Where is the History?

[VonKost]

This is the second online subscription Second World War in the air game that I’ve been a part of. I’ve enjoyed them both very much, but there is still much room for improvement. The problems I have had with both online games is the fact that there is no motivation to act in a historic manner.

I’ve always wanted to see historic mission profiles and combats as a result of missions, not find and fight furballs. I guess I just don’t understand the logic of these arenas. Why not play quake if all you want to do is jump in and start shooting. These games have so much more potential. Why not have a European map that represents spring 1944 in the air, make bases un-cappable and score points for bombs delivered on target. Make the bomber mission the focus of this ToD, maybe people will actually have to plan something, arrange escorts, fuel loads and map routes! The Luftwaffe side would have to use their air controllers to vector their interceptors to the raids. You would still get massive furballs, but you would get them for the right reasons.

You could include the 9th air force with their medium bombers and ground attack aircraft. You could even make it so there can be an invasion and ground capable bases after June 6th. Why can’t we design the plane sets to develop over time with improved models coming into service at certain dates.

Is no one interested in this kind of play? I think it is the most rewarding play you can have. Separating the machines from the methods is a mistake. I Guarantee that people will remember a historic bomber raid much more than the next furball at 500 feet.

In a former game I planned and lead a historic mission based on the 97th bomb groups first B-17 raid on occupied Europe. We flew a historic mission profile to Rouen and it took a couple of hours to complete, but it was totally intense and very much had the “you are there” feeling. About 5 miles from the IP turn we got jumped by a few 190’s and 109’s who were making slashing attacks and using good tactics. We lost a few bombers and got 1 fighter and maybe damaged another, but our forts brought us home missing some parts and guns. This mission is 100 times more memorable then when I upped for a furball and got a bunch of kills and landed 5 minutes later.

So I challenge you all, where is the history?

Regards,
VonKost

[Tiger]

Special Events and CT are what you are looking for.


I would also like to see  more Historical applications, but this game's MA was not designed for that.  It was designed so that random Joe who can only play for 30 mins can actually get in a fight or two before he has to log.

[WMLute]

Originally posted by VonKost
So I challenge you all, where is the history?

Regards,
VonKost

I challenge you to click the CALENDAR  button at the top of this very Forum.

This shows a list of the current Special Events that are run for Aces High.

I would point you in specific to the SnapShot's run on Wed. night and Thur. day.  They are historically based events.  This Wed. SnapShot is called "KILL THE ENGINES!"

Winter 1943
 
German scientist are working hard to produce the metals needed for engines to power the Me 262. Current engines are only good for 20-25 hours of use before necessitating a change-out. The OSS has provided Allied Leaders with intelligence suggesting that the work is being done at the radar facility near Marburg. Allied air groups are tasked with destroying this facility to halt production of the metals needed and the equipment for manufacture of the new engines.Axis Forces are expected to defend the facility to the fullest to protect production of the Me-262 engines.

The Thursday SnapShot is called "The Straffers".

Rabaul, like Truk, her sister citadel in the Carolines, was destined to be by-passed by our invasion forces, but would be completely cleared of all air and naval power in the process. There were many strikes carried out against Rabaul; the most bloddy of all probably being that of 2 November 1943. Intelligence reported Simpson Harbor to be packed with ships. General Kenney put nine B-25 squadrons (all straffers) and six covering squadrons of P-38 into the air and headed them out for Rabaul.

You would also quite love the Scenarios that are run every quarter.  The current Scenario is called "Der Grosse Schlag"

It is November, 1944.  The US 8th Air Force is exerting itself to its limits, sending enormous waves of escorted heavy bombers into Germany for wide-ranging strikes in an attempt to bring Germany to its knees.  However, General Galland has gathered Luftwaffe resources and is focusing its remaining might, which is substantial.  His goal is to inflict horrific losses upon the 8th Air Force, preferably enough to crack its resolve.  His goal is to deliver “Der Grosse Schlag” -- The Great Blow.

If you are in a squad, you would also LOVE Friday Night Squad Ops.  The current FSO is called "Operation Strangle".

Time Frame - March 1944

    "Operation Strangle" was conceived by Allied commanders to reduce the flow of enemy supplies in Italy below requirements by attacking their supply system. It was determined that the enemy's abilities to supply, reinforce, and shift forces could be so weakened that the Gustav Line could neither withstand determined ground attacks nor withdraw in order.

