New radar settings

[Oldman731]

Someone on staff - not me - has adjusted radar settings in a new and very effective way.  I think this is in response to a suggestion of Chilli or Trukk (hope I'm correct - thanks for the suggestion, whoever it was).  The DAR bar works as always, but dot radar (the tower setting, I believe) is very low.  The result is that you don't know exactly where the enemies are - or even that they're enemies - until you're quite close.

I found the result most enjoyable.  I suspect that they will encourage people to fly together - and higher - more than in the past.  I don't know how well it will work on a different map, but I think we ought to try.

Comments?

- oldman

[Trukk]

Mister Fork was kind enough to reduce it after this request.

Would it be possible to have the facility radar (not the BARDAR) turned off, or very range limited, while we run our mission in the AvA room? The reason I ask is this.

Read most any account of air combat in WWII and you will read about the guy with the great eyesight who could spot bandits at long range. You will read about the veteran telling the new guys to keep their head on a swivel and never fly straight for more than thirty seconds. You will read about the pucker factor of suddenly spotting the enemy. You will read about the guy who got bounced and didn't realize he was in danger until the bullets started whizzing by, or who bounced a bandit catching him by surprise. You'll read about the skies being full of bandits one moment and empty the next. You'll read about the guy who escaped by getting separation and running home.

What you won't read about is the AWACS digital link to the HUD giving the pilot second by second positional information on every individual bandit in the area, negating all of the above.

If you think of the tactical level being how you engage an enemy formation, the strategic level is what you do beforehand to get to that engagement. For example, if you are defending against an incoming bomber raid and can see them with AWACS precision 20 miles out, there's no challenge at the strategic level in figuring out where to position your forces to find and intercept the enemy, just follow the dots. If there is no chance of failure, there is no accomplishment with success.

As a team CO a big part of the fun and challenge in this type of event is planning your flight(s) at the strategic level to give your pilots the greatest chance of success. As a pilot a big part of the suspense of flying is the search for the enemy, and the excitement of a wingman calling out "bandits at 10oc!". Or on the flip side, the suspence of trying to avoid the enemy and the pucker factor when you're spotted.

The BARDAR is actually a better representation of the information a typical pilot would have in WWII. You know the general area the enemy is in and rough numbers, but you can't use it to check your six or re-engage that bandit that slipped away.

S!
Trukk

[KONG1]

Don't care...as long as I can find a fight.....

but I have to ask.

(1) Do we  really need to "encourage people to fly together - and higher"?

(2) Isn't group size and altitude inversely proportional to gonad girth?

(3) Since what is "fun" seems to vary with the individual, doesn't that make it nonsensical to use the word as an argument for or against changes?

(4) Trukk states that not knowing where the bombers are increases the "challenge" of intercepting, does it not also decrease the "challenge" for the bombers?

(5) Holding your hand in a fire is definitely a "challenge" so doesn't that word need clarification? Maybe what we want is a "fun" "challenge" (see item 3 above)

(6) If one were trying to plan a bombing run "at the strategic level to give your pilots the greatest chance of success" wouldn't it be best to fly unopposed in a private arena?

(7) "The BARDAR is actually a better representation of the information a typical pilot would have in WWII". Isn't death actually a better representation of the result a typical pilot would have in WWII when their plane explodes? Maybe what we want is "fun" "reality" (see item 3 above).

(8) Wouldn't my time be better spent finding someone to shoot at me in the AvA than screwing around on the BBS?

(9) How many licks does it take to get to the center of Jimmy Hoffa?

(10) If a wood chuck could chuck wood would a wood chuck wood chuck wood?

(11) If practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, why practice?

(12) If quitters never win, and winners never quit, what fool came up with, "Quit while you're ahead"?

(13) If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

(14) If you're born again, do you have two bellybuttons?

(15) If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

(16) Why can't I stop?

[Trukk]

Furballing vs realism, different preferences.  With four furballing arenas, it's just nice to have the option for those who are interested.

[storch]

have you been to the MA's?  they are the milk running arenas most, especially the early and the mid war ones.

[KONG1]

You didn't answer any questions. Here's some more.

(17) When Trukk wrote: "Furballing vs realism, different preferences. With four furballing arenas" wasn't he just trying to frame the discussion in a way that would support his personal preferences?

(18) Would it not be more honest to characterize the game as:

4 arenas - free-for-all capture-territory war game.

1 arena - fighting for the purpose of fighting.

1 arena - training and practice.

1 arena - for arranged engagements.

1 arena - for organized "realistic" game play.

Any number of smaller arenas that can be setup in a variety of ways.

(19) Isn't it nice that there is such a wide variety of options to satisfy all sorts of interests?

(20) Why are sheep so damn sexy?

(21) Will your brains fall out if your too open minded?

(22) If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

(23) What is "42"

(24) How many sides does a box have?

(25) What was the name of the Slim Pickens character in Dr. Strangelove?

(26) Why won't the voices stop?

[VWE]

Don't care...as long as I can find a fight.....

but I have to ask.

(1) Do we really need to "encourage people to fly together - and higher"?Hell no we don't need more chickentails!

(2) Isn't group size and altitude inversely proportional to gonad girth?That's what I hear

(3) Since what is "fun" seems to vary with the individual, doesn't that make it nonsensical to use the word as an argument for or against changes?depends on your perspective

(4) Trukk states that not knowing where the bombers are increases the "challenge" of intercepting, does it not also decrease the "challenge"for the bombers?Yes... unless milking is why they came to an empty areana

(5) Holding your hand in a fire is definitely a "challenge" so doesn't that word need clarification? Maybe what we want is a "fun" "challenge" (see item 3 above)Depends on how you define 'fun' and 'challenge'

(6) If one were trying to plan a bombing run "at the strategic level to give your pilots the greatest chance of success" wouldn't it be best to fly unopposed in a private arena?If a tree falls in the woods without anyone around does it make any sound?

