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Show HN: I made a tactical map-based WWII submarine simulator (public beta)

https://silentshark.app/alpha/
11•epaga•2d ago
I've seen quite a few simming discussions on HN, so thought some of you might like this - I've created a map-centered, tactical submarine simulator and it's been a blast to make.

I grew up playing Silent Service II on Atari ST with my dad, then got into Silent Hunter IV in the 2000s, and most recently have been loving the more recent UBoat. In each case, the part I always enjoy the most is the plotting and charting aspect - essentially beating uncertain estimates with geometry.

So I decided to see how far I could get making my own sim that focused nearly entirely on that aspect. You listen on the hydrophone, estimate course and speed, identify ships through the periscope to get the mast height, use a working stadimeter for range estimates, and then try to build a good enough firing solution before getting discovered and hunted by any escorts.

Things I'm particularly proud of are the working stadimeter, the dynamic music (Holst Mars stings when your torpedo is nearing a ship), and pretty intelligent destroyer logic. I've found great reference materials online and have modeled several of the gauges directly after actual submarine instruments.

Tech-wise it’s a Vite/TypeScript app which enables me to offer the whole free version of the app as a browser version.

The Steam page is here => https://store.steampowered.com/app/4705650

The landing page is here => https://silentshark.app

I plan on releasing a full version soonish, including a WWII campaign with progression, patrol zones, and much more on Steam (PC, Mac, Linux/Steam Deck), App Store (iPhone, iPad, Mac), and Play Store (Android).

Would highly appreciate any feedback anyone has!

Comments

epaga•37m ago
Oh wow, guess this is getting auto-reposted! I posted it a while back to 0 upvotes...

Anyways, this project has been a blast to make especially with all the free and public domain resources that are out there on WW2 stuff.

A few fun examples that helped me:

- an original Torpedo Data Computer manual https://maritime.org/tech/tdc.php

- an original recognition book of Japanese merchant ships https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/NewPDFs/USN/ONI%20Recog...

- an original report of the Battle of Leyte Gulf including a patrol zone map of US submarines on page 166 https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA003030.pdf

abrookewood•30m ago
Congrats on the launch. Looks interesting, though maybe a tad dry. Love the authenticity though. Have wish listed it and will keep an eye out.
epaga•27m ago
Thanks a lot! Any ideas how to make it less dry? :) That's kind of par for the course for submarine sims, I suppose...
yarekt•22m ago
very cool, i’m in
crimsoneer•5m ago
Is that comic sans or am I having a moment
epaga•2m ago
It should be Patrick Hand, and Special Elite for typewriter stuff...but are you seeing Comic Sans, seriously?
dwroberts•4m ago
I would like to try this, but would strongly prefer a demo on Steam that starts and runs fullscreen rather than playing it in the browser.

Can obviously fullscreen a browser tab etc - just that, playing it in the browser has a sense of impermanence that doesn’t mesh with needing to take a long time to learn and play it? I dunno, just feels like the wrong place for it

epaga•1m ago
Definitely planning on getting a demo out. Which device are you on? I could add you as a beta tester if you're interested.

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Show HN: I made a tactical map-based WWII submarine simulator (public beta)

https://silentshark.app/alpha/
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