    Beginning in March, Allied Medium and Fighter Bombers struck targets from the Gustav Line to the Swiss frontier. While the Medium bombers wrecked marshaling yards and repair facilities, the Fighters and Fighter Bombers of the XII Air Support Command cut rail lines and bridges. The Fighter Bombers in particular, proved surprisingly successful as bridge busters.

    Heavy Bombers borrowed from the air war over Germany hit distant rail centers in the northern Italian cities. This scrambled enemy troops and supplies from beyond the Alps, as trains stacked up north and south of Rome. No trains were able to run from the Po Valley, and substantially all supplies had to be moved by truck south of Florence.

A listing of the current events we offer can be found can be found at the AHEvents site found HERE

You also might want to go a bit further down the BBS to Combat Tour.  THIS is a totally new game being designed by HiTech Creations, and seem like it would be RIGHT up your alley.
Description of Combat Tour

[Bruv119]

VonKost HTC are working on "Combat Tour"  which will pretty much involve everything you have suggested.

Also Lute has outlined the scenarios you can become involved in straight away.

I suggest you begin perfecting your flying/bombing skills in preparation for the release of combat tour.

[VonKost]

I am quite aware of the snapshots and special events. I've done the Friday night squad ops the last few weeks. I flew a fighter sweep with my squad in P-47's ( I even used the 57th FG skin) and it had a great real mission feel to it. I took an oil hit and had to ditch in the water on the way home, just like a lot of historic accounts. I enjoy these more than anything, but it's not enough. These events are so great, why aren't the other arenas modeled with this in mind?

Thanks for the responses so far.

[Hap]

Originally posted by VonKost
where is the history?

It doesn't exist in the Main Arenas.  Maybe the Special Events folks have the answer.

[LLv34_Camouflage]

Here's a brief overview of "Combat Tour", which is currently in closed alpha testing: http://forums.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=157903

Camo

[Tumor]

Originally posted by VonKost

So I challenge you all, where is the history?

There is none, and the very mention of it is bad for business.

[VonKost]

Originally posted by Hap
It doesn't exist in the Main Arenas.  Maybe the Special Events folks have the answer.

Yes, but why design a WW2 air combat game and not reward/encourage historic performance. The planes without the units an missions are not nearly as interesting.

Camo,

Looks good to me! need a tester or researcher for the project? Are there bomb units available for the bomber boys? Historic missions, aircraft, units and missions? What a novelty!

[dedalos]

I think you are looking for a different game

[Lusche]

Originally posted by VonKost
These events are so great, why aren't the other arenas modeled with this in mind?
 

Ever noted that even with the most successful of events, MA population is still higher (most of the time much higher) than SEA's ?

Not everybody is interested in the patience & discipline requiered for such kinds of events. The big advantage of the MA is that it is some kind of sandbox which allows for many different gamestyles and approaches to this game. Many people play to relax. Within the limited time they have, they just want to get up in the air and mix it up. Wanna fly a EW crate right into an enemy horde? Here you can do it.
I would even dare to say that even many participants in current scenario Der Grosse Schlag would be really upset if MA was modeled along that more historic and realistic lines.

[hubsonfire]

Purely historical action makes for really lousy gameplay. While this game does offer some events more closely aligned with the spirit of WW2 combat, by and large, most players wouldn't be intested if they only got a kill every 10 sorties, flew for several days without encountering any enemies, or couldn't play for 6 months to a year after being shot down.

"Realism" is a mixed bag.

[kamilyun]

Originally posted by hubsonfire
... most players wouldn't be intested if they only got a kill every 10 sorties....
 

Why do you still play?

[hubsonfire]

[The Fugitive]

Originally posted by VonKost
Yes, but why design a WW2 air combat game and not reward/encourage historic performance. The planes without the units an missions are not nearly as interesting.

Camo,

Looks good to me! need a tester or researcher for the project? Are there bomb units available for the bomber boys? Historic missions, aircraft, units and missions? What a novelty!

I can't answer for everyone, but I'd be willing to bet pretty much anything you could name that if they switched to MAs to a completely "historical" set-up you would loose 70%- 80% of the player base. Seeing as I'm sure HT is in this for the money, he knows what sells and has set up the game accordingly.

While I appreciate the history, and most likely spend too much time reading and watching documentaries, I would drop the game in an instant if it didn't have the MAs setup like they are. I have tried a number of senarios and such and they are just too slow and drawn out for me. The trill of the game..... for me.... is the fight. Give a few minutes to grab a bit of alt, and in I go !! Climbing to 30k, and running an escort mission for a group of buffs just isn't for me, nor quite a few other I'd guess.

I'll give CT a try WHEN it comes out, but I really doubt I'll spend much time there.