New features, new users, and my thoughts.

[aqhawasi]

I am not sure if this should go to the Wishlist section, or stay here; however, I just wanted to provide some of my thoughts on how to make this game more enjoyable for the new players, and what I think about the new patch.

I've noticed an influx of new players, and the reason I've noticed is because a) Find some guy flying in a straight line, get on his six, he wont move, shoot him down.  Repeat 4 times. b) Find the same guy, or similar, tries to evade, but since he/she cant fly, goes into an uncontrollable spin, dies. c) Starts shooting once i start shooting him, even when I am on his six o'clock. d) Starts shooting at me from 1500 yds out. e) combinations.
I would very much like this new people to succeed, but I think that to start off, the flight model would be a bit too much for them.  AW3 used to have a separate arena, sort of like the training Arena, but with "relaxed" flight model settings. The idea was that new people could go there to get some of the basics going, and then progress from there.  It definitely helped me out a lot, and was able to move to "Full Realism" within a matter of short weeks.  Also, unlike our TA, this arena was essentially a normal map, with combat situations going all around, so not only did it give new people a chance to get comfortable, you could also do so while shooting at real enemies.  Going to the TA to learn, when nobody else is flying is not very enticing.  Anyway, my point is, if HT wants to keep the new people playing this game longer and becoming long term loyal players, perhaps having a separate arena for them where they can engage in combat with people of similar skills (not full realism) until they are ready can go a long way. I know it did for me with AW3.  

Finally, regarding the new patch, I am surprised the graphics tax my system so much.  I have an NVidia 7900GTX, 256MB video RAM, 3GB system RAM, dual core AMD Athlon 4200, and had to drop back to 512 in order to eliminate some of the stuttering.  That said, dont think I've lost much visually.  I do like the new ack.  I think it is more realistic and encourages more team work and coordination.  Vulching has definitely decreased, which is a huge plus.  At least gives you a chance to get off the runway.

I wasnt around for very long before the MA became several arenas; however, I think it was a good idea.  Provides choice for some who would rather fly the older planes without thinking about 4 Las and 6 Nikis bouncing on your stuka/P40/... at one time.  Also provides a place for those who would enjoy smaller overall numbers, and still provides a place for those who like to fight in or against hordes, such as in at least one of the LW arenas.  The only thing I am not a big fan of, at least not yet, is that big square land-only map thingie.

Anyway, HT, if you read this, hope you provide those new users with a home where they can get some quick wins and not quit due to mere frustration of being bounced by a horde of more experience players at any time.  I think it could help retention (not even sure if you have retention problems, but hey).  On the new stuff, great job.  Really enjoy the game, wish the new graphs werent so taxing.

Regards,

peru

[Saxman]

The problem with a "Relaxed Realism" arena is that a SIGNIFICANT number of players would go there only to take advantage of the EZ mode settings to horde, vulch and cherrypick the newbies, and remove them from the regular arenas.

Then again, maybe that's NOT such a bad idea...

[aqhawasi]

Yes; however, I found that people flying the relaxed realism arena will be motivated enough to go and fly against the more experienced people and put their skills to the test.  Most newbies will not want to stay in that arena for long.  Everyone wants to play in the major leagues, no matter what they say.  Would you stay in the CFL if you could move to the NFL?

Regarding the people who would go to the relaxed realism arena to pick on people, I guess you cant really stop that.  AW3 had some sort of system and/or check to stop this, but I think it was mostly honor based.  Perhaps if your kills, etc. dont count towards your "official" score, it would deter most people from going there to vulch and cherry pick.  Seems like score drives the vulching, HOing, cherry picking crowd, but I wont go there since this post is not about that.

