WG missed a great opportunity this April 1st

[Peregrinas]

Let me just say this first: this post is not an April fools joke.

 

When the 'unplayable sub' was released into our ports, I hoped that there would be more to follow. I hoped that come April 1st, there would be a game mode for the sub. I hoped that we would be able to actually play with subs for an April fools event. Nope, we just have next to no content for this April fools.

 

This would have been an excellent opportunity to mass test a new PvE game mode. Just like the Halloween escort mode except this time we would have been the hunters. The developers say that it would take too many resources to basically re-imagine the existing maps to build an underwater map as well. Well, I present to you the Ocean map. Nothing extra needed; your sub will implode before you can even reach the bottom so instead they just have to implement a max dive limit and done. The majority of wolf packs and convoy raids occurred in the open ocean anyways.

 

Plus, they already have two models for transport ships so they don't even really have to put in that much effort: the current Red Oak Victory in port and the Cimarron, which is hidden in the game files but viewable with the extended tech tree mod and it is also armed with some USN 127mm guns.

 

 

The event scenario would just put a handful amount of players per team in their subs, maybe 6-7, against maybe 20 bot transport ships with a few bot DDs armed with the "new weapons system," depth charges. The objective will be to destroy all of the transport ships (the DDs will give bonus points but are not part of the objective) before they make it from one side of the map to the other. Just like the Halloween event, there would be different side objectives as well, such as milestones for destroying half of the convoy or for sinking a certain number of transports. The bots will start off in a straight and steady path (to make getting the first kill(s) easy) until either 1) the first player torpedo is spotted 2) the first player fires a gun (if possible) or 3) the first player that gets spotted by getting too close while surfaced. Then the bot DDs will engage and try to hunt down the players while the transports are on higher alert for torpedo spotting (basically they start with very little torpedo detection, then they get slightly increased torpedo detection).

 

Could have been a very fun and challenging game mode, but WG completely missed this opportunity. Either give us something playable/useful/engaging or don't give us anything at all. The free port slot that comes at the end of this 'event' doesn't really count.

[Chobittsu]

[Light_Cruiser_Kashima]

Is this new?

 

[4bRbyHSSzZ6pk]

What WG did was less of an April Fool's joke, but more of a personal dig at the people who kept asking for subs, at least that's how I see it

[awiggin]

Let me just say this first: this post is not an April fools joke.

 

When the 'unplayable sub' was released into our ports, I hoped that there would be more to follow. I hoped that come April 1st, there would be a game mode for the sub. I hoped that we would be able to actually play with subs for an April fools event. Nope, we just have next to no content for this April fools.

 

This would have been an excellent opportunity to mass test a new PvE game mode. Just like the Halloween escort mode except this time we would have been the hunters. The developers say that it would take too many resources to basically re-imagine the existing maps to build an underwater map as well. Well, I present to you the Ocean map. Nothing extra needed; your sub will implode before you can even reach the bottom so instead they just have to implement a max dive limit and done. The majority of wolf packs and convoy raids occurred in the open ocean anyways.

 

Plus, they already have two models for transport ships so they don't even really have to put in that much effort: the current Red Oak Victory in port and the Cimarron, which is hidden in the game files but viewable with the extended tech tree mod and it is also armed with some USN 127mm guns.

 

 

The event scenario would just put a handful amount of players per team in their subs, maybe 6-7, against maybe 20 bot transport ships with a few bot DDs armed with the "new weapons system," depth charges. The objective will be to destroy all of the transport ships (the DDs will give bonus points but are not part of the objective) before they make it from one side of the map to the other. Just like the Halloween event, there would be different side objectives as well, such as milestones for destroying half of the convoy or for sinking a certain number of transports. The bots will start off in a straight and steady path (to make getting the first kill(s) easy) until either 1) the first player torpedo is spotted 2) the first player fires a gun (if possible) or 3) the first player that gets spotted by getting too close while surfaced. Then the bot DDs will engage and try to hunt down the players while the transports are on higher alert for torpedo spotting (basically they start with very little torpedo detection, then they get slightly increased torpedo detection).

 

Could have been a very fun and challenging game mode, but WG completely missed this opportunity. Either give us something playable/useful/engaging or don't give us anything at all. The free port slot that comes at the end of this 'event' doesn't really count.

 

AP leaked a game mode with the sub operating as AI, but clearly they were unable to complete it. The fact that the sub is badly bugged probably relates to that. 

I honestly don't know why they simply didn't throw the bathtub boats again, I mean 2/3'rd of the player base probably wasn't even here last year, it would be new to them....

[SpudZero]

What WG did was less of an April Fool's joke, but more of a personal dig at the people who kept asking for subs, at least that's how I see it

 

Exactly, "you got your sub now shut up already" lol

[Lert]

What WG did was less of an April Fool's joke, but more of a personal dig at the people who kept asking for subs

 

While that's true, I do think they could've done more with it as per OP's suggestion. However, that would've also gone against their long standing 'no subs' position.

[SeaQuest_]

What WG did was less of an April Fool's joke, but more of a personal dig at the people who kept asking for subs, at least that's how I see it

 

BINGO!!!

[CapnCappy]

I would have loved 2 weeks of the poke boats again. Same rewards, same setup. They already have the code written.

[awiggin]

What WG did was less of an April Fool's joke, but more of a personal dig at the people who kept asking for subs, at least that's how I see it

 

And what company in their right mind treats their customers like that? 

[klymar8]

I would have loved 2 weeks of the poke boats again. Same rewards, same setup. They already have the code written.

 

Yep compared to last year this is a very disappointing ' April Fool's '   .    

[MexicanPanda]

The sub wasn't the april fools joke though, the French cruisers are the actual joke.

