Hmmm......
Based upon the replies so far, It seems that we can draw a few conclusions.
AH, With all of it's different features, appeals to a wide range of players. There are those whose interest lies in Air to Air combat. Then, there are those who like the team-oriented style of play. You have those who have more of an interest in MMOG tank battles(which there are not so many on the Web, believe it or not, at least on the scale of AH). And, you have many who like the Strategic aspects of the game.
We can judge, that do to the conflicts that all the different styles of gameplay, And do to the competive nature of the game, Somebody's always gonna be unhappy.
And the real clincher is, you will have somebody laughing and gloating over someone else's misfortune.
And since this is basic human nature...The only solution that would be "Healthy", is to make everyone a winner.
I agree with Apeking, as to his posted reply. It's proven true by all the "WTG"'s and attaboys that people get when the system message saying what kills landed and when pop up on the buffer.
NoBaddy Hit upon something, that kind of struck a chord in me. An influx of PC gamers, that would'nt know Richard Bong or Gunther Rall from Captain Kangaroo, have started to appear on the scene. True, some become history as the 2-week trial runs out...A few stay on. But does The Unreal Tournament mentality stay as well? What do we do, say, "Sure, come play AH, But before we let you online, answer me these questions three!"
1. What, Is your name?
2. What, is your quest?
3. What, is the airspeed velocity of an unladen Spitfire!?!?!?!?
Of course, the last is, All being individuals, Slum behaviour means different things to different people. The reason that HTC has had to take harsh reproach with some people, To institute these changes, makes me believe that he has been contemplating this for some time. I've Been watching AH grow for close to 3 yrs. now, and used to wonder about how large it would finally get. It's been stated that there wasn't a tech issue, But I've noticed that splitting the arena's seem to help influx larger numbers' of players. Let me put it this way: We started with AH as like being in a Model A Ford Street Rod club: We all had personal taste, and refinements in the way we played, and how we liked our rides, etc. Now, the street rod club has expanded to include other Brands and genres (No, I'm not implying that you will see Rodders hanging with import tuners) But it seems that's what we are trying to do. And, The Rodders are not liking what's happening at the car shows now. But, It's all money to the show promoter, and for him, the bigger, the better.
But, none of us can blame HTC for wanting to expand. Especially if it eventually means more resources( Expanded plane/GV?/Game features).
We would all look back and say, "Wow, we've come a long way...." I know that there's a few that look forward to TOD, but the reality is that many are here because of the MMOG type of MA's that we have now.
Once again, Ty for your replies.