Harpoon 3 Advanced Naval Warfare is the result of decades of development and fan support, resulting in the most comprehensive, realistic, and accurate simulation of modern combined air and naval operations available to the gaming public. New features include, multiplayer support, third party databases, scenario editors, and OVER 300 pre-built scenarios!
I'll dip my toes in to this one.
The only publicly released DBs that make use of the 3.9x codeline are the HUD3 and ANWDBs.
PDB has the most scenarios by far but as you've surmised the consistency across entries in the DB leaves something to be desired. PDB is the only database that strictly follows a "don't mess up the existing experience" approach. Whereas HUD3 could possibly significantly change the range of an existing weapon in the DB, PDB would add a new weapon in such circumstances rather than edit the existing weapon to be sure existing scenarios don't need to be refreshed to play correctly with the new values. PDB has a questionable history as to the source of its data, accusations don't however equate to guilt and I'm personally a fence sitter, it looks fishy but I can't conclusively prove innocence or guilt. I do have definite feelings about supporting PDB and unfortunately over time those feelings have gone from ardent supporter to as little support as possible but I hope that to swing back in the future.
ANWDB is mostly the work of VCDH. Dale likes to keep as much compatibility as possible with the H4 paper data. Dale also has a life and ANWDB is not updated as frequently as PDB or HUD3.
HUD3 as you've noted comes from the HUD2 man Darren (Bucks) and takes realism seriously (departing at times from a strict H4 adherence). This is a good time to note that the H4 paper data can not directly translate to the computer game so one person's direct translation is another person's horrible slandering of the H4 data, it is interpretation, and Darren has a different interpretation from Dale and a different interpretation than Ragnar (DB2000). That doesn't mean one of them is right (or that all of them are wrong...). I'm a big fan of HUD3 and think it is currently the best way forward for ANW scenarios. Darren has a good group of guys supporting him, something that imho is important to growing the DB as well as the game.
DB2000 is arguably the best/most realistic/etc. database for Harpoon 3.6.3. It has not however been updated to take advantage of ANW or to work properly with ANW. HHQ and Ragnar don't see eye to eye with the ANW development and have pretty much left the game for other pursuits. I have a lot to say about HHQ that isn't very pleasant but I'll save it for now. Let's just say I don't like supporting HHQ any more than is neccessary.
That's my take in a nutshell. My approach at present is to support HUD3 with most of my extremely limited ANW time and hope that the others keep plugging along in one form or another.
Very fair assessment Tony.
Personally I've used PDB because of the incredible support from its maker (in terms of fixing things, special entries and testing).
Realism is hard to comment on; there are differences between the databases especially in the kind of data hard to get at; aircraft ready times, ECM effects, sonar ranges and the like. I think most DB-editors also there make a tradeoff between realism, available data and playability.
Freek
Every database is a series of editorial preferences. 'Realism' is totally subjective, IMO. I would not characterize any database as 'right' or 'wrong'. So long as the weapons fire, the weapons hit, the planes launch, and ships sail, a database can be said to be 'working'.
Unfortunately, this may not be the case for all databases. Suffice it to say, try them all and find the one you like. It won't be too difficult to switch around between them. Just try the tutorials provided by each database and you can probably come to a decision as to which one works best for you.
Use the one that makes you happiest. As you may have read on this forum, I (and others) will be happy to support you whatever decision you make. [:)]
