Near Fatal Error

[slimm50]

Last night I was toolin around in my P51D when I spied a distant con. As we closed distance I had a slight alt advantage (maybe 1K). When I got wihtin icon range I saw it was  P51. I thought I knew what I was up against because I assumed it was a D model. So that's what I set up to fight. When I got really close, I saw it  was green in color. My eyes got big and my knuckles turned white because I know that when I fly th B model, I can out turn a D easily. This guy was out turning me and the only thing that saved me was he was a newb and panicked when I pinged him a couple of times (no serious damage), and eventually he zagged when he shoulda zigged. But I found myself wishing HT would differentiate between models on their tags. I know sometimes it makes for a long tag with some planes.

Slim03

[Pooh21]

why itd be the same in real, with better eyes.

[slimm50]

Good point, Pooh. But, then, just take the tags off altogether. I don't think the resolution in htis game is such that the planes are as recognizable at a distance as they might be irl. Could just be my crummy vid card, though.

[Gloves]

The problem with taking the tags off altogether is that you can't identify friend or foe.  All 3 countries can fly the same planes.  Maybe the tag could stay, but only show the country ID, not aircraft type.

[moot]

there was radio contact with friendlies, so they would be indentified.
enemies on the other hand..  the wwiiol system is not perfect but better.

[Flyboy]

i would like to see all the "varient" tags go awey

so when i see a spit14 it will say "spit" or when fighting a F4u-4 it will say only F4u.


i find it very easy to identify between the 2 p51s since the D model really shines out and allso the B green colour is very obvious

try identify a 109moddel in a fight, now heres a challenge

[mold]

Originally posted by slimm50
I don't think the resolution in htis game is such that the planes are as recognizable at a distance as they might be irl.

I agree.  Even the best resolution video cards are no match to the eyes.  So definitely icons are realistic, including plane type.  I do think that even real eyes would not be able to ID planes at the distances that we see icons...but it is not so bad.  Plane variants, OTOH, is a little harder to judge.  Perhaps variant information should appear at close hand only--but then again some variant are prolly hard to distimguish IRL as well, even at close hand.

[LePaul]

I think they should make up their mind on a standard.  If F4's are F4's, why does the perked one get the neon "shoot me" sign  

Same with the Spit/Spit 14, etc

[MetaTron]

I can usually tell by the actions of the target which specific variant a plane is. You do find people flying planes out of character though. Sometimes a 20K dweeb in a FW190A8 with a 5k alt advantage on a 109G10 doesnt realize he is already out of his league.

[mold]

Originally posted by MetaTron
I can usually tell by the actions of the target which specific variant a plane is.

True, to some extent.  Sometimes it may be too late before you make a determination, but sometimes not.

Originally posted by MetaTron
Sometimes a 20K dweeb in a FW190A8 with a 5k alt advantage on a 109G10 doesnt realize he is already out of his league.

LOL.

[F4i]

Originally posted by slimm50
But I found myself wishing HT would differentiate between models on their tags. I know sometimes it makes for a long tag with some planes.
 

Fortunately, you're in the minority here.

I don't want to know what variant I'm up against until I can see the paint job...period.  

TBolt

[F4i]

Originally posted by Flyboy
try identify a 109moddel in a fight, now heres a challenge

Recently, I've become a 109G-10 addict.  Anyway, I made this desktop wallpaper for myself so that I could get used to ID'ing each 109 with my eyes.  Thought it might help.

TBolt

[MotorOil]

Slimm, I gotta disagree.  Sure it helps the game play by differentiating the plane types however, a game built with the basis of being a flight simulator, I'd rather see no differentiation in the tag.  I like being able to see it's a 51, or a 109 but I would like some advantage in flying the variants unrecognized.  Pilots would not be able to tell the difference of certain variants, even up close.  I'd like to see the F4U4 or Ta152 simply show up as F4U or FW190.

On the flip side you have to consider the main game style.  Is the Hurricane Mark I any more disadvantaged not knowing it's a Spit XIV he's engaging?  Further advantage goes to the Spit.

[BlckMgk]

Plane identifiers should be removed, country identifiers kept...

When I see a "p51" over a plane I've already set up my strategy in my head... " Oh I can out turn this plane.." or "I can out zoom this guy.." etc..

It'd be fun to find out on the fly..