oh where oh where have the big maps gone

[skev]

is there a reason why all the bigger maps have gone away?

I belong to a small squad of guys who every once in a while like to accomplish thing toghter large maps give us upportunities for this

small maps are nothing but furballs (have nothing agianst them I enjoy a good massive fight once in a while)

wouldnt mind seeing a bigger map soon

just one mans opinion doesnt mean it the right one

[NoBaddy]

The big maps will be converted eventually. There a couple of problems with converting them. First, the average number of fields on a small map is 60. The big ones average 250. Just in case you haven't noticed, a lot of things changed with the fields and this as to be adjusted (sometimes by 'hand').

Second, the only big map that does not use 'non-standard' shape groups is AKDesert. Odds are good, for this reason, that it will be the first converted (because it can be done more quickly). I happen to know that someone is working to convert Big Isles. Trinity should also be fairly easy (the only 'non-standard' shape group in Trinity is TankTown). Fester's last map will most likely be the last converted because it uses tons of non-standard stuff, all of which will have to be edited out before it can be converted.

Now, keep in mind that there is a problem for many folks right now with CTDs and screen stutters. Add to that the fact that coding of the TE is not complete......and you should start to see that maps are currently a low priority at HTC. Be patient .

[Zazen13]

Originally posted by NoBaddy
I happen to know that someone is working to convert Big Isles.

Wasn't Big Isles removed from the rotation for playability reasons?

[NoBaddy]

Originally posted by Zazen13
Wasn't Big Isles removed from the rotation for playability reasons?

That is my understanding. One would assume that those issues would be dealt with.

[Overlag]

Originally posted by NoBaddy
Second, the only big map that does not use 'non-standard' shape groups is AKDesert. Odds are good, for this reason, that it will be the first converted (because it can be done more quickly).  

if pizza is the first big map converted to AHII i might take my money to WWIIOL...........

HATE THAT MAP

[Zazen13]

Originally posted by Overlag
if pizza is the first big map converted to AHII i might take my money to WWIIOL...........

HATE THAT MAP

Pizza map isn't even suitable to line my budgie cage with. Much less devote my free-time to play on.

[phookat]

Originally posted by skev
small maps are nothing but furballs

I don't know why people keep saying this.  It is completely false.  In any small map, 90% of my engagements are 5v5 or less, usually less.  Sure you can join the big furball if you want, but there are ALWAYS several alternate small fights going on.  Take a look at the darbar, there are people everywhere.  There are also always several empty bases for you to milkrun on, if that is your style.

I'll admit that it is more likely for opposition to quickly scramble previously empty bases on small maps, but that should be considered a BENEFIT for both attacker and defender.  Aren't we here to fight human opposition?  The only thing possibly missing from small maps is the ability to easily milkrun a base.

I generally try to find fights which are not gangbangs one way or the other--I can always find something on small maps.  Bigger maps, OTOH...I consider myself very lucky if I find anything OTHER than gangbangs (both from my side and the other).  On maps like Pizza, the map is almost always a bunch of monocolor blobs scattered over the map, traveling between empty bases.  Sure you see that on small maps too--gangbangers will be gangbangers regardless of map.  Difference is, on the smaller maps you can easily find alternatives.  If you avoid the gangs on bigger maps you end up flying around for ages, only occasionally finding something.  Or you wait for a carrier to approach a base, thereby simulating a small map and allowing some fun for a short period of time.

[kevykev56]

90% of my engagements are 5v5 or less, usually less. Sure you can join the big furball if you want, but there are ALWAYS several alternate small fights going on.

Difference is, on the smaller maps you can easily find alternatives. If you avoid the gangs on bigger maps you end up flying around for ages, only occasionally finding something.

I dont understand how you can say that the big maps makes it harder to find fights. Maybe if your playing in the mornings when there arent many people online. If you log on during primetime there are lots of small 5v5 fights everywhere. It spreads out the front lines and makes the furballs smaller, not larger.

I dont see any increase in time to find a fight. I am just able to find fights without having to dive into 30v30. SA is impossible in a furball of that size and to avoid them in the small maps is almost as impossible.

