When you get the Package, open it. You should find a manual, grid map, and the DVD. I don't remember where, but in the SUBSIM forums fellow Kaleuns are saying that the later copies of SH3 sold by UBI do not contain starforce, and the grid map is gone. I don't know if this is true or not, however, i have bought an additional sh3 retail store copy in 2007 and found all of the contents in there (compusa, nyc).

Please note the System requirements.

Insert the DVD into ANY kind of DVD Drive, and Install the game. Some have reported issues with Nero disk burning software, as well as DVD+/-RW drives, due to the copy protection.

After you are finished installing, you have the option of installing game shadow or not. your choice. i did not and could still run sh3 multiplayer.

Now, DON"T RUN THE GAME! Go to http://www.silenthunteriii.com/uk/home.php and download the latest patch- version 1.4b.

(not completely essential, but pm me if you want this information, as I cannot post this here).

you can play the game. but wait-there's more yet (much more).

Now, go and read the Silent Hunter 3 must-have community manual. It is available here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=130845&highlight=community+manual .

http://silent-hunter-addict.com/files/SilentHunterIII_Community_Manual.mht

This is an extension to the manual that came with your game (either in booklet form or pdf on your DVD, or both) Remember that some of the info applies to Stock SH3, not the various mods, but still most of the info is good for any version of SH3 that you play, i. e. mods or no mods.

Finally, we are ready for mods. Silent Hunter 3 has tons of mods, extra stuff, to make playing the game a closer experience with historical realism. This is true with almost any hardcore sim these days. To install mods efficiently, you will FIRST have to need JSGME (Jonesoft generic mod enabler)-which is very efficient. Download it at http://www.users.on.net/~jscones/software/products.html . The instructions are on the web page, as well as once you install the program. This program means that any dealing with mods-installation, uninstallation, creation, testing, etc. a breeze.

Then, when you have gotten it, you should absolutely try SH3 commander. I am too lazy to explain everything here-you'll understand when you read about it here: http://www.users.on.net/~jscones/software/products/SH3CUG.pdf
This is another must have mod, and in any case, one of the few that does not get installed via JSGME. Also, it is compatible with any of the supermods (discussed below)

Finally, another small mod that is installed alone (no JSGME) and compatible with the supermods is the SH3GEN: http://www.global-explorer.de/
As with SH3 commander, I will not take too much time to explain this-you'll get it once you read about it There are tons of other examples like Sh3 commander and sh3gen, which both do not use jsgme and are compatible with any of the supermods, but i'll go on and explain the most essential stuff first, and then you will know what to do by yourself.

Now, depending on your system requirements, you maybe able to handle a number of mods, including the famous SH3 supermods (GWX 2.1, NYGM, LSH3, etc), which are all found in http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=115089 .

What's a supermod? Good question. Its a mod that imporves all aspects of a sim, unlike individual mods which just focus on a small detail. A supermod encompases many changes and modifications to the stock game, and are more often than not uncompatible with other super mods (this is unfortunately the case with all of the above mentioned SH3 supermods).

Why should I install supermods first, or even bother with them in the first case? Another good question. Think of addons to a game-i. e. the battlefield series, Arma queen's gambit, fsx acceleration, etc. except that in the case of SH3, its free, and the content is IMHO in many ways if not actually wholly surperior to a purchased, commercial addon. Regardless of the eventual supermod you choose (and I suggest you try all of them), each one brings an unique, highly enhanced experience to the original ubisoft sub sim.

Also, many of the smaller mods are only compatible with some of the supermods. Thus-you get what I mean.

After countless hours of experience, I believe that it is best to have multiple installs of SH3, provided that your hard drive is able to fit it all: one install of stock SH3 version 1.4b, and one install of each of the supermods. This way, you can always keep a safe, unmodded, version of the original game, (in case your modded installations go wrong), and you can enjoy all that the different supermods have to offer, without having them conflicting each other. My favorite is GWX 2.1 due to its features and immersion, but I recommend giving all of the supermods a try, and as I said, creating and enjoying separate installs with each.

Once you have done that, go and find smaller mods (updated regularly, almost daily) here:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=195

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132596

Finally, you are really ready to play. enjoy the Game! I know that for a newcomer to the game, this is daunting, but, trust me, once you have accomplished this, play for a few months, read the manuals of the supermods, and then try out the original sh3! I am sure that you cannot bear to play it any longer! you'll know what i mean when you see the unselfish work of so many modders in our online simming community. it really transforms the simming experience for all who are involved-both the mod creators and the users.

all silent hunter 3 related information (aside from the mods, which i linked above):

http://silent-hunter-addict.com/Manuals-Guides-Tutorials-Guides.html

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=182

If you have to uninstall the game for any reason, follow the steps in the community manual.

