seem to matter if the box is ticked or not, or how many times I load the game

Still fed up and still want my money back! I think I will stick to SS 2008 at least that seems to be more stable

[cptdave1958]

Nope it is not an old bug, it is still there. I like barges and have over 20 years experience. The first time that I played this, it didn't seem to be a problem except when I was done, it would not close or say mission complete. So I kept going back and playing it again to see if the mission would end. NOPE! Well I deleted it and downloaded it again. Well just what Lapm is describing hit me like a ton of bricks. However, I found out that it is nothing that you done, it is when the moorings are attached from the barge to the dock is when it all happens. I done this twice and when I realized this, I made ready all the lines to be detached when it says wait 4 seconds. If I had mine lines off the barge at this point nothing happened. I done this several times and everytime that my lines were attached to the barge, the tug sunk. If the lines were off, then everything was fine. SO there is still a bug and this time I was able to complete the missions.