Fundamentally the big difference between the CT and the MA is the limited/historical match plane sets. There are a few other smaller differences by design such as maps and settings. As a byproduct, the CT usually has much smaller numbers, smaller furballs, and more one on ones, one on twos, etc. Many also argue that the atmosphere is (or used to be) more civil and that players display higher etiquette. Some claim that the average skill level in the CT is also higher than the MA.
The only thing that is for sure is that opinions about the CT vary… greatly.
Most of us have an idea of what would make the CT ideal. Many of us can find several players with whom we agree with on a few things and others whom we disagree with.
I have been playing this game since it opened in beta about six years ago; before AH I played Warbirds for a few years. In my years of flight simming, there has been one trend that stands out nearly every time I play. Most of the fighting gravitates to the closest enemy bases. Suppose that there are 10 frontline bases. Nine are between 20 and 30 miles from the nearest enemy base. The 10th one is only 15 miles from the nearest enemy base. Most of the fighting will occur at the closer base until the fighter hangers drop or one base becomes so heavily capped and vulched that most players find little point in upping. Being mobile fields, CVs also draw a big fight when they near an enemy base.
What does this tell us (or suggest) about the nature of online flight simmers: They prefer action to “shuttling” their planes to the fight. Let’s face it; flying to an enemy base is boring. Personally, I’m usually climbing on auto-pilot during this time. Simultaneously I’m surfing, talking to my wife or kids, watching TV, taking a wiz, or being amused by the text buffer while flying to an enemy base. I have the most fun when CVs are involved or bases are very close and promote non-stop action. IMHO, when a base gets captured on Malta, the best and most intense fighting occurs. From the second you spawn to the second you die, the fighting and action on Malta is non stop. CVs often produce the same intensity. I pretty much never quit out of boredom when these situations arise. This is the one situation where I’ll stay up to 2:00 A.M. and not even feel tired. This is what I seek above all else; not a moment of boredom. I know that this is just my opinion, but if you watch the maps where bases are close, or CVs are involved, you will see that many others also seek close fighting.
What’s the point of this thread?
I would like to see a new map with very close bases. I’ve been thinking about building such a map for many years now, but just have not done it. “I’m not even sure that HTC would approve what I have in mind. Here is what I’ve envisioned for base distances, as an intro to this concept. The following numbers represent the distance between bases in a string, letters are base names: A 15 B 12 C 9 D 6 E 6 F 9 G 12 H 15 I 12 J 9 K 6 (and so on).
Lately, when I’ve logged on to the CT, I’ve just stared at the map for a few minutes. I just can’t bring myself to fly 25 or more miles to find a fight. I’ll usually switch sides to look at the fight from the other side; and I just can’t bring myself to climb to 10K to intercept a con who is still 5K+ above me.
For the past three weeks or so I’ve been flying in the MA and I’ve found a lot of action per hour. Even though great one on ones are rare in the MA, and I’m shooting at US and Brit planes in my hog, I’ve been having a lot of fun.
I don’t know why HTC insists on 25 mile separation between bases on MA maps. I’m sure that they have thought it out and have valid reasons, but personally I think it is their only big mistake. Many players would prefer closer furball supporting bases. I don’t think that they would try a close base map in the MA, but it might fly in the CT. It would also draw MA furballers who are not dedicated to only one plane type.
This thread is a plea.
Can someone make a close base map?
Would the CT CMs run it?
Would the CTers fly it?
eskimo
