Why Do you Fly Aces High?

[Beegerite]

I flew FA and FA2 for over a year before finding AH.  REALITY! That's why.  As a former CFI I've got enough time in airplanes to recognize it when I see it.  Not to say that it's perfect e.g. stall spins aren't up to snuff in my book.  However, the commitment of the management to be as realistic as possible will keep me here.  The minute I start seeing watering down to please the unwashed masses I'll be moving on.
And, did I tell you about the graphics?  The altitude relationship could be improved on e.g. fields look the same from various altitudes but everything else is absolutely breathtaking.  Finally, I'm an addict and just can't stop myself, LOL.

[rosco-]

 I like kieren am a migrant from DOA, loved it too but after downloading and trying out AH and getting 2 or 3 updates every month I decided DOA was going nowhere and I would rather spend my time and money on a sim with a future. The DOA community was about as good a bunch of people to fly with as you could find, and that was the hardest part of leaving, but I see many other X-DOA'ers now flying AH and that made the switch easier  
 In short, a great sim, good people and a flat rate is what keeps me here  

[Grumble]

Very Interesting question but from my standpoint requires 'MUCHO' explaination.


   I started online WW2 sims with Airwarrior on the 'GEnie' network in 1990 or so(as Ivan the Terrible, I.E. Yak9D driver). 2400Baud, 9600 Baud had a $urcharge.  I blasted $500 one month in fees  .  After a short stint i left the online world and stayed dormant until the intro of WB years ago.  I didnt play for long but what i was disappointed in the most was the lack of community that WB had in comparison to Airwarrior, always felt like a 'snob arena'.  Later i played the BETA of FLying Circus(as THUD), then Dawn of Aces (as Grappl), also AW3-Beta on the Net (as Grappl), flew some AW3 on Gamestorm )(with the 'Groverats' squad), then played a few times on simguilds 'Battle of Britain'sim also, intermittent periods of Fighter Ace (as Soff the Slavic). Then when i saw HT and some others had left WB and were starting a new game i had to check back in.
    Only thing i can still see about AH is that it hasnt yet developed that merry spirit that AW in the 90's had. Maybe thats just me but then again its still young. But i always enjoy flying and looking forward to the new A/C that get put in it  ! Also, its currently the only one i play   Flight Model feels real from my 'real' flying experience.


Grumbler (AH)'Old Ancient of Days   '

formerly
Ivan the Terrible aka IVAN (GEnie circa 1990)
Soff the Slav(AW3 BETA)
Grapple (AW3 Gamestorm/Groverats squad)
THUD *SL* (Flying Circus)
Soff the Slav (Fighter Ace)
etc. etc.  

[CavemanJ]

I'm still here for the guys I fly with.  Plain and simple.  The great gfx and flight models are just a boon that just set the hook a little deeper =)

[Westy]

 I don't have the hours to write it all out nor do I think people want to read all the things that they already know make AH a great sim. And where would I start really? The graphics are top notch. I have AW3 and the latest WB's on my HDD and they both are not in the same league (although the AW3 "SAC" program is enviable to say the least!) Sheesh. I fly here in 1280X1024, 32bit and have FPS in the 30's and up. I cannot do that in the other sims at all. AW3 3d I get low 20's and into the teens in 600x480 res.
 The view system? Fantastic! The GUI is easy and VERY versatile. Just the freekin login is so simple. No Gamestorm baloney. No iLZ or whatever WB's calls it. Heres it is so simple and easy.
 I won't compare the flight models from AW3
(FULL realism only) and WB's with AH because I am not a pilot and have I even flown a plane. But I do trust and feel that *all three* companies HAVE strived to provide the most realistic flight model they can. (Fighter Ace doesn't make the cut imo) So for me it's the REST of the program with the superb features and things I did not have in and would not have for years in AW3, that partially draw me here.
 I'd have say that one of the BIGGEST factors is the price. It DOES act like a wonderfull goober filter. Cod! No macro's spewing in the text buffer nor is the assinine behavior wherever you turn rampant like it is elsewhere. We will always see some as long as the free two week trial folks have access to the same places we do. But I've learned the squelch/ignore commnds.
 The folks here are more serious about thier hobby. Sure there are serious folks at WB's too and in AW too. And here the people are what I would consider ALL hardcore.
 The community has yet to still blend into "one" though. I feel that there is a bit of WB, AW3, FA self-segregation still going on. It's lessening, but has a ways to go imo. When the webboard and online talk of other sims fades away to very little and we start having more squads, scenarios, even the smaller weekly events we'll be having our own stories to tell and we'll be creating our own history.
 Not that we should forget the past and where we came from but let's look to the future togther as one community and of the fun we'll all be having here.

 In short I am here because AH is the best AND I can afford the best now.

  -Westy

[This message has been edited by Westy (edited 02-26-2000).]

[Dinger]

It's fun.
Zoom feature means I can see the enemy planes.
hit sprites aren't as good, but hey.  I don't like HSuizas very much.
And, yes, being able to see the progress the game is making helps a lot; I know brand W has to have a different timetable because of where it is in development, but I like the idea of seeing new planes on a monthly instead of yearly basis.
I'm looking forward to scenarios and maps, and to a community as diverse and mature as in brand W.  I'm heartened by the fact that many of the players I respect the most are already here.
And, yes, I too am an ex-DoA player.  I've had some great dogfights with Kieren, tshred, rosco and others who now find themselves here (the hard corps of the Early War movement   ).  I also share with them (and with Brand W players for that matter) the profound frustration of actual caring for those games.  I'm placing my faith in HTC's visible commitment and capacity.

