It is simply expressing my own opinion, just as you have done; I hope that it is alright for me to do so?
Absolutely I'm 100% with you. That's the point of an honest opinion. You, like me, have clearly tried many missions and options before coming to the same conclusion.
If you buy a brand new car you don't keep quiet if it starts ok but the boot (translation to US = Trunk
) won't open, it keeps stalling, the bodywork is scratched and the windscreen wipers don't work. Why then do we accept second best with software?
Yes, I agree, we have got used to bugs in software, it is a way of life.
That does not mean it's right.
What's more you have to put the level of bugs into comparison with other similar software.
If you are just talking about a couple of minor niggles I can live with that.
But it is far from that. Try EVERY mission and see for yourself.
Don't get me wrong underneath the bonnet (= hood
) there is a fine engine.
There is a lot of scope for Ship Sim to really rock your boat and I look foward to a time when it can cope with for example a Dover/Calais ferry or hovercraft round trip crossing the busy English channel shipping lanes without having to pause for a mid-sea-load and at the same time enjoying a realistic audio with truly dynamic weather changes. How about random events such as an engine problem requiring a return to port or a sudden strike at the destination port requiring a diversion to the next port? Sure sailing round Alcatraz is a start but scope is limited at the moment.
Whilst open sea missions are possible in SS2008 the developers seem to have thought that users won't want to sail the whole journey. To me that thought is wrong (or at least ought to be an option). As long as event's in a mission can be interesting with plenty to see along the coastline, shipping, dynamic weather changes and changing sea conditions (wouldn't mind seeing the odd aircraft too) I don't mind several hours sailing as long as you can save the simulation along the way.
I don't get bored flying long haul in FSX, in fact I quite fancy a round-the-world virtual cruise.
I don't think we are too far adrift from that and I hope that eventually (SS2010 ??) The developers may have similar vision too.
I hope so - I love transport sims.
Dave