Editing Submarine simulator (section)

{{Short description|Video game genre that focuses on the command of a submarine}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}
[[File:Danger from the deep screenshot 1.jpg|thumb|Periscope screenshot from the 2003 game ''[[Danger from the Deep]]'']]
[[File:Yellow Submarine Second Life.png|thumb|A submarine in ''[[Second Life]]'']]
{{Simulation VG}}

A '''submarine simulator''' is a [[video game]] in which the player commands a [[submarine]]. The usual form of the game is to go on a series of missions, each of which features a number of encounters where the goal is to sink [[surface ship]]s and to survive counterattacks by [[destroyer]]s.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Submarine simulators are notable for the highly-variable pace of the game;{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} it may take hours of simulated time to get into position to attack a well-defended [[convoy]],{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} and sub simulators typically include an option for players to adjust the ratio of real time to simulated time up and down as desired.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

Most submarine simulators use [[World War II]] as the setting; its submarine warfare was lengthy and intense, the historical material is extensive, and the limited capabilities of the period's submarines place a high premium on game playing skill. Games usually feature either US submarines in the Pacific Ocean, or German [[U-boat]]s in the Atlantic Ocean. Another popular category is modern [[attack submarine]]s, especially those of the {{Sclass|Los Angeles|submarine|4}} also known as "688s" after the hull identification number of the first vessel of the class.

Game displays generally include an overhead map or "radar" view, showing the submarine and any ships whose position can be detected, the [[periscope]] view if the sub is close enough to the surface, a set of gauges showing depth and course, and a boat plan showing [[torpedo]] availability, damage to various subsystems and other in-game issues that may arise.

The first submarine simulator available to the civilian public was Thorn EMI's ''[[Submarine Commander]]'' of 1982.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}