It's a shame that a potential new member of the community is not enjoying the experience. Most everyone in this gaming community is glad to see new players join the ranks...we need each other to have any fun. However...walking in the door and berating everything in sight is probably not going to win you any assistance at all. We all, mostly, really enjoy the game, and have been with it for some years. So...here's a little advice to help you enjoy your time, while not leaving a really bad impression on everyone around;
1) Stop the ranting, and start learning.
2) The raw basics are explained in the help.
3) Read the outside tutorials that are available...who cares what the source? Read everything on netaces.org 3 times, minimum, and you'll begin to understand. Then start reading some more. Aircraft evaluations, comparisons, diaries of real combat pilots, some history, some work on ACM theory and practice, etc...
4) The game is a simulation of flight and of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat (among a few other things). These are inherently complex topics, with tremendously detailed lore, and will necessarily require some effort to actually learn what is going on. If you are getting shot down, I wouldn't blame the equipment...learn to do better. Many of us have been in here for quite some time, and getting shot down (a lot) is the nature of the beast.
5) This is no longer shooting at AI computer-controlled opponents. One of the most shocking realizations is that people are a LOT smarter and more talented than an AI.
6) The tutorial you so stridently demand already exists...we call it the Training Arena. Much better than a simple-minded, scripted tutorial...you'll find a huge arena, some set ground-rules, and a community of designated trainers who VOLUNTEER to help new players become familiar with the intricacies of the game. People in here will HELP you learn the things you'll need to know. Trust me...a 15 minuted scripted tutorial doesn't exist because it would be worthless...this game just isn't that simple.
7) Easy to learn...hard to master. It's supposed to take time to get better and better, or you'd bore yourself right out of the game in a matter of weeks. This isn't a "$50 bucks for 20 hours" off the shelf box game. Many like a game with a real learning curve...gives the game ongoing interest.
8) Read the rest of the BBS...like the part called Help & Training.
9) Nobody wonders why we have 300 people in a night...a busy night is 500. Who cares? It only takes one to give me a target...
10) If a 47 out-turned your spit...you let him do it. You let him get on top of you while you were at an energy disadvantage. He maintained e, set up his angles correctly, waited for his shot, then took it. It's technique...not equipment. Dogfighting just ain't simple, bro.
Really...there is a lot to enjoy about this game, but you have to enjoy what it offers. If you prefer an arcade or console experience, this won't do it. If you like something that's a challenge, that requires some practice to get any good at, then you'll love this thing. You'll also find that help is available for the asking...if you ask better. If you've been frustrated by the responses you get asking basic questions in the Main Arena, it's just because it's not the right place for it. spend time in the TA, tune your radio to the Help channel, and start taking notes.
You might find you end up just as addicted as the rest of us. Lots of good advice posted already, see?
Best of Luck!