 

[Sharkbait_416]

Let me just say this first: this post is not an April fools joke.

 

When the 'unplayable sub' was released into our ports, I hoped that there would be more to follow. I hoped that come April 1st, there would be a game mode for the sub. I hoped that we would be able to actually play with subs for an April fools event. Nope, we just have next to no content for this April fools.

 

This would have been an excellent opportunity to mass test a new PvE game mode. Just like the Halloween escort mode except this time we would have been the hunters. The developers say that it would take too many resources to basically re-imagine the existing maps to build an underwater map as well. Well, I present to you the Ocean map. Nothing extra needed; your sub will implode before you can even reach the bottom so instead they just have to implement a max dive limit and done. The majority of wolf packs and convoy raids occurred in the open ocean anyways.

 

Plus, they already have two models for transport ships so they don't even really have to put in that much effort: the current Red Oak Victory in port and the Cimarron, which is hidden in the game files but viewable with the extended tech tree mod and it is also armed with some USN 127mm guns.

 

 

The event scenario would just put a handful amount of players per team in their subs, maybe 6-7, against maybe 20 bot transport ships with a few bot DDs armed with the "new weapons system," depth charges. The objective will be to destroy all of the transport ships (the DDs will give bonus points but are not part of the objective) before they make it from one side of the map to the other. Just like the Halloween event, there would be different side objectives as well, such as milestones for destroying half of the convoy or for sinking a certain number of transports. The bots will start off in a straight and steady path (to make getting the first kill(s) easy) until either 1) the first player torpedo is spotted 2) the first player fires a gun (if possible) or 3) the first player that gets spotted by getting too close while surfaced. Then the bot DDs will engage and try to hunt down the players while the transports are on higher alert for torpedo spotting (basically they start with very little torpedo detection, then they get slightly increased torpedo detection).

 

Could have been a very fun and challenging game mode, but WG completely missed this opportunity. Either give us something playable/useful/engaging or don't give us anything at all. The free port slot that comes at the end of this 'event' doesn't really count.

 

I was expecting to be on a Tier 1 map, and the subs were unable to dive. Basically 1 shot at a time, and a few torps every once in a while. Just driving around messing around.

[Czevak]

Yeah I am quite annoyed myself, it's been tradition to do a big event for april fools and halloween.

 

I can't help but think WG doesn't care anymore - which in turn makes me not care for them anymore.

 

I am indeed pissed off.

[Legendary_Typo]

What WG did was less of an April Fool's joke, but more of a personal dig at the people who kept asking for subs, at least that's how I see it

 

Yeah, seems like the poke at BuzzFeed on the main website was actually the joke, while the sub was a bit more of a playful thing directed at people who want, and who don't want, subs.

[Peregrinas]

 

While that's true, I do think they could've done more with it as per OP's suggestion. However, that would've also gone against their long standing 'no subs' position.

 

Well there still wouldn't be any subs in PvP (unless they wanted to allow players be the DD escorts as well). And I think it's silly to think 'no subs' forever.

[Raigir]

Way I see it, it is kinda like WG saying subs won't work in the game even as a joke. I'm perfectly ok with it.

[BrushWolf]

They did miss but they set the bar so high last year that failure was pretty much predetermined.

[nickalaso123]

I thought there was a special April Fool's game mode with the subs. We were all fooled by WG...

[YamatoA150]

Personally, I would have liked their "Battlefortress Island" concept that was being bandied about earlier in March.

 

Basically, where the players would play as static battle islands and are forced to fend off an invasion force.  We had land-based aircraft, tanks, and coastal defenses to use, while incoming waves of NPC transports and warships would attempt to land an assault force.

 

I forget exactly how that rumor came about, but I think it was due to seeing tank and land-based aircraft data along with new coastal guns in the files at one point.

[CylonRed]

My memory from a post in the last year or so was that the game engine can't deal with anything below the surface or no 'deeper' than torpedoes.

 

I don't get the butt hurt over no actual April Fool's mode.  I did not do last years as I thought it was beyond silly and for me - unplayable.

[Yoshiblue]

I mean, at least everyone gets something out of it. Don't see me getting slots from say the Jacuzzi event.  

[dionkraft]

Well before I get really critical I am going to reserve my salty critique till next week to give WOW some time to gather themselves. THEY may even surprise us but thats me on the hope side. Your results will differ. 

I like the convoy idea and would be a lot of fun for starters. 

 

As for problems with operational characteristics of the sub. I submit these.

 

Since the islands do not have any base but literally just float above the ocean WOW should program the edge of the island - much like the warnings you get now when you get too close as being close to being beached so you can't go further.

I'm thinking now that as you get closer to the shore your forced to go higher in depth to be as realistic as possible and in the name of fair game play.

As for being underwater...the tactical map should show up when your underwater and no map updates in real time show. Only the last map updates show and updates resume when your at periscope depth or surface depth. 

In the convoy game I would like to see plenty of cyclone for the real "fog of War" game play 

 

Well for the time being no need to blow a head gasket..let it ride for now..

 

So I play DESPERATE BUT NOT SERIOUS:

[awiggin]

I mean, at least everyone gets something out of it. Don't see me getting slots from say the Jacuzzi event.  

 

Jacuzzi event was about farming flags and consumables and having fun, nothing more....Much better than a single free slot. I gained 100's of flags and consumables from that, it was very useful.

[SourKraut13]

As far as having depth on maps for it to submerge, WG aleady has code for that.

 

There was a huge Bug on Overlord Map for WoT that the north team spawn, half your team was under ground while the rest was frozen. So the Southern team just had to rush the spawn and kill the few that were above the ground.