Idea to save SH5 (probably insane) | Forums

[MauiHawk]

We are clearly stuck at an impasse where a lot of potential SH5 buyers sat on the sideline due to apparent sad state of SH5 (myself included), but Ubisoft has concluded the series is not worth investing any more $ in (at least partly due to those of us sitting on the sideline).

It's shameful that the code sitting out there that, given some more massaging, could potentially yield a great game yet has essentially been locked away with little hope of seeing the light of day again.

So.... assuming at least some of the modders are experience programmers and would be willing, what if the code could be made available for modders to try to fix?

Clearly Ubisoft wouldn't just release the code (opensoure). But maybe there is a remote chance they would consider allowing modders to join Ubisoft as "volunteer" employees in order to create an un-official patch?

While I'm guessing this idea would be dismissed out-of-hand, I think there are a lot of positives for Ubisoft:
- They would still own and be in full control of the code.
- They could still approve of anything going out the door (even if the patch(es) are un-official)
- Cost would be limited to paperwork, administrative tasks, and how to allow access to game code while not allowing access to sensitive code (DRM).
- They earn back some goodwill from those that have sworn off Ubisoft.
- They could recoup a little $ from the project if it got people like me to buy.
- They would be in a position to consider creating expansion packs for the game.

Personally, I would be willing to "pre-order" the game at the original full price (as well as donate to the modders) if they would be willing to allow this. I realize its disgusting that I would want to pay Ubisoft to allow the community to fix their game for free, but the bottom line is I had been very anxious for SH5 and it is starting to look as if hair-brained ideas like this one are about the only way it will ever happen.

Okay... open fire on me.

[timh1111]

I think you kinda have the right idea, BUT, why should we (the faithful SH series followers) allow UBI to have an easy way out. We invested the money in their product, now let them invest that money in correcting the problems. Most of the bugs are just that, I pay no attention to the "you should have added this" crybabies. I only pay attention to the lack of attention paid to developing the game, ESPECIALLY after repeated complaints from customers. They have obviously produced (and THEY know it) a sub-quality product that they don't seem to understand will affect the rest of their product line? How? Because (and read it in the BLOGS), past customers will NOT buy any of their other products due to the lack of customer service received in SH5! People feel they wasted their money in SH5. They have taken the time to launch patch 1.2 so they KNOW there are issues (as there is with most newly released software). They should not be given an easy out by allowing others to fix what THEY created.

[arcticspyder]

Originally posted by timh1111:
I think you kinda have the right idea, BUT, why should we (the faithful SH series followers) allow UBI to have an easy way out. We invested the money in their product, now let them invest that money in correcting the problems. Most of the bugs are just that, I pay no attention to the "you should have added this" crybabies. I only pay attention to the lack of attention paid to developing the game, ESPECIALLY after repeated complaints from customers. They have obviously produced (and THEY know it) a sub-quality product that they don't seem to understand will affect the rest of their product line? How? Because (and read it in the BLOGS), past customers will NOT buy any of their other products due to the lack of customer service received in SH5! People feel they wasted their money in SH5. They have taken the time to launch patch 1.2 so they KNOW there are issues (as there is with most newly released software). They should not be given an easy out by allowing others to fix what THEY created.

Very well put Timh. If you read anything that I have written here, you will see that I am in complete agreement with you. I have some very nice coasters from UBISOFT and I will in all likelihood add SH5 to the stack. However it is the VERY LAST UBI title that I will ever bring into my house! NEVER AGAIN!

[Rick_1105]

Originally posted by MauiHawk:
We are clearly stuck at an impasse where a lot of potential SH5 buyers sat on the sideline due to apparent sad state of SH5 (myself included), but Ubisoft has concluded the series is not worth investing any more $ in (at least partly due to those of us sitting on the sideline).

It's shameful that the code sitting out there that, given some more massaging, could potentially yield a great game yet has essentially been locked away with little hope of seeing the light of day again.

So.... assuming at least some of the modders are experience programmers and would be willing, what if the code could be made available for modders to try to fix?

Clearly Ubisoft wouldn't just release the code (opensoure). But maybe there is a remote chance they would consider allowing modders to join Ubisoft as "volunteer" employees in order to create an un-official patch?

While I'm guessing this idea would be dismissed out-of-hand, I think there are a lot of positives for Ubisoft:
- They would still own and be in full control of the code.
- They could still approve of anything going out the door (even if the patch(es) are un-official)
- Cost would be limited to paperwork, administrative tasks, and how to allow access to game code while not allowing access to sensitive code (DRM).
- They earn back some goodwill from those that have sworn off Ubisoft.
- They could recoup a little $ from the project if it got people like me to buy.
- They would be in a position to consider creating expansion packs for the game.

