Heres how I would do it... (strictly voluntary of course)
Colonel Otto (Host) controls planning of missions for each country. He establishes missions plans for bombing, escort, JABO, recon, sweep, cap, intercept, etc. They are done on a timed basis, that is run every so many minutes. You go into the ready room and sign up for an open slot for a paticular mission. Mission details are given covering plan overview, waypoints, planes, load outs, other participants, intelligence data, etc.. Once your ssignned up, the host will send you a private message 5 minutes before OTR to report to final briefing, where you can see who other pilots are and establish wing assignments, comms, etc.
This way, no one sits around waiting. You can do solo fly till its time to RTB for final briefing. Final briefing is ready room environment with map board showing waypoints, altitudes, and flight leader assignments.
Other bonus is that since Colonel Otto is host, he has complete knowledge of all country actions. Therefore, a bombing mission by one country to field 5 is likely to generate an intercept mission request by the defending country's Colonel Otto. Of course the option could exist where someone can take the initiative to post there own missions to the planning board, for folks to sign up for.
Missions could a maximum and minimum number of participants, based upon type.
AAR review could tie points to achievement of mission objectives, number of losses/victories, etc. and make it a bit more immersive than the jump in your plane and go scenario.
I had posted this idea a couple of times moons ago to the WB community when Pyro was at the helm. Dunno if they ever reviewed it or not, but my guess is they have no interest in putting a framework around the MA, rather, leaving it to the masses to elevate it above a Quake fragfest. IMO if you just try to recreate WsB arena structure again, your going to be in a much tougher competetive position to win their player base, without having some differentiating gameplay advantage. Continuosly running Host generated Scenario Lights (to steal a term) are the way to go, I think. Heres hoping.
Thoughts, suggestions, thumbs down?
Lugnut
[This message has been edited by Lugnut (edited 10-18-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Lugnut (edited 10-18-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Lugnut (edited 10-18-1999).]