A $.02 from Toonces

[toonces3]

Hi all.
Logged onto Aces High last night.  I poked into Titanic Tuesday but honestly I just wasn't into that last night.  So, I haven't been in AvA in about a month or more so I thought I'd pop in, see what map is up, what setup, etc.

I was already on Bish side which is Axis now.   Checked the map and saw a red dar bar by some Vh down in the southern part of the map.  The closest base to this area was 30-40 miles (I think, maybe more?) and the only fighter available was an FW-190A8.  So I went to the next closest base and found the G-14 and the F-8, but this base had to be at least 40-50 miles or more from the red dar bar.  And the bar wasn't all that big.  If I lift, climb to 5k or so and then accelerate to 250 KIAS, I think at least 15 minutes is a reasonable assumption for flying time.

So I'm sitting in the tower doing the math and I'm realizing that I'm looking at something like 15 minutes of commute to find, maybe, a fight over the Vh base.  And 1Duke1 was on, and with my luck I'd run into him and be dead in 2 minutes or less of fighting.  That's best case.  Worst case is that I run into someone like the Avengers running a 'mission' up at 20k or something and I spend 20 minutes flying over there only to either find a group unwilling to fight, or so high that I can't engage them.

I understand that you all are doing something different in AvA, and I don't think that's a bad thing, but coming from someone who doesn't fly in AvA all the time....this setup is not great for relatively quick fun, even by large map MA standards.

I dunno.  I like the idea of a realistic set up, but unless the numbers are large, this seems like a minimal return on investment in flight sim time.  But, if I don't show up, and others don't show up because I don't show up, the numbers never get large...

I'm not sure what my point is.  Just that I logged into Mid-war instead of AvA last night because AvA didn't look like much fun because the set up didn't really support my idea of fun last night.

I'll give myself my own smiley to save you the time: 

<S> Toonces

[Motherland]

this setup is not great for relatively quick fun, even by large map MA standards.

It's not supposed to be.

[captain1ma]

fun is verboten, you axis schweinhund!! you vill not haff any fun!!

now for something completely different!! 

PS. in case you dont get the first 2 sentences, its all in fun. no insult meant to anyone. just my $.02 hehehe

[Chilli]

Toonces,

Sorry, that you didn't stay and at least give it a shot.  Even by MA standards now days, I fly 10 mins to find a fight, and yes to get HO'd or in my case Disconnected.  Your point is valid, and your concern is the number of vacant bases, and time it takes to put up any defense.

In a couple of days the arena will most likely see some of the old stuff.  But in the future we are hoping that setups like the present will be more friendly to the casual player.    Too bad you didn't pop in during the first round. 

[toonces3]

Ok, well let me just finish with this.

I think, in my opinion only, that I'm the type of player you should be trying to attract in AvA.  I'm not a total newb, I'm fairly flexible with respect to my flying style (ie. I'm not a particular fanboy of any planeset, side, or mission), and I'm adaptable to 'rules' or style for a given arena.

Having said that, I think the current setup in AvA is better suited to squad-based flying, or a long-term persistent war like the Titanic Tuesday, except with 400 players constantly fighting the war.

A large map like is currently in there, with extremely restrictive plane choices, does not serve to attract the typical player from the MA, even someone like me.  This setup would work well with a persistent war with alot of folks, sort of what I imagine WW2OL is like (never played so I don't really know).  I think AvA was more on the right track with the really small maps a while back.

I expect to get turded on since I'm not really someone that spends alot of time in AvA.  But I thought the perspective from an 'average joe' player might provide some insight.  Either way, I appreciate the hard work that goes into making the AvA what it is by folks doing this in their free time instead of flying and having fun.

<S>

[a4944]

Ok, well let me just finish with this.

I think, in my opinion only, that I'm the type of player you should be trying to attract in AvA.  I'm not a total newb, I'm fairly flexible with respect to my flying style (ie. I'm not a particular fanboy of any planeset, side, or mission), and I'm adaptable to 'rules' or style for a given arena.

Having said that, I think the current setup in AvA is better suited to squad-based flying, or a long-term persistent war like the Titanic Tuesday, except with 400 players constantly fighting the war.