In the large maps it IMHO is more fun with things being more spread out.  As always we need more diversity, and I know its coming. We all just need to be patient. I know I played for years on the same map in AW and never complained. We are all just a bit spoiled I think.

RHIN0

[J_A_B]

All of our maps are big.

Get out a road map, draw a circle with a 125 mile radius around your house, then try to tell yourself "this is too small for 500 people" while keeping a straight face.


The 512-size maps are completely insane for the numbers AH has.




J_A_B

[NoBaddy]

Originally posted by J_A_B
All of our maps are big.

Get out a road map, draw a circle with a 125 mile radius around your house, then try to tell yourself "this is too small for 500 people" while keeping a straight face.


The 512-size maps are completely insane for the numbers AH has.




J_A_B

Actually, if you stop and think about it.......125 miles might sound big for 500 folks walking or driving cars...but, not those flying in planes at 250 to 300 mph .

[J_A_B]

I dunno, even with 500 players online most of a 256 map is pretty empty.  Sure there's action in the middle, but the fringes are still fairly deserted.

Mindanao is the only one which IMO really approaches a "high" player concentration and that can't really be called a 256 map since much of the space is waste.

J_A_B

[kevykev56]

Get out a road map, draw a circle with a 125 mile radius around your house, then try to tell yourself "this is too small for 500 people" while keeping a straight face.

<---------straight face.........."This is too small for 500 people"


125 miles at 400mph=18.75minutes X 2 = 37.5minutes......yes that is small considering there are 60 fields in that space.

Diversity is needed. Just like we had in AH1. Not everyone liked pizza, but hey there was always a change coming on Friday!


RHIN0

[J_A_B]

I am getting the idea that numer of fields/numer of "fight corridors" is more of a problem than physical size of the map.  I will agree that on some maps there is a shortage of bases and base layout could be improved.  This can be done without increasing the physical size of the maps.  


Honestly now, how often does anyone fly more than 50-70 miles from the base they took off from?    Usually it's much less than that.   THAT is what matters--local conditions in any given 50 or so mile area of airspace.  

I've made attempts to utilize the terrain editor in the past but lets just say my artistic skills are horrible.  I guess, in the end, my point is moot since HTC has said they will not accept new 256-size maps.  



J_A_B

[phookat]

Originally posted by kevykev56
I dont understand how you can say that the big maps makes it harder to find fights. Maybe if your playing in the mornings when there arent many people online. If you log on during primetime there are lots of small 5v5 fights everywhere.

Nonsense.  I play USPT.  On maps like Pizza and BI, you have to fly forever to get anywhere, and by the time you get there the fight's over (if there was any to begin with).  Look at the dot dars and the darbars.  The only way to find any action is to either join a gangbang or to up at a vulched field.

It's not the size of the map, it's the distance between bases.  As soon as a carrier approaches a base on BI, suddenly there is a fight.  Only a single furball, but that's better than nothing at all.  Then the carrier leaves or gets sunk, and it's back to long periods of emptiness.

Originally posted by kevykev56
I dont see any increase in time to find a fight. I am just able to find fights without having to dive into 30v30.

This statement is both untrue and logically flawed.  If bases are far apart, it takes longer to get places.  And the bigger the volume, the less likely that particles will hit each other.  You see a smaller non-horde bardar and take off, but by the time you get there, the enemy has already landed because no one showed up.  Things just take too long, and a critical mass doesn't have time to form.  Now you fly to another base, maybe find a con, and then auger cause now your're out of fuel.

Here's a suggestion for small maps.  Try going somewhere other than the furball, where the bardars are smaller.  You'll *always* find a small fight.

Originally posted by kevykev56
SA is impossible in a furball of that size and to avoid them in the small maps is almost as impossible.

Bull.  Lack of skill doesn't imply that skill doesn't exist.  I'm not a great pilot either, but there are plenty of folks who have the SA to kill and survive in that environment.

And if you honestly can't find anything but the big furball in small maps, then you haven't tried looking in other places.

[MetaTron]

One thing the big maps have is lots of fleets. Fleets make good fights, like it or not. Putting a fleet on the bottom is always a bad thing for fights.

If you want fights don't sink fleets, and bring on big maps!