(7) "The BARDAR is actually a better representation of the information a typical pilot would have in WWII". Isn't death actually a better representation of the result a typical pilot would have in WWII when their plane explodes? Maybe what we want is "fun" "reality" (see item 3 above).Maybe they secretly want this game to end

(8) Wouldn't my time be better spent finding someone to shoot at me in the AvA than screwing around on the BBS?Noooo... your missing the point, its much better to first antagonise the person here.

(9) How many licks does it take to get to the center of Jimmy Hoffa?Are you saying you know where Jimmy Hoffa is?

(10) If a wood chuck could chuck wood would a wood chuck wood chuck wood?No, its just a figure of speach

(11) If practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, why practice?Just cause you know your not perfect doesn't mean I'm not.

(12) If quitters never win, and winners never quit, what fool came up with, "Quit while you're ahead"?The same fool who didn't buy ibto your first two statements.

(13) If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?Ahhh, because you haven't figured out the difference between love and lust!

(14) If you're born again, do you have two bellybuttons?Nope, you reuse the same one

(15) If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?You've accomplished what you set out to do.

(16) Why can't I stop?Cause your nuts...


__________________

[VWE]

(17) When Trukk wrote: "Furballing vs realism, different preferences. With four furballing arenas" wasn't he just trying to frame the discussion in a way that would support his personal preferences?We all do that, stop pointing out the obvious!

(18) Would it not be more honest to characterize the game as:

4 arenas - free-for-all capture-territory war game.Or... 4 arenas of mayhem!

1 arena - fighting for the purpose of fighting.Or... if its stationary vulch it, if it moves flee from it!

1 arena - training and practice.Or... learn how to vulch, learn when to run!

1 arena - for arranged engagements.Or... pre arranged running, think marathon!

1 arena - for organized "realistic" game play.Or... show us when there are only 4 people in an arena you still can't pass up a good vulch then flee when they finally do make it up!

Any number of smaller arenas that can be setup in a variety of ways.

(19) Isn't it nice that there is such a wide variety of options to satisfy all sorts of interests?Yup, lots of places to vulch and flee!

(20) Why are sheep so damn sexy?Sheeep

(21) Will your brains fall out if your too open minded?Nope, no one is that open minded

(22) If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?Its all about perception and you haven't figured that out yet.

(23) What is "42"Got me there... u nut job!

(24) How many sides does a box have?4... failed 3rd grade geometry?

(25) What was the name of the Slim Pickens character in Dr. Strangelove?J."King"Kong

(26) Why won't the voices stop?Cause your nutz...


__________________

[Trukk]

Well here's a couple of answers for ya.

1. Relating "gonads" to anything in a computer game is laughable.

2. We had six squads and 40+ guys in the event who had a blast.

3. Some people are more interested in simulating WWII air combat than mindless furballing or milk running.

4. To each his own, you have your opinion but fortunately it's irrelevant.

[Dichotomy]

hey Kong

Seriously Sunday night was a blast.  There were plenty of players on both sides that had an idea of what was going on.  Kind of like a pick up football game.  A bunch of guys competing hard core then when the games over we're all cool with each other again.

It wasn't about base capture or any of that stuff.  The buffs had escorts to furball with and there were good fights in my opinion that could draw more people to AVA for the setups and the realism.

Trust me I'm not a strat rat or win the war guy by any stretch but I do enjoy a good mission with good leadership and an objective a couple of nights a week just as much as I enjoy jumping on and seeing you, oldman, storch, etc.., on other nights and getting my tail whipped by you or flying wing with you.

If there's another HARM in here and I sincerely hope there is I'd hope that more of the AVA regulars like yourself join in and offer constructive criticism to how to make it more condusive to growth for the arena.

Just my .02

[E25280]

Originally posted by VWE
(23) What is "42"Got me there... u nut job!

Oh, come on!  That was the easiest in the list!

42 is the answer to LIFE, the UNIVERSE, and EVERYTHING!!!!!

[Oldman731]

Originally posted by Dichotomy
It wasn't about base capture or any of that stuff.  The buffs had escorts to furball with and there were good fights in my opinion that could draw more people to AVA for the setups and the realism.

As Filth has repeatedly proven, a well thought out, well advertised mission in AvA makes for a night that is as good as it gets, anywhere in AH.  The foreplay and the afterglow preceding and following such a mission are equally memorable.  I would be delighted if we could have one such mission each night of the week.  Perhaps some day we will.  Filth, Trukk, Sweetooth and others have been leading the way.

- oldman

[gbleck]

(20) Why are sheep so damn sexy? A question that should be posed to the 3CD (Third Canadian Division).

[allmetal]

Originally posted by gbleck
(20) Why are sheep so damn sexy? A question that should be posed to the 3CD (Third Canadian Division).

why?do you know the answer?

[Shifty]

Keep pluggin Trukk. What you're doing is a good thing!:aok
I'd also like to add WTG to Chilii for attepmting to start an AVA squad.

That's a positive step to get the place populated again. Like was pointed out by Dichotomy, and Oldman earlier, there was no land grab. The anticipation of the ops in AVA was as much fun as the actual ops. Plus once the mission was over there enough people in the arena for some great fights like we used to see in the good old days when both Allied and Axis squads populated this arena along with the Gunfighters who were good enough to side balance constantly.

I'm just not an MA guy. I go into the LW MW or EW, and just can't enjoy it. I'd rather get my a** shot off in the AVA than land kills in the MA,,, not that I'm doing much of that ethier.