A large map like is currently in there, with extremely restrictive plane choices, does not serve to attract the typical player from the MA, even someone like me.  This setup would work well with a persistent war with alot of folks, sort of what I imagine WW2OL is like (never played so I don't really know).  I think AvA was more on the right track with the really small maps a while back.

I expect to get turded on since I'm not really someone that spends alot of time in AvA.  But I thought the perspective from an 'average joe' player might provide some insight.  Either way, I appreciate the hard work that goes into making the AvA what it is by folks doing this in their free time instead of flying and having fun.

<S>

I agree with you.  There are some other threads on this and some very good suggestions on making it more friendly for the new or casual player.  The AvA does evolve.  I got a bit frustrated trying to find fights last night also but had fun once I found them. 

The map is big for the numbers.  There are few sustained fights for a single objective and that's probably what I miss the most. 

Venom

[Stampf]

Your thoughts and opinions are welcomed Toonces.  And frankly, you are somewhat correct in some of your concerns.  All of which the Staff recognizes, and is striving to correct even as we speak, err post. 

We'll get there.

[Chilli]

Toonces,

All the dumpers went to the MA.  Say what you feel here.  As long as you can do it respectfully, and like you said, I do believe you are the type of player that AvA would like to see logged.  Just keep an eye on the arena.  This is the one place where I have seen Scenario and Snapshot style setups that have incorporated more realistic settings like weather, wind, and now experimenting with alternatives to land grab and furball.

My advice is like our weather in Virginia, if you don't like it, wait 10 minutes it will change.

[Tango]

Jul-08: The 78th (Fw-190D) escorted SG2 (Ju-88) on a strategic bombing mission to an Allied munitions factory. The flight in was quiet except for a lone P-51 made a running pass at the bombers, but it was quickly chased off after taking hits from Maj and Hawkeye. About five miles out from the target though, all hell broke loose! From that point to about fifteen miles out from the target the group was engaged by numerous P-51s, in this wild melee the group fought to stay alive and protect the bombers. However, the bombers lost their formation and it quickly became a furball in the truest sense with fighters briefly pairing up with each other to take down a bandit, then getting split up and pairing up with someone else. When the group finally landed eleven Mustangs had been shot down without a single Dora (or it's pilot) being lost! Unfortunately, none of the Ju-88s made it home. All of the pilots who survived this fight have been awarded the Combat Cross, except for Maj who is awarded the DFC for recording five kills.

Thats our AAR from our mission last night. We flew forabout 20 or 30 minutes or so to get to the fight but it was well worth it. There was seven of us in Doras and had a dozen Mustangs come in on us and the bombers.

S! to everyone involved.

Best way to get into the action is ask on text and group up. When either side sees a dar with more than 1 or 2, they come running in to engage.

[Dichotomy]

I agree with you Toonces as far as the current setup seems to favor squad based action but I also see the arena evolving so, when I log on, if I can find a fight I go for it.  If I can't I go to the TA or do some offline stuff.  Occasionally I'll get desperate and go to the MA after I check to make sure all my shots are current and I'm not going to catch something I can't throw back

[Easyscor]

I like the way you put that Dichotomy. 

[Slash27]

I expect to get turded on since I'm not really someone that spends alot of time in AvA.  But I thought the perspective from an 'average joe' player might provide some insight.  Either way, I appreciate the hard work that goes into making the AvA what it is by folks doing this in their free time instead of flying and having fun.

<S>

Keep the input coming toonces, people are listening

[captain1ma]

Im with toonces. It's not as much fun as it was in the beginning. Again i am a big supporter of the AVA but the last few times ive been in there, it hasnt been my idea of a good time.  granted im over-looked because of my affiliations but i still like going in there.

I liked the all the maps but the PAC one. That's just my preferences. I really liked having bases to take. the object of war, as in football, is to get behind enemy lines. You get there, you can take possession or be pushed back.

Bombing strats is my idea of watching grass grow. its fun for some, but without being able to see the bombers, you cant chase them down or lay in wait. Im sure the bomber pilots would like a good fight to get there to make it more realistic. and if not, thats ok too. some people prefer playing un-opposed.

me personally, i understand what the CM's are trying to do. i hope they succeed and make it more conducive to everyone. its a tough job. all i can say is fix it up a bit so i can play more. thanks for listening and have a nice day