Good Luck, and if you have any additional questions, PM me. Remember to check Subsim.com frequently from time to time for all kinds of updates and additional community advice!

P.S. Play around with various mods and see which one you like best. Finding the perfect SH3 experience for me, took more than 3 years!

I would finally like to thank all of the people who have done anything out of their heart to help others in this community. I remember coming here (as well as subsim.com) years ago and not knowing that the monitor was actually not the computer itself (like many beginners), thinking that you just install the game, and then play, not knowing what cpu, gpu, ram, was, etc. I was helped by the unselfish members here, and now, although I don't claim to be a sage, hope to give some of the information which I have been generously given, to other beginners who might need it. So feel free to learn from my guide, give comments, ask questions etc. ! Anything, as long as it is in good faith, is welcomed here!

Jas39

Good stuff!

Thanks for taking the pain out of getting back into SH3!

youre welcome

JAS39,

Can I install Grey Wolves on a SH3 install which I have previously run and what will happen to the savegames of the earlier install ?

I'm on Single Mission - Gilbratar .....have not completed it but made a few savegames for it.

P.S. I previously downloaded and installed SH3 Patch 1.4b from the filefront link. However when I ran the setup exe, it said that this will update the game to v1.3

I thought it was suppose to be 1.4b ?

Super-newbie question here, but played SHIII when it first came out. Three important questions here:

1. Did they finally fix that fatigue model?
2. Did they improve the sonograph/sonar sounds?
3. Back then, there were ways to "win" without having to do "submarine tactics," rushing a boat on the surface and killing it with the deck gun was one thing, running alongside the boat waving to the doomed seamen before turning 90deg and torping them from your rear tubes was another. Please, has this been fixed?

And one minor question:

4. Is there a place that lists the improvements of the supermod vs. the stock install?

Thanks, liked SH3 in the past, but didn't quite do it for me. I'd like to see if it's worth another go.

@Harry-the-Ruskie..

I would not install Grey Wolves into an existing install.

The GW dev team highly recommend a fresh install and patched game that has not been run yet to make sure everything works as it should.

@ecienavxela...

Your best bet would be to read the GWX manual in the links above.That will answer all of your questions.

But I will tell you that using the cheap tactics from the stock game will get you killed in this mod.The deck gun is no longer a primary weapon.It is now meant to be used as a secondary weapon to finish off an already damaged target.You can kill with the deck gun but it will take quite a bit to put a ship down with it.
In the GWX mod you MUST use actual U-Boat tactics if you want to survive.No more duking it out on the surface with destroyers as that will get you nothing but killed.No more just charging in on the surface as that will get you killed.You MUST actually think and play like the hunter now.Stalking and setting up your shots and then getting out of dodge before the crap hits the fan.No more sitting in one place to watch your torpedoes hit.You fire them and then get out of the area.

Another site to check out is the main site where the GWX dev team hangs out.This will have alot of info and help if needed.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/index.php

eclen, read the GMX manual.

they fixed just about everything.

remember the community wiki manual...

it answers a lot of questions about stock SH3...

for the GMX mod, read its own manual...

download the mod here...

http://www.users.on.net/~jscones/GWX/

it has every mirror of every file you need for GMX...

Wow, thanks. Yes, I've downloaded the manual, and things seem to be fixed, but the general impression I get was that things are harder now.

I'm glad to see that we have to use U-boat tactics now. I used to do the "lie in wait and fire at the exact moment" tactic, but when I discovered that the stock SH3 can be played with kamikaze tactics, I lost interest.

This is good for destroyers or convoys with escorts, but is it also good for lone cargo/tankers?

Also, has the "magic destroyer sonar" thing been fixed? IIRC, when engaging a convoy, destroyers would come upon you and buzz like flies over dead meat no matter if you dive/go silent/whatever; there was no way to shake them off, it seemed like they had mag-res or something.

Finally, one very important question: has the "thermal layer" been implemented (read about this on Tom Clancy novels)?

Seems so.

I am currently only on my second patrol with GWX, so I can't speak with real authority, but I've just evaded my first contact with destroyers...after making contact with a couple of merchants under their protection.

After taking multiple observations, I cut loose 2 pairs of eels at around 2500m, striking and sinking two ships...immediately going silent and deep putting my stern towards the convoy. A single destroyer circled behind me for about 1/2 hour then took off never to be heard from again.