Vessels may be controlled by keyboard, mouse or customisable game controllers.
Weather and sea conditions are adjustable, enabling different levels of play. Unusual for a vehicle simulator, users of Virtual Sailor can often roam the interiors of their ships. Control panels feature compass bearing, wind speed and direction, speed, rpm, fuel level, winch settings, sail settings, radar and GPS are also included. It is also possible to create and edit both vessel types and marine scenery. Racing against either AI or online competitors is possible, as is exploring, recreating voyages or naval combat. Players may control a variety of sail and motor powered vessels above and below the sea, interacting with other vessels, changing weather conditions, marine life and dynamic wave movements. Gameplay Screenshot of command bridge of a cruise ship Users can create add-ons including boats, sceneries and marine animals to share with other players.
Both the graphics and boat dynamics have been designed to be as realistic as possible, and the software also features multi-player capabilities. Virtual Sailor, created by Ilan Papini and published by Quality Simulations and Hangsim, is a shareware program which allows users to operate a wide variety of vessels (sail & powered) in world-wide locations.
