Observe, the typical MA
Typical MA
I am in the country
A.
80% of our forces are 'stationed' at the battling fronts between A and B, the
A-B front. While at still a few bases the
B present a serious resistance, in most of the total A-B front our forces greatly outnumber the B. We have more than 2 to 1 numbers advantage in our favor.
However, at the opposite front of A-C, the forces of
C are marching all aover our lands. Only 20% of our total forces are here. About 60% of entire C force is located at A-C, in which we of the A, must face 3 against 1 odds disadvantaged.
The forces of C are a bit better balanced, 60% at A-C front, 40% at B-C front. However, the forces of B at B-C are 70%, which is almost 2 to 1 in favor for the B against the C. For the C, it is a tough battle to hold the lines.
The same holds true for B. 30% of the people must face 80% of A at the A-B front. While at the B-C front, it is a relatively easier game.
I have just logged on as A. What should I do? Should I go to the A-B front? So many friendlies are nearby. It'd be a miracle to find even a single plane to fight against. I'll be mostly facing buildings. There are still some 'toughspots' with relatively higher number of B in solemn defense, but even still they'd be pretty much easy pickings with so many friendlies nearby.
Then should I go to the A-C front? To my certain, constant death? No matter how I ask for help, people fall deaf ears. Only a few people will ever respond to the urgent need to push back the C at the A-C front. The chances are, if I go there, I'd be spending my rest of couple of hours in continuous frustration, bearing a grudge against my own countrymen, bitter and sour.
People say to me,
"go whereever you want, and have fun". Except, there is no place I can ever go to have fun. Vulch or be vulched. Horde or be horded.
...
For years, since the great population boom in the MA, we've been thinking that these conditions are only temporary. Soon people will move fronts, shift positions, and balance the lines out. However, most of us have come to realize that it was nothing more than a naive fantasy. Like some have said, people take the path of least resistance. Given a choice, they will always choose an easier path.
These conditions will persist in the arena, right up to the end. People hoped that a larger map will stop the problem by spreading people apart.
However, in the end, the only thing the large maps have done, is to help people ease a bit of steam. Since the maps are so large, rarely will a side ever reach an indisputable reset. They can ignore this condition for days, and then just put up with a last minute defense, and the promised one-week term would end, and the map would rotate to something else.
These conditions persist, until a certain side somehow manages to have so much people logged on, that they have enough people to set up a defense at one front, and still barge through the other to the total reset.
Does it always have to be like this? Freedom is an important thing, and many people just simply frown at the idea of 'control' or 'regulations' or 'systems'. However, can there not be implemented some basic structure to the MA, so that at least some of the most extreme and undesirable effects that such freedom can cause, can be avoided?
Airforces
Extending from that though, I present the 'airforces' idea. The basic concept of the MA remains the same.
However, you will notice that the three countries, "A", "B", and "C", are again each divided into two parts.
A, is divided into two airforces, A1 and A2. B, is divided into B1 and B2. C is also the same, C1 and C2.
With each new logon, a player will be placed into one of the two airforces, which is lower in numbers. The goal of this system, is to split the total manpower a side can boast, into two independant sections of airforces.
For instance, A1 and A2 will each have 50% of total numbers country A has. Pilots stationed at airforce A1, will be able to takeoff from any of the fields which A1 controls. Pilots of A2, will take off from any of the fields A2 control.
However, A1 and A2 are two different airforces belonging to the same country "A". Pilots of A1 will not be able to take off from a base under A2 control, and vice versa. A1 is its own zone(or consisted of many zones), with separate strat objects from A2. A destroyed strat object under A1 control, will not effect A2. The only common object A1 and A2 share, will be the HQ which enables radar.
These conditions are same for all of the airforces in the countries.
A1 will usually be fighting against B2. A2 against C1. C2 against B1.
However, this does not mean that the basic tactics will be always the same. A1 and A2 have the largest chance of joint operations in the middle of the terrain, "Furball Island". This holds the same for C1+C2, and B1+B2. So, if A1+A2 joint operations hit the furball isle, other countries are within the range to retaliate.
Any new fields a certain airforce captures, will be under its direct control. A certain segment of A1 can launch from the furball Island, start conquests toward the south and gain fields there, which will again allow A1 forces to join up with A2 and gang up on C1, if it is truly what they wish. However, in order to do that, they must first go through the C1 and C2 forces which also might be operating out of furball isle, to gain foothold into C1, to create a 'horde'.
If for any reason, a pilot at A1 desires to be transferred to A2, he will goto the HQ, which will have a 'swapping room'. A simple radio announcement that he wishes to trade places with someone at A2, goto the HQ and wait until someone in A2 also wishes to swap places appears.
This system, despite what it looks, essentially offers the same things as the current MA. Nothing which is possible currently, will be impossible in the "airforces" idea.
The only difference is people are always at least minutely structured, divided into two operating zones. One can belong to only one zone of operation per given time. If he wishes to "leave post", he must find a replacement from the otherside, so the balance of the two fronts always remain persistent.
One can still do large operations, or create hordes and go attack a single zone. But unlike how it is now, if creation of a horde is truly what they desire, they will have to work for it - first gain the bases needed to go into joint operations with the other airforce.
People won't be allowed to just go run off into the path of least resistance. Unless the MA numbers itself is totally unbalanced(like, 200 : 120 : 100 people) any person stationed with a certain airforce, will always face simular numbers in the opposition. Any enemy or friendly horde which might be created at that front, will be using only limited resources. And being stationed at a front without free access to the other front (at least, until someone to swap places comes about), will essentially simulate the imbuing of the personnel stationed at that one airforce with clear responsibilities in that front.
The only thing that is "prohibited" in this new scheme is "cowardice" in a strategical sense. Everything else is the same. There is no reason to leave one's post, because the odds aren't particularly any better or worse in the other front.
All the fronts will be balanced in numbers, with its own airforce to claim responsibility for. You can't blame anyone else, or rest of the countrymen for the failures in your front now. You are in the X airforce fighting strictly against one of the two enemy countries.
Simular numbers stationed at both sides of the front, simular assets. Only the side with better tactics and strategy will ever be able to break through the other's lines. There is no relying on huge numbers of steamrollers now. Your country may have the overall numbers advantage, but it will not instantly become an unstoppable asset for you. Just creating a huge swarm at the expense of giving up defenses on the other side, is not allowed. Even if you have 30 men advantage over other countries, they will be divided into two, which will leave 15 men advantage at the actual front.
And if, none of the two countries fighting at a single front will be able to break through and gain real territory, well that's not bad either.
There's at least gonna be some sort of fight which one can actually enjoy fighting in(!).
