Dedicated Training Base in Each Country

[hacksaw1]

I suggest putting a dedicated, indestructible training base near the capital of each country in each arena (EW, MW, LW) to allow veteran flyers help new subscribers learn AH II while in the MMOG environment.

It is apparent in several threads of late that HT is very concerned with "unhealthy" group dynamics, especially as it negatively impacts potential new subscribers. You have to admit that lots of rude, crude "MA" behavior has been often directed at the less informed, like these mild examples:

Question: "How do I start my engine?"
Answer: "Press Alt F4"

Question: "Do the wings of the F4U fold?"
Answer: "Sure. If you want to see it, spawn on the carrier deck, then press Alt F4"

Question: "How do I fire rockets?"
Answer: "Press Backspace to select, then fire by pressing Alt F4"

Text buffer answers to newbie questions devolve to "Go to the Training Arena!" sometimes as a polite suggestion, often as a caustic "go away kid, you bother me" put-down.

Brand new subscribers looking for an air war MMOG don't want to be sent to a sparsely populated leper colony, but have surely felt unwelcome to AH with acerbic MA answers to their questions. Veteran flyers in the middle of their fix don't want to leave the arena with the "action" just to help a poor lost newb.

So...

1)   Add a dedicated, indestructible training base in each country in each arena, back in the back, near the capital.
2)   Develop a dedicated two seat trainer (AT-6 how 'bout) only accessible at the training base that both the newb and veteran can fly simultaneously to provide as stimulating an environment as possible for very basic training and chat.
3)   Grant new subscribers access to training bases for a limited time, say 3 months.
4)   Grant veteran flyers approved by HT access to training bases as instructors.
5)   Award perk points per task to newbies who complete a basic syllabus of flying in AH II.
6)   Award perk points per flight to veteran flyers that help out newbies at the training base.
7)   Let the training plane be vulnerable to both damage and shoot-down to encourage SA in the newbie.
8)   Make shooting down a training plane a mildly negative perk to discourage but not prevent shoot-downs.
9)   Let other planes be available at the training base in very limited numbers, and with only 25% fuel, no drop tanks, minimum ord selection and minimum armament.

This arrangement would not force anyone to train or be trained but it would encourage training.

Instead of veterans telling a newb, "go to the Training Arena" they might be more apt to say, "come with me to the Training Base."

Newbies would likely feel more welcome to AH II knowing there are training bases in well-populated, active MMOG arenas.

Both veteran and newb remain in the MMOG atmosphere but with enough isolation to promote training.

Approved veterans of any country in any arena become potential training resources.

The idea of courteous training for new subscribers is reinforced to ALL AH subscribers.

Seems to me that veteran flyers would be willing to pop over to a training base for a few minutes to help a new subscriber as long as they could remain in the arena where the "action" is and can keep tabs on what their friends, squad or country may be doing.

[Major Biggles]

what you speak of already exists! the training arena!

too many people are too lazy to come by.

[47Hooker]

That is an excellent idea.  I've only been here a couple of months and am doing alright now, but learned from my mistakes, by watching others and by getting sent down in pieces.

It seems that any time one asks a question on this board, you seldom get a professional response.  You immediately get some smart-*** remark or someone will start squirting tears because you did not search it first.  Some folks just don't get the fact that even though similar posts have been made in the past, it may not answer their exact question.

I suggest, along with the secure field, a section in this forum that is restriced to being answered by a select few who can provide a mature, professional response as opposed to what we see here alot.  Crying and yelling.  I get enough of that out of my son.

And yes, a training area in the active war arena would allow the trainee to observe battles from the tower at each field, watch communications and movements as well as observe tactics.  These little field trips could be part of an actual training course outline.

Think about it.......back in the day, did they just throw some poor boot in cockpit and say "the fight's that way", pull his chocks and walk off?

[Schatzi]

Originally posted by 47Hooker
That is an excellent idea.  I've only been here a couple of months and am doing alright now, but learned from my mistakes, by watching others and by getting sent down in pieces.