Peru

[jaxxo]

u have to understand that the acm skill level has diminished significantly over the past few years, mostly due to group play when engaging a con, most fights you will be jumped by more than one or you will be with a pack doing the same, a relaxed realism will only further seperate the widening gap of talent. imo

[aqhawasi]

Yes and No.  You will always get those players who are only desperate for kills, and can only do so while flying an ubber plane, with lots of friendlies around, and only a few enemies around so that their SA only goes as far as finding the next target they will be chasing with 5 other Las.  Then, you will also get those players who truly want to learn and master the art of flying one of these planes.  It would be good, for the whole of us, to retain those people.  The reality is, when you join the game, you are fired up, and you want to get on to the thick of it.  Shoot at something straight off the bat.  That is true with every new game, toy, car, woman, etc.  Then, as the initial excitement fades away, you want to get to know the finer details.  An area where you could go do this, would be fantastic.  The TA is not exactly enticing, as you can only follow a friendly or your shadow for so long before it becomes boring.  It would be nice to engage in combat.  So, even if it is still full realism, an arena where you could go and avoid people who are just hungry for kills to pad their scores, and/or take bases, would be nice.  you can do the whole lot, but things wouldnt register in your score.  Its like playing friendlies on international football (soccer for you americans).  At the moment, only the Early War arena almost achieves this goal.  Just a thought for consideration.

By the way, the new patch fixed my graphics issues.  I am back to 1024 with no problems. Full everything.  Downloaded the custom sound packs, and I am definitely enjoying the game... especially those times when I encounter decent pilots for one on ones.  How about bringing back FT?

Peru

[Clifra Jones]

A "Liberal" approach to AH is not the answer. Making things easier for people does not make them learn better. Recent history is rife with examples of this. New players will do one or more the the following

1. Invest the time and effort to become a better virtual pilot.

2. Find a form of game play that rewards them with a modicum of success, be it bombing, flying with a squad, GVing, etc. and become good at that.

3. Find the path of least resistance, always taking the easy way out. Never actually improving in anything.

No, the best thing we can do for new players is make it as hard as it should be. When they ask for help, offer it.

[Westy]

Good Cod ya'll
RR what's it good for?
Absolutely nothing...
Uh_huh

RR! It ain't nothing but a communitygreifer
RR! Friend only to the underachiever
RR! It's an enemy to all simkind
The thought of RR blows my mind



Ahhh.  Nothing like a good ole RR vs FR fight


Woot!

[icemaw]

There is a RR arena its called the training arena. Easy fly model option with stall limiter and reduced damage from ammo. PLUS trainers on hand to help you most of the time.

[Zazen13]

Originally posted by aqhawasi
Yes; however, I found that people flying the relaxed realism arena will be motivated enough to go and fly against the more experienced people and put their skills to the test.  Most newbies will not want to stay in that arena for long.  Everyone wants to play in the major leagues, no matter what they say.  Would you stay in the CFL if you could move to the NFL?


Peru

Actually as someone who played AW for over a decade I can tell you that is incorrect. The vast majority will play the easier version. AW-FR typically maxed out at 150 people or less. All of the RR arenas combined had more than 1500 on a given night (there were up to ten of them on gamestorm with individual populations 300+. The human compulsion to indulge in the often humbling experience of competeing against the best is far out-weighed by the human compulsion to take the easier path of least resistance and ego gratification.

Zazen

[Shuffler]

Playing putt putt is not ego enhancing.... in my book  

I have noticed many in the main arenas asking very basic, simple questions. Questions like "how do I raise my gear". Many want instant gratification in this microwave everything world. I don't see any way around it.

[crockett]

Well as a noob on his two week trial I can say there is a hell of a lot to learn. I wouldn't want to fly in some noob arena as I don't think it would be much fun.

IMO you learn faster by getting your butt kicked however it is a bit annoying to fly for 5-10 mins to the fight only to get downed as soon as you get there.  

I think something that would help us noobs with landing gear issues  and the other noobish stuff, was if there was a printable key function sheet.

I mean how the hell is a noob supposed to remember how to drop fuel tanks or do this and that while he's getting shot down every time he gets in the air? Most PC games have always come with a printed card that you could keep in easy accesses to figure out how to do something.

IMO that would help out a lot just to have something so simple.

[hitech]

Key Commands

http://www.hitechcreations.com/ahhelp/keycmds.html

HiTech

[crockett]

ok that was fast.. guess you were bored..




















j/k  thanks

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by crockett
IMO you learn faster by getting your butt kicked however it is a bit annoying to fly for 5-10 mins to the fight only to get downed as soon as you get there.    

Good for you, Crockett.

- oldman

[mussie]

Originally posted by hitech
Key Commands

http://www.hitechcreations.com/ahhelp/keycmds.html

HiTech

I always found this useful
Hammers AH Quick Ref

Link to Hammers Main Page