[Sunchaser]

10. Brand W offline locked up more than it did not.

9. Brand W, even if it worked for me, is too
expensive.

8. AH is my first dedicated online flight sim and it works, connections beat any boxed sim hands down.

7. I got tired of getting shot down by the AI, it is much more fun to get shot down by real intelligence. {well, mostly real.}

6. AH at 5 or 6 MB  works better on and offline than the 500+ MB other ones I use and the view system is GREAT!

5. I really like the graphics and they ain't even done yet.

4.The people here, even those who do not agree with me about that damned Cannon wagon that takes my B17 out with 1 shot.

3. I love flying the canyons in a B17, knocking those velcro sheep off the vertical sides with my wingtips.

2. When the other one worked offline those damned Hitech and Pyro AI guys shot me a lot and were not even there to enjoy it so I decided to let them do it for real.

1. I really, really hate sheep and I get to bomb the crap outa them here.

I was totally against pay to play online but have realized that boxed sims just cannot and are not designed to work well online with more than a few players.

Perhaps the next generation of boxed sims will but, for now, Aces High does so I will smoke a few less cigarettes, pay the 30 bucks and continue to say "MAMMA. HELP ME!" whenever I see a Corsair nearby.

I do it 'cause it is FUN.

[cord]

I flew in wb about 3 years with a squadron. I had a P-133 with generic everything, I had bad connections and really sucked at flying. I bought a new system and still had connection problems. It wasn't worth the money to continue to play. (others like it and dont have these problems)
I heard about AH; downloaded it to catch the last of Beta Test, I like it so continue to play it. (I dont have the connection problems that I had with the other sim)
I also like the community here much better.

cord

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"Why is it called a R.I.P cord?"

[JENG]

Well I'm also a fromer brand W player... not long tho... was there from 2.4 to 2.7

Quit not because of connection problems (although it occured alot)... but because I get pretty addicted realy fast...   My wallet couldn't support that addiction (first month 210$)... so I quit.

I heared about AH from some former WB buddies and logged in beta .33... been here since october and loved it very much...

What gets me kicking is the community... I feel that the community is better then that in  WB. It's almost an 'everybody knows everybody' community... no matter what country you fly... and that's what I like    

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BEE
'Nemo Impune Lacessit'
   
JG2 "Richthofen"

[This message has been edited by JENG (edited 02-26-2000).]

[This message has been edited by JENG (edited 02-26-2000).]

[Dos Equis]

HT and Pyro are proof that a few guys who really can code and understand their subject are worth 100 wannabes.

AH has accomplished more in 30 Megs than most can in 300. A great FM, a great view system, a 3D engine that works acceptably to a P2-266, awesome artwork and good damage modelling. (Cannon at range needs to be tuned.)

When I interview people, I look for the people like HT and Pyro, guys who probably accomplish more in a day than 25 lousy programmers put together.

Also, hats off to NATEDOG. Frying Tiger was good, but NATEDOG is really doing it all in 3D, and the AH cockpits have come a LONG way from feeling like you're sitting in a shoebox.

XX
Flying Pigs

[Camel]

Played WB 1.10-2.1 bad connex, a slow puter, and a new house forced me out of the sim world for a bit.
Found DOA in Beta, and my puter could handle it in 2D. I really enjoyed my time with the community and the FM in DOA, but bad connex and the same slow puter kept me from getting an acount to play after the beta.
I made sure I would have a new box by the time AH hit beta, cause I had NO doubt that AH is the future for high fidelity FM's. The rest(all of it) is an outstanding piece of work that anybody involved should be truly proud of.
As for the community here, it reminds me of the WB1.11 and DOA crowd that I enjoyed so much!
The 30$ monthly investment is peanuts to what you get in return here at AH.

[Torque]

Because "I am Canadian"

[Dingy]

Good idea for a thread Weaz!

I fly AH cause right now it seems to be the best online sim available right now.  I have flow AW for 4 years and have enjoyed the commaraderie as much as I have the competition.  My online hobby has allowed me to forge some friendships I would have missed out on if I hadnt been such a flight sim fanatic.

The relationships with my 33rd squadmates have evolved from simple online acquaintences to real personal friendships.  My squad is eagerly getting ready for their third annual Weekend At Arrows (WAA)where we all meet at our XO's house for a weekend of partying, merriment and fun!  

Its something that wouldnt have been possible if it werent for these online meeting spots.  

Now why do I fly AH?  Cause its pretty, has a challenging flight model, realistic gunnery and damage and some of the best talent in the gaming world.  It seems that I never cease to be challenged and just when I begin to become frustrated, my victor pipes over the radio, "Great flying Dingy! <S>".

Thats what keeps me here  

-Ding

[Sorrow[S=A]]

I fly AH because it was my first flight sim   The challenge level keeps me flying (and dying) here. The more I play the more I learn and I can't stop coming here for that !
  Even better, my time here at AH has led me to learning more flight sims and enjoying them, I now have Falcon 4.0 and Janes WWII fighters and enjoy them both. But in the end, it's the ability to fight against people and the millions of possibilities in the arena's that makes me love AH so much!

BTW the "freehost" that was mentioned was the 8 person free server. Most of the Russian members and non-payers are eagerly waiting the chance to get back in with this.

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If your in range, so is the enemy.

[janneh]

..because I love AH !
It's better than WB !
It'll be much better, that's for sure !

Shit thing is, that I have to leave AH for about year or so  

At this point I must apologize HiTech for dishonesty.
As I'm leaving for certain purposes, I didn't wanted to start "janneh" account as I'd have to end it for a year and according to HTC there's no way You can restart with same ID.
Sooooo, as I have multiple email addresses I started new one after 2 weeks (hennaj, Cheetah).
I really like this game(& community) and I'm looking forward to see you guys / gals again!
And with janneh ID