It seems that any time one asks a question on this board, you seldom get a professional response.  You immediately get some smart-*** remark or someone will start squirting tears because you did not search it first.  Some folks just don't get the fact that even though similar posts have been made in the past, it may not answer their exact question.

I suggest, along with the secure field, a section in this forum that is restriced to being answered by a select few who can provide a mature, professional response as opposed to what we see here alot.  Crying and yelling.  I get enough of that out of my son.

And yes, a training area in the active war arena would allow the trainee to observe battles from the tower at each field, watch communications and movements as well as observe tactics.  These little field trips could be part of an actual training course outline.

Think about it.......back in the day, did they just throw some poor boot in cockpit and say "the fight's that way", pull his chocks and walk off?

All that you remark there is available already - for free. To those that ask, AH offers a wealth of training possibilities.

We have a Help and Training Forum where any questions will be answered.  Either personally or with a link that will provide an answer. I rarely see someone get flamed there, on the contrary.

In the Main Arenas theres a "Help Channel" available (the orange one). Yes i know its used by some 12 year olds to "coordinate" their "missions"... but if you ask a question on it, chances are high you get a serious answer.

We have a Training Arena where you can go to and ask for pointers. Trainers and lots of longtime Vets will gladly help you out in there. All you need to do is ASK.
You can ask the Trainer Corps for scheduled training session, if you prefer that. Contact us through our homepage http://trainers.hitechcreations.com or per email to trainers@hitechcreations.com - make sure you include gameID and times you are available (time zone!).

Any time you see me online, never hesitate to ask to wing/ride along with me.

[hacksaw1]

Originally posted by Major Biggles
what you speak of already exists! the training arena!

too many people are too lazy to come by.

You must have not read my suggestion very carefully.

Before the arena change it was 10 or so people in the TA vs. 300-500 people or more in the MA. Where would anyone who wants to fly in an MMOG want to go?

Even now, newbies look at 10 or less people in the TA, and 100-200 or more in the LW arena. Where will they want to go?

I just looked at the arena populations and there were ZERO people in the TA, but there were people in other arenas, notably the LW.

Yes there are quite a few training opportunities available, and among the trainers Schatzi deserves a mega . But that still does not stop reqular questions in MA-like arenas such as, "How do I start my engine."

So why not build into the game structure a fairly secure place in well populated arenas to train brand new, know-nothing newbies?

Why not?

[Schatzi]

Originally posted by hacksaw1

So why not build into the game structure a fairly secure place in well populated arenas to train brand new, know-nothing newbies?

Why not?

Help channel. Its the channel players talk on by default settings (ie just clicking on RADIO on the clipboard, without having tuned any channel).


The problem with a training base in the MA is simple. Damage/Killshooter. The first thing a newbie usually wants to do is get in the air and shoot something.

Besides, do you think the players answering a question with "go to TA" or "ALT F4" will help any more when theres a "training base"? Or that new players will go there more then to the TA?

The problem is not that there are no tools. THe problem is, that it needs effort - on both sides. Effort to ask, and effort to answer. Some people dont make that effort, some do.

[hacksaw1]

Originally posted by Schatzi


...........
The problem with a training base in the MA is simple. Damage/Killshooter. The first thing a newbie usually wants to do is get in the air and shoot something.

Besides, do you think the players answering a question with "go to TA" or "ALT F4" will help any more when theres a "training base"? Or that new players will go there more then to the TA?

The problem is not that there are no tools. THe problem is, that it needs effort - on both sides. Effort to ask, and effort to answer. Some people dont make that effort, some do.

Schatzi, when a newbie finally learns how to start his engine and wants to start shooting, then they can easily move to a different base right there in the same arena.

Once or twice I've suggested to newbies asking the very basic questions that they go to the TA, and I've taken a newbie to the TA. Kind of a hassle. A training base in the same arena would be easier for both newb and veteran to move to and give the newb extended personal help on room channel, and still be able to keep an eye on what is happening in the arena.

