special thanks to Destraex for this preview....

http://www.simhq.com/naval-combat/naval-action-early-preview.html

Thanks Destraes, very interesting (and well written!).

You mention that it is just in alpha so at the moment just includes simple deathmatch play.

Does the future roadmap include any sort of strategic elements, campaign interface etc? Or is this sort of War Thunder on the high sees, with players focused on upgrading their ships, earning new ships etc

Thx

Fred

The alpha has been mostly about the sailing and combat mechanics. Next up in their release schedual is an open world thingy, which will apparently consist of carribean map with some fractions.

Hi Heinkill,

I would say it is a bit of war thunder in that you do upgrade your ships. However it also has strategic elements in that it will have a huge open world that it will probably take hours to sail across. Also there will be AI sailing around in merchant ships and such I think. So the open world will not just be about PVP. It should be alive as well.
But most of this is just speculation until we see it.
The open world looks like it will have day/night cycles as well amongst other things.

As for a strategic map their was talk of a captains cabin map.... but I am not sure when or if that will be implemented.

So you could be a merchant trader and run cargo from port to port watching for pirates or opposing fleets and perhaps hiring or having friends escort you. I think. Don't quote me on any of this. Let's just say I have strong feelings about these things. The point is you don't even have to be a warship captain. There will be some sort of economy thriving I would think.....

So the strategic element will still be you in your ship. But if you are aligned with a faction or fleet you will probably have to take missions and as you gain standing with the admiral better ships... it is rumoured that after you choose to be born in say germany, you can then join the british fleet for instance and do missions until your standing increases enough to gain command of say a victory class vessel.

The next phase of testing is rumoured to have 24hr scenario testing. But who knows because open world is supposed to be next.... it is very exciting and interesting.

On the forums their is talk of enforced surrender \ striking of colours by the developers at the moment. They are thinking of doing this somehow rather than letting people fight to the death taking their cargo to the bottom with them.

sounds good

I'm kicking myself for not picking this up at once, when I finally got around to it they don't distribute the alpha any more! Can't wait until it's available again!

I notice your signature is from the Aubrey series

Nice review Destraex, it was your thread on the Naval section of the forum that lead me to Naval Action last week.
The nice gentleman at Naval Action sent me a key last night after asking them very, very nicely. Working my way up and learning what is what in the game. Very enjoyable so far

Avast there me Hearties. Spotted this on U Tube in me Spay Glass:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/video/18th...CX?ocid=U270DHP

It's from the movie. My favourite movie of all time. I've read the books at least three times each. What a fantastic literary universe. I wish I could "unread" it all and discover it all over again!

Rumor has it that the Open World will be starting up.

When where how?

Are they still considering free to play model

Don't know about Free Play. The Open world so far is the only rumor that I heard. No one knew when,but only soon.

First round of open world started TODAY.