It's been a while :)

[Degas]

When I left AH back in 2001, it was mainly because I was stuck on a tin-can and string dialup 28.8 connection, and it just made the action "un-fun"  Finally, an extremely bright Norwegian sheep-farmer up here in the frozen plains decided to experiment with "Wireless Internet".  Ya, you betcha!!

I've always said that the only thing keeping me from coming back was electricity and broadband.  Thanks to Rural Cooperatives, I am about to have both.

I've been away so long, I'm going to be the Compleat n00b (tm).  I'd like to get a feel for the state of AH, though.  So, I'm going to tell you what it was like back in the day.  Then, perhaps some kind person will tell me how it's changed

We had 3 maps.  They changed the first of every month.  Mid-month resets just randomly placed each of the factions in one of 3 starting positions on the same map.

Bishops outnumbered the Rooks and Nits, even combined.  We, therefore (I was Rook), had a kind of unofficial "kill the Bish" alliance going on.

Fee was 24.95 USD/month.

GV's were relatively new, and the only one people played in regularly was the Ostie.

The major whineage was about the "Laser 50's" on the Forts.  Oh, and the FM (some things never change )

My buddy Sunchaser was the king of the goonies.

Field AA installations had just been introduced.

Roger Wilco was the supported voice comm.

99.99% of the play went on in the MA.

There were "furballers" and then there was everyone else.  Furballers weren't interested in capturing bases, and would sometimes get abusive when you did

Anyone want to take a general stab at the most important changes over the last 3 years or so?  I know AHII is in OB, and have been reading up on it.  I was thinking of downloading just the new version.  Opinions?  I don't think my hardware is going to be a problem, even with the new version.  3 gig P4, SB sound card, GeF 5600 Ultra, 1 gig of RAM.

I am pleasantly surprised to see so many names that were here back during the time I was playing.  I can't believe my log-in was still on file!

[Icer]

Originally posted by Degas
snip... We had 3 maps.  They changed the first of every month.  Mid-month resets just randomly placed each of the factions in one of 3 starting positions on the same map.

There is only one good map now, its called OZKanasas after a squad member of the 13th TAS that passed.


Bishops outnumbered the Rooks and Nits, even combined.  We, therefore (I was Rook), had a kind of unofficial "kill the Bish" alliance going on.

Numbers are more even now, though "Kill the Bish" sounds good.


Fee was 24.95 USD/month.

It's $14.95 US unlimited play now.


GV's were relatively new, and the only one people played in
regularly was the Ostie.

Whole islands are dedicated to GV battles now, though it seems bombers sometimes go there to "ruin their fun".. LOL


The major whineage was about the "Laser 50's" on the Forts.  Oh, and the FM (some things never change )

Now they fly (one player) in formations of 3 and the lazers come out of all three at the same time at one aim point...


My buddy Sunchaser was the king of the goonies.

Never heard of him.


Field AA installations had just been introduced.

Still there, couple are man-able now too.


Roger Wilco was the supported voice comm.

Built in local channel (friendly within visual icon range) and squad private channel along with 1-1 dedicated.

99.99% of the play went on in the MA.

98% still does.


There were "furballers" and then there was everyone else.  Furballers weren't interested in capturing bases, and would sometimes get abusive when you did

No, we all get along now...

Anyone want to take a general stab at the most important changes over the last 3 years or so?  I know AHII is in OB, and have been reading up on it.  I was thinking of downloading just the new version.  Opinions?  I don't think my hardware is going to be a problem, even with the new version.  3 gig P4, SB sound card, GeF 5600 Ultra, 1 gig of RAM.

It seems that someone has figured a way to man the 5" guns in a CV and "aimbot" planes out at 8-10K ranges, so if you can, grab that cheat... Really though, get AH2 and strart learning the FM's in there, as AH1 is going to be history VERY soon by the looks of it.

I am pleasantly surprised to see so many names that were here back during the time I was playing.  I can't believe my log-in was still on file!

Welcome back!

[Degas]

Thanks, Icer

So...Sunchaser is gone.  Alabama, too?  I remember Cit and Kweassa, flew with both of them.

Some others, as well.

Maybe this time I'll get out of buffs and fly some fighters, LOL.

[WilldCrd]

well we got lotsa maps. some "in theory" could stay up a month by themselves maps are changed every friday around noonish CDT.
GV's are have many followers some are even "dedicated" GVers
lotsa furballs, alt monkeyes, whiners ect.
more planes than in 01 IIRC.


That all being said FYI: AH 2 is in final beta and due out REAL SOON <2 weeks inside joke> graficks are alot better, FM being changed gunnerry has been changed as well as several other things
My advice: D/L get some stick time and welcome back

[Leslie]

Hiya Degas!!!:)   Alabama here.  Been a long time between beers my friend.  I remember when you, Titanium and I would go on those long Lancaster flights to bomb HQ.  I think in those days we had trees close to the end of runways, and it was hard to clear em with bombers on takeoff.

Now we have formations, and the bomb sights require a certain amount of manual calibration.  There's also Me-163's at certain bases near HQ, that can up as fast interceptors.  Me-262's as well are available at all bases.

I think about the time you took a break from AH, they had just done away with the F3 view from gvs, and that took some adjusting to.  There are two new gvs, the M8 Greyhound and the Tiger tank.

Base capture involves leveling a small town near the base, and letting out troops for the map room located there.

I'm sure there's a lot I've not mentioned, but those are the main things I recall.  

Good to hear from you again mate.  Was wondering how you were doing.  Btw, my handle in the game is now LesterJ, so if you're in the MA and see me there, give a holler.

Take care.  




Les

[oboe]

Degas -

We have lots more planes to fly now, and the very best ones cost 'perk points' to fly.    You earn these points through success in air combat.

Voice comms are now integrated into the app, and its wonderful.  Two channels are supported: one tunable, and one 'room' channel.

You can 'squelch' channels and players.

There are generally 500+ people on a night.   Roughly 5% or so prefer the Combat Theater, which an Axis vs Allied arena set in a specific time/place in WWII with historically correct planesets and terrains.   It has more restrictive icon and radar settings in the attempt to be more realistic.   Its a great change of pace from the MA, but both can be fun.


and welcome back!

[Degas]

Thanks again, everyone.

And hey, hey, Bama!  Good to see you, old friend  We haven't been in touch in forever, lol.  I'll be sure to look you up!  I'm still trying to retrain myself in the TA right now, so it will be a day or two, heh.

!

edit:  oh, yeah.  My old account is still active, but can't get it reactivated because of faulty memory (can't remember the password, and the old email addy is history, lol).  For the time being, I'll be flying around in a n00b named Yonder