Lots of newbs are drawn to an arena with massive numbers like a moth to fire. The TA cannot compete with other arenas when it comes to numbers. So, bring a little of the TA into the other arenas. One base.

You are right about effort on both sides. Anyone who wants to learn AH II will be expending a lot of effort. I'm only suggesting that the outlay of effort be minimized as much as possible.

[BugsBunny]

 Alt-F4 has nothing to do with the game.  Its a Windows thing.  Guess what! You can only fall for it once (if you do).  See it as  something funny, have a laugh, and have fun.

If you get pissed or keep falling for that, well, then, you deserved it

[Schatzi]

Originally posted by BugsBunny
 Alt-F4 has nothing to do with the game.  Its a Windows thing.  Guess what! You can only fall for it once (if you do).  See it as  something funny, have a laugh, and have fun.

On help channel and in TA its not funny, its rude and unnecessary.

Otherwise, i personally dont consider it funny either, but to each his own i guess.

[Major Biggles]

lol hacksaw, if people are clueless enough to ask how to start their engine, they will have no idea how to get to this silly little training base. why would anyone go there? sorry, i dont want to be mean, but it's a really stupid idea.

the TA is there and so is the help and training forum.

[BugsBunny]

Originally posted by Schatzi
On help channel and in TA its not funny, its rude and unnecessary.

Otherwise, i personally dont consider it funny either, but to each his own i guess.

Ohhhh stop it.  Every community plays pranks on new members.  If you own a computer and dont know what Alt-F4 does, you just got edumacated
Really, its not the worst thing that happens in here. Wait till those guys meet some of the trainers in the MA.  Now, that is rude and unnecessary.

BTW.  ALT-F4 will auto reply with a nice sweet PC message to all posts.  Try it

[Hap]

Great idea!

Regards,

hap

[FLS]

Originally posted by hacksaw1
You must have not read my suggestion very carefully.

Before the arena change it was 10 or so people in the TA vs. 300-500 people or more in the MA. Where would anyone who wants to fly in an MMOG want to go?

Because the training area is where they will find help.

Even now, newbies look at 10 or less people in the TA, and 100-200 or more in the LW arena. Where will they want to go?

The 100-200 people in LW are probably busy playing AH2. Some of the 10 in the TA are there to help newbies.

I just looked at the arena populations and there were ZERO people in the TA, but there were people in other arenas, notably the LW.

You can always volunteer your time to cover the TA when nobody else is there.

Yes there are quite a few training opportunities available, and among the trainers Schatzi deserves a mega . But that still does not stop reqular questions in MA-like arenas such as, "How do I start my engine."

The best answer to this is always "go to the training arena" because after they start their engines they still won't be ready to do anything in a main arena.

So why not build into the game structure a fairly secure place in well populated arenas to train brand new, know-nothing newbies?

Why not?

Because they are better off going to the TA.

2) Develop a dedicated two seat trainer (AT-6 how 'bout) only accessible at the training base that both the newb and veteran can fly simultaneously to provide as stimulating an environment as possible for very basic training and chat.

I don't think that you appreciate the difficulties involved in having aircraft that people can control from two different accounts.

The fact that some newbies would like to jump right in and start shooting people down simply means that they have unrealistic expectations.

[FX1]

With the changes i have been into the TA many times in the last couple of weeks. I have asked if any newb would like some tips and most dont really care. I would like to help but when they have a area that is on a different server its hard for me to pop around.

I like the idea

[Traveler]

I made this suggestion in the wishlist forum.  That a Boot CAMP , required training be included in the original download and that new players would be required to complete the boot camp prior to being given access to the two week trial period.

The Boot CAmp would show them how to set up the stick or mouse and views.  teach them what button does what , how to load weapons on an aircraft. How to select weapons when in the aircraft.  All the basic stuff.