Special Events

[Zanth]

I have no idea how this being handled.  I have no idea if it even is.  Special events are a disgrace.  I am not qualified to discern  
 the cause agent(s), but I have an idea.

I will further say that lack of interest in events should be a leading indicator of something.  This is all beyond my pay grade,   I don't see any need to embarss people with stats, even a blind man knows when he has fallen off his chair.

[nopoop]

Originally posted by Zanth
I will further say that lack of interest in events should be a leading indicator of something.  

That 90% of pilots enjoy special events 10% of the time. That ratio hasn,t changed much over the years.

That 10% of pilots that enjoy events 90% of the time don't understand that.

That ratio hasn't changed much either.

[Zanth]

if only even your ratio was met...

and it wasn't.

I never been much a member of the "becuase it has always been this way it will always be" camp.          Actually I encourage them to seek careers outside of the company.

[FiLtH]

Im curious the percentage of players that even peek at the forums to be aware of events. Many people seem to think the MA is THE GAME. To me the MA is like the waiting room...good events present far more realistic play.

   I think awareness of the events would improve attendance. Something that pops up, as you log in, to catch the eye of the player, to make him say"Hey..is that part of this game? That looks cool!" Rather than relying on forums that many dont even know exist.

[SuperDud]

Good idea Filth. It took me awhile to realize that events where held and that you actually had to sign up for some.

[doobs]

Just left the FSO had a blast, nothing like a one life event to improve your skills.

Coral Sea coming up and cant wait.

don't see the disgrace though, the people that organize it put in alot of there time into it, and imo do a fantastic job.

[SuperDud]

Yea from what I hear Coral Sea senario is gettin pretty big. I think they're having problems keeping squads together due to the participation.

[SilverFox]

Originally posted by SuperDud
Yea from what I hear Coral Sea senario is gettin pretty big. I think they're having problems keeping squads together due to the participation.

Just a note to this SuperDud.  It is going to be popular, but we only have 146 billets.  There was a finite number of planes at Coral Sea.
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Zanth.  I looked at the link and noticed its innominate's unofficial site.  The SEA stats showed several logs with my name on them.  But those are test logs and not an official event, which is why I wouldn't rely on the SEA stats on that page.  Unless you know who started the logs that day, there is no way to tell which event is which.  

Here is a better link: Official SEA Logs   Don't get me wrong.  I use inno's site too, just not for special events.

I'd have to agree with FiLtH.  Special events are more challenging, and provide greater immersion than the MA.   Its the immersion that separates the SEA and the MA.  A typical special event pits aircraft against each other that actually met in battle, and finding the enemy is more difficult than simply flying towards his base.  

But I would offer this as a suggestion.  Write up what you would like to see happen in a special event and send it to me.   SF  While I certainly can't promise it would be incorporated, I would include elements into ongoing discussions among the CMs.  I can say that we are interested in improving special events.

[Jackal1]

Originally posted by FiLtH
Something that pops up, as you log in, to catch the eye of the player, to make him say"Hey..is that part of this game? That looks cool!" Rather than relying on forums that many dont even know exist.

  Guards!!! Shoot this man at dawn. No more #@! %$#@ popups pleeeeeeaaaaassssseee! Hate the damn things. That and the fact that, upon entry, you are always sent to a base that has or is being totaly nuked. Have to wait for the crap to load, then go to another base to get a clean calibration.
 I think that those that don`t participate in events, myself included , have tryed them and thought they sucked or events is just not their bag. No amount of popups, hooraahing, etc is going to change that.
  For the most part, it`s the same with the BBS. Those that have spent any considerable time in the game have came to the BBS and either became a part of it or choose not to participate. Those who come to the game and never investigate the game or it`s resources enough to even know of the BBS will not be "stayers" anyway.

[FiLtH]

How about this Jackal...if you are the type that only flies MA and cares not about events, there could be a box to click "Do not show me events". That way you would never see it. But if you do want to be aware of these, then when a new event is in the schedule, it will show you the event details before launching you in game. Just a thought.

[Jackal1]

Yea, that would work as far as not being annoying.
  The thing is, you could hold a down home EVENT revival with tents and the whole smear, but your still not going to have converts from those not interested. In other words, it`s wasted effort that could be used on something else.
  Like I said above, the ones that might possibly be interested allready knows about the BBS and the events anyway. Those that don`t take the time and effort to look into the game they are playing are "Two Weekers" at best. Some don`t last that long.
  I think if you will reread Nopoops posts again and give it some thought you will find that he hit the nail on the head. It`s been this way with all combat flight sims going back to the early AW days.

[Octavius]

Please enlighten us Zanth.  We are mere mortals and cannot comprehend thoughts of the gods.

[daddog]

Jackal, Filth, I have always wanted a Events HTC mailing list. That would avoid the popups and people can take themselves on and off as they please.

I have no idea how this being handled. I have no idea if it even is. Special events are a disgrace. I am not qualified to discern
the cause agent(s), but I have an idea.

I will further say that lack of interest in events should be a leading indicator of something. This is all beyond my pay grade, I don't see any need to embarss people with stats, even a blind man knows when he has fallen off his chair.

Zanth. I am all ears, but not sure what you are talking about.  Since I am heading events right now you can blame me, but I would like to know what your problem is.

For what it is worth last Friday night we had about 215 in the Friday Squad Ops.  Unless I am mistaken, that is a record number of players for a weekly event.
------------------------
CO Head CM daddog
Squad Operations
332nd Flying Mongrels
332nd Roster
Special Events
Noses in the wind since 1997.
daddog@hitechcreations.com

Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.

John Adams, 180

[Jackal1]

Originally posted by daddog
Jackal, Filth, I have always wanted a Events HTC mailing list. That would avoid the popups and people can take themselves on and off as they please.
 

Very good idea. Good luck.

[68falcon]

Zanth,

Special Events are not for everyone and where never meant to be. There are different events attempting to provide different levels of immerision and play. Snapshots are for walkons and attempt to add reality to 2 hours of play. They use a battle or try to recreate some note worthy event that happened during WWII. There are multiple frames so that being killed in the beginning gives you an oppurtunity to fight once again. Multiple lives are now being incorporated due to the new CM tools. But it is just that a 2 hour event, with a little more of reality then the MA

Squad Ops brings this to the next higher level where there is only one life and registration is required. The design of this event causes multiple squad cooperation and joint tactics. All squad COs get there chance at planning and executing offensive and defensive tactics. Yes it is a one life event but there are guns to man on the ground, in ships and on bombers if you so chose.

Then the top of the list is Scenarios. Registartion is needed to keep the sides and planes balanced. This event does attempt to recreate major battles that are well known by laying down the ground rules for the event but not inhibiting the opposing side COs from formulating their own means of accomplishing the mission. There are hours and hours of planning that goes into these events both by the designers, and the players.

With all that, there will be those that find something to complain about or no event to their liking

Constructive criticisim is always welcome. As a matter of fact player designed events are becoming more of the norm now then ever before. So if you see something and you feel it needs fixing try suggesting a logical and well thought out repair.