Personally, I would be willing to "pre-order" the game at the original full price (as well as donate to the modders) if they would be willing to allow this. I realize its disgusting that I would want to pay Ubisoft to allow the community to fix their game for free, but the bottom line is I had been very anxious for SH5 and it is starting to look as if hair-brained ideas like this one are about the only way it will ever happen.

Okay... open fire on me.

Let me start out by saying this is a great idea, IMO, but Ubisoft will more than likely reject it. By Ubisoft agreeing to this idea, they are basically saying "We messed up (I would have put a different word in there) and dont give a crap anymore". No company would publically admit that, even though, from the majority of the posts on these forums, it is what us their paying customers think of them (Ubisoft).

Ok. Having said that, let me comment on your post.

I agree that it would be stupid of Ubisoft to invest more money into this series because the sub simmers have either lost interest or have given up on Ubisoft, but... on the other hand, because there are so many (including myself) who have given up completely on anything Ubisoft related because of this SH5 disaster, it may be worth for them to make things right and try to "save face".

Yes, it is shameful the code for this game would be sitting on the shelf and collecting dust, but Ubisoft did this to themselves. They are the ones that shot themselves in their own foot. They cant blame anyone else but themselves for this SH5 disaster.

I have written posts on the subject of the modders getting together and creating something that the sub sim community would want. I think your idea is awesome that they should create an "unofficial" patch... but... I do not think I would want to pay again for a game that I already paid for. I will never buy anything more with the Ubisoft name on it, and I know there are others on these forums that feel the same way I do.

My suggestion would be just to let Ubisoft die and SH5 die... and the modders here create their own software company and come out with another sub sim. Of course it would have to be renamed because I am sure Ubisoft owns the rights to the Silent Hunter name.

[timh1111]

Please, Correct me if I'm wrong, BUT, wasn't the "Wolves" addition to SH4 written by an outside mod(s)???

[MauiHawk]

Originally posted by timh1111:
I think you kinda have the right idea, BUT, why should we (the faithful SH series followers) allow UBI to have an easy way out.

From a morality perpective, I am 100% with you. Had I already shelled out cash like you have, maybe I'd be with from all perspectives.

For me, however, my desire to have the SH5 we all had hoped for outweighs my desire to make Ubisoft pay for their unsavory treatment of the SH series followers. They are never going to properly patch the game. Though quite unlikely, this seems to me the most likely way for SH5 to be finished.

[MauiHawk]

Originally posted by Rick_1105:
on the other hand, because there are so many (including myself) who have given up completely on anything Ubisoft related because of this SH5 disaster, it may be worth for them to make things right and try to "save face".

While I certainly intend to refrain from buying another Ubisoft game unless SH5 has an acceptable resolution, I no longer share your hope that our withheld dollars will be enough to convince them to change course. Rather, I think they also need the promise of additional dollars before they will reconsider their stance on SH5.

I do not think I would want to pay again for a game that I already paid for.

And I don't think you should. However, I think if enough of us that haven't yet bought the game promised Ubisoft our dollars for a way out of this bind, there might be some small chance that, combined with the current embargo we have promised, it would amount to enough of an opportunity cost for them to consider the option.

My suggestion would be just to let Ubisoft die and SH5 die... and the modders here create their own software company and come out with another sub sim. Of course it would have to be renamed because I am sure Ubisoft owns the rights to the Silent Hunter name.

I would love for this as well... but to build a sub-sim from the ground up is a serious proposition. I don't give it any more of a chance than I do of Ubisoft creating a proper patch.

[Wolferz]

Originally posted by timh1111:
Please, Correct me if I'm wrong, BUT, wasn't the "Wolves" addition to SH4 written by an outside mod(s)???

No sir. It was the Romanian dev team that created the add on. As I understand it, the expansion was created to bolster European sales of the title. The last time I checked, IV is doing better than V in the sales department.
I guess you could say that SH V was a sales promotion for SH IV

[timh1111]

Thanks for correcting me. I am about to reformat my hard drive (time to clean again) and when I reload software, I think that SH4 will be my SUBSIM of choice.

[WilhelmSchulz.]

If anything they should do this with SHIII. I mean the game is old enough(6 years old this past March) where is shouldnt be a problem for UBI. Just give the base code to the GWX team and let them run with it. That would make SHIII a better subsim than V could ever be.