Originally posted by hubsonfire
Hobby/pasttime. I spend far too much time on the game, and things related to it, but there's so many aspects, the forum discussions, hardware, peripherals and setups, the historical side of things, the aircraft discussions, special events, etc, that I can still find something that keeps me amused for hours, even after 6 years of fairly constant play. It is an absolutely ridiculous amount of entertainment for 15 bucks a month, even if at times I do find it frustrating for various reasons.
I find the parallel between golf and AH to be very accurate.
Sounds like my story. I'm a hobbyist now, though I've definitely spent some time at the obsession level.
I've been a lifelong aviation and history fan; I specifically remember a pre-teen conversation with my brother where we dreamed about someday being able to fly plane against plane in a computer sim. Fantasy back then, but now way more than what we could imagine.
Before I found AH, my main hobby was building models and dabbling in computer games. Since AH, I haven't needed any other hobbies...and this one's so deep challenging, and rewarding that I've stayed with it longer than just about any other hobby I've had.
As for flight style: I want a good fight, and I'm willing to risk death to get it...but deep down, I like to survive. At times I've gotten cranked when those conflicting goals led to frustration, but now I go with the flow much better. I've done the score thing, and went as far as I want to (I got into the low 20s, but I don't WANT to do what's needed to go farther. No way do I want to invest enough hours to compete with the mega hour guys, and I fly as a lone wolf 95% of time). So, essential no rank goals now.
I think stats are useful only as measures of personal progress, and used that way there isnt really a substitute. I watch KPD and hit%, and I watch how my KPD breaks down among and against certain planes. I'm embarrassed to admit that I have an Excel spreadsheet....So I'm not a score dweeb, I'm a stat dweeb!
What I work for is simple: to get better. I love getting that reversal right, suckering someone into a maneuver kill, or getting a really good snapshot off. I like reaching a new personal milestone, no matter what it is. I love the feeling of doing something well, especially if it involves wing tactics or getting a wounded buddy home. I try to learn what I'm doing wrong , and then put it into practice in the unpredictable MA. (BTW: can't praise the trainers enough! They've been a huge help even in low level interventions like commenting on film clips)
So, like golf, the game is a challenge that can never be conquered. (At least for guys starting with my non-gifted-gamer talent level.)
But best of all, I've come to love the community. Starting the "game" I never expected to make REAL friends. Not those superficial gaming buddies, but friends who make a point of getting together, who are there for each other when RL troubles hit. People who care about the same things I'm interested in (and who remember the same obscure cultural references) sure, that's great....but there's nothing like finding quality people who hear a rumor that you're having a hard time, and call you up or send daily PMs to encourage you -- or who send computer parts (even cash) to a squaddie who's strapped.
Summing up "What AH is to me":
Its the most rewarding and fun challenge I've ever taken up. And, it's a community of some really, really cool people -- some of whom have become really cool friends.
