Schatzi I agree with you that 2 sides won't necessarily be balanced in the current AH configuration. But it is all the more true at this point that 3 sides are more often than not unbalanced in EW and MW.
ENY was/is a good tool for prolonging game play in large population arenas. There, when a team diminishes in numbers relative to the two others it is given advantages that help it recover so that it won't be quickly defeated. ENY does not regulate numbers per se, but only provides a small advantage to a numerically weaker country in order to keep the arena going.
On the other hand, for our current situation of low population arenas I think some other mechanisms are probably needed to balance sides more.
Here are some further ideas.
1) Modify the high-level GUI of the game so that country names can be changed by Hitech very easily. People have a natural "inertia" against change and if a person has flown 5 years as a Bishop, they probably aren't going to jump at changing sides. But if the game automatically changes country names, then no one can be stuck in their old "country." That might free more people up to willingly balance sides.
2) Change country names regularly, i.e. when arenas change.
3) Suggestions for alternative names: Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, Wolfpack, Tigers, Panthers, Lions, Sharks, Rebels, Mavericks, Jokers, Crows, Jaybirds, Hounds, Jackals, Predators, Headhunters, Hackers, HiJackers, Noobies, Dweebs, Robins, Bluebirds, Butterflies, Wannabees, Hasbeens, Deadbeats...
4) Set up a mechanism that automatically shuffles players like cards during resets, and deals out even sides to the countries.
5) Develop an algorithm that takes player proficiency into consideration during shuffling and dealing so that overall abilities in each country are relatively equal.
6) For those who need predictability in life, allow elements of 2, flights of 4, sections of 8, or squads of up to 12 players remain together in the same country even after shuffling, when numbers allow it. Otherwise, shuffle everyone and deal.
7) When numbers in an arena fall below a certain level, reset the arena and eliminate a country, change country names, shuffle and deal to two sides.
8) Walkons, after a reset, are automatically shunted to the country that needs another player.
9) If the walkon is designated in an element, flight, section or squad, the walkon will join them, if numbers permit.
I also agree that advertising will be a very good way to increase the player base. New players do require time to gain proficiency however, meaning their interest must be kept in AH II until they gain proficiency. So some automatic number balancing is probably still advisable for the near term.
While I personally like the AvA arena when there are sufficient numbers, it doesn't usually draw big crowds. It seems that a majority of AH players want their preferred ride over a preferred side.
Best Regards.
