the Main Arena - more realism!

[halcyon]

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I love this game.
It's one of the most realistic WW2 flight sims I've played. There is much balance in how all the aircraft perform and flight mechanics (aside from maybe some flaps issues I have with B-17's......).
However, there is a balance issue with the main arena...the free-for-all.

I know some people like FFA style of play, and that's cool, but I don't see Aces High 2 as being branded a "FFA" style game.
You (the HiTech team) have assembled a sim so realistic that even carborated planes such as the Spit I lose their engine if you dive too hard. But, your main focus seems to now be the main arena, or all 4 of them I should say.
That focus is becoming the FFA style of play. Every time I log on the late war arenas are the most populated, while there might be 20-40 in the mid and early war arenas.
And of course, the reason why the late war is always populated more is because people always want to fly the latest and greatest aircraft. That's fine really, I don't have a problem with that. What I am tired of though is constantly going up against LA7's, Typhoons, P-51's, N1Ks....all at once. There's no seperation or limitation of what kind of aircraft your country can fly.
Fockewulf 190's flying next to B-17 bombers? Zeros flying cover for P-47D-40s?
Is this really balance? Is this what you guys at HiTech really intended the game to be all about?

I know there are Axis vs Allies and Special Events arenas, and trust me I prefer those arenas at least 100x over the dreaded 'MA' any day of the week.
The problem is that not enough people want to play on Axis 'n Allies, and there are only so many special events in a week.
When I get home from work after a long day, I want to be able to take American aircraft up against German or Japanese aircraft...not other American aircraft. I want to be able to fly 109F-4s against some F4U-1As, not against C202s or Ju87s.

I know this is getting long so I'll wrap it up. All I'm really saying is that I think that if you went the extra mile to make such a realistic game that you have, what's stopping you from going the extra distance and restricting the main arenas to have country specific aircraft?
Are you guys afraid you'll lose your playerbase by making the aircraft matchups realistic also on a larger scale?

Just my 2 cents after coming home from work.
I was thinking about it on the drive home and decided to say something.
Okay, I'm done.

[NoBaddy]

Originally posted by halcyon
I want to be able to fly 109F-4s against some F4U-1As, not against C202s or Ju87s.

 

I know this might be a silly question...but, have you ever thought of flying in EW? The matchups you are talking about happen there nearly every night....and there are NO La7's.

[halcyon]

Originally posted by NoBaddy
I know this might be a silly question...but, have you ever thought of flying in EW? The matchups you are talking about happen there nearly every night....and there are NO La7's.

Sadly EW isn't nearly as populated as it needs to be to accomodate the size of the maps that server runs.
I can't imagine having fun when there are only about 10-15 people per country on a map made for at least 200.

[E25280]

Originally posted by halcyon
Sadly EW isn't nearly as populated as it needs to be to accomodate the size of the maps that server runs.
I can't imagine having fun when there are only about 10-15 people per country on a map made for at least 200.

Guess that rules out the AvA for you too.  

[halcyon]

Originally posted by E25280
Guess that rules out the AvA for you too.  

It doesn't rule that arena out for me.
If people played there I would too.

Honestly, when is the last time you saw AvA populated?

[herrhav0k]

Originally posted by halcyon
It doesn't rule that arena out for me.
If people played there I would too.

Honestly, when is the last time you saw AvA populated?

When the Main Arenas were down


Gotta admit though, playing in AvA that night was a blast...

[FrodeMk3]

Halcyon, I'm gonna chip in a word of advice...Be careful on these boards.

This subject (especially the endless LA-7/Spit16 horde's) has been beat more than even a dead horse deserves.

I noticed that you've only been posting since August...You might not know about it, but there's a search function that keeps you from punting an old topic.

P.S. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, But I know plenty of others who would not show any restraint in pointing these things out, and take every opputunity to belittle you as much as they can.

P.S.-P.S. Also, check out the scenarios, snapshots, and squad events in the S.E.A.(Special Events Arena). They are a blast, I can tell you(Having once been top scoring pilot for my squad in a BoB "Eagle Day" Event).

[E25280]

Originally posted by halcyon
It doesn't rule that arena out for me.
If people played there I would too.

Honestly, when is the last time you saw AvA populated?

Depends on your idea of populated.  In the AvA, few if any give a rip if they die or not, and base capture is meaningless (there is no "win the war" or perks.)  Therefore, unlike the EW and MW arenas, if there are only 8 or 12 people on, you can bet they are all upping from two close bases having a nice little furball.

That is to say, whereas you have to search for opponents in the EW and MW, and then hope they don't run away, in the AvA just ask on 200 where the action is, and everyone will be there.  

Even if it is only 8, it will feel populated enough.  

[bizz]

Originally posted by halcyon
All I'm really saying is that I think that if you went the extra mile to make such a realistic game that you have, what's stopping you from going the extra distance and restricting the main arenas to have country specific aircraft?
Are you guys afraid you'll lose your playerbase by making the aircraft matchups realistic also on a larger scale?

 

Yep thats pretty much it

Been there done that in Warbirds and it killed that game. I have to admit I liked it but it did cause a mass exodus over here to AH. Trust me it will open up a whole can of worms that HTC will not want to deal with. Just to many problems with side balancing and gameplay.

[Schatzi]

Originally posted by halcyon
It doesn't rule that arena out for me.
If people played there I would too.

The problem being: Someone has to throw "the first stone"...
Everyone just saying "but noone else flies there" will just result in that!

[Serenity]

Originally posted by NoBaddy
I know this might be a silly question...but, have you ever thought of flying in EW? The matchups you are talking about happen there nearly every night....and there are NO La7's.

I stop in there everydy first because I love EW planes. You know how many people I see in the air? 4 is the most I have EVER SEEN. Force people in there, then suggest it

[Saxman]

I'd drop into Mid War if the 1A was enabled there. Even as a light perk (date of entry to service it should be, based on other aircraft already active).

[4deck]

Please dont start this crap up. Stay out of the Late war if you dont like it. Sorry, but I am finnally enjoying the game, and its working. You are speaking of an Areana called Axis vs Allies. And probable no one goes there, is because of the numbers. BUT HEY, Maybe if you continue to go there, and keep inviting people, it might catch on.  All of the early war, and Mid war, may have what you may seek. Also plenty of outstanding fights there. alot more 1 on 1. The late war as far as Im concerned is stratagy. How to best be effective. My limitation is fighters, but Im learning. Slow but Learning.

Anyway please dont change a thing HT, thank you

[1K3]

Originally posted by Saxman
I'd drop into Mid War if the 1A was enabled there. Even as a light perk (date of entry to service it should be, based on other aircraft already active).

F4U-1A with water injection entered late war (~1944)

[1K3]

Early war arena should have small map and bases should be closer (15 miles apart)