Turn the icon's off

[CAP1]

I agree with this.  I think it would add to better SA.  As far as the small monitors, define "tiny".  I flew with a 17" monitor for the last 2 years.  Just upgraded to a 22" flat recently.  Is there a difference in my flying......not that I can tell.  I still die just as easy.  It's just bigger pieces flying off my plane.

Obie

by bigger monitors, i mean these guys flying on 40"+ monitors. i recall even seeing one that uses a projector, thus giving him an 8'  "screen".

[bcadoo]

Since we fly a mix of Axis and Allied fighters you would still need a way of determining enemy and friendly.  Suppose your wingman in a pony gets jumped by someone in a pony (with the same skin).   I don't know if its possible but maybe subtle shading differences in friendly and enemy on the control surfaces to help ID might make it doable without icons.  (what if you could spend some perks to see the names of the enemy instead of just the plane type??)

[drdeathx]

Hate to say this but Icons off would be worthless seeing we have the capability of flying THE SAME PLANE OR USING THE SAME GV.

[xtyger]

I was thinking a no icon game might be interesting to try in a Axis vs. Allies type scenario. You'd have to get up to speed real fast on aircraft recognition to play that game.

You might be able to pull something like that off in the Axis vs. Allies arena.

[SEraider]

The other thing is that with Icons turned off, you won't know who your friendlies are due to the same country using axis/allied aircraft. 

Maybe in AvA where its allies v axis might work.

[Wingnutt]

Icons make up for the inherent lack of depth perception you get from playing a 3d game on a 2d medium, also there is AH's graphic shortfalls for example dark planes against dark backgrounds/water (a topic which has been brought up) that cause aircraft to blend in a little too well with the background  I.E. a dark plane flying over water in game can be damn near invisible at only D200 while in real life you would be able to see it just fine.

there are other factors as well of course but even just those 2 are enough to make Icons a needed measure.

I do however wish that you could make the designation  I.E.  "P51D"  disappear once you get withing say D400 or so, leaving only the distance marker.  that's just personal wish though

[Dawger]

Obviously no icons only works in an historical setup.

But modified icons that only indicate friend or foe would be welcome in the MA IMO.

A subtle glow around the aircraft at appropriate ranges would be awesome. Getting rid of the range altogether and aircraft type outside of realistic ranges would be nice.

And have the plane ID switch tied to aircraft size (and aspect if possible) would be awesome.

As an example a P51 and 109 silhouette look identical at twice the distance. Basically, a 109 at 2000 feet looks just like a P51 at 4000 feet away. A good icon system would switch on aircraft type at twice the range for a pony as a 109. (This is just an example. Aircraft ID should be tied to aircraft size is my point)

Another example is the difference in planform and side aspect. The P38 is the most vivid example. In planform it is easily identifiable at very long range but in side or front aspect it virtually disappears. But I imagine coding icons for aspect would be quite a challenge.

I've typed all this at least 100 times before and I absolutely know I am wasting my time doing it yet here I am. Typing it again.

[Shane]

I was thinking a no icon game might be interesting to try in a Axis vs. Allies type scenario. You'd have to get up to speed real fast on aircraft recognition to play that game.

You might be able to pull something like that off in the Axis vs. Allies arena.

The other thing is that with Icons turned off, you won't know who your friendlies are due to the same country using axis/allied aircraft. 

Maybe in AvA where its allies v axis might work.

uhhhh.....  no.

[Dawger]

The other thing is that with Icons turned off, you won't know who your friendlies are due to the same country using axis/allied aircraft. 

Maybe in AvA where its allies v axis might work.

The AvA is the place to try stuff like this but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[rabbidrabbit]

There are more than one arena so they can roll out any change and see the results.

As far as Icons...  I would like to see something more creative with aircraft icons.  As a compromise to gameplay I don't think friendly icons should change.  With eny, long range depth perception could be handled with distance dependent "dot" colors.  For example, 3-6k = grey dot, under 3 it stays black.  Once you get within 800k or so you should be able to id type as a real pilot would.  There are tons of things that could be done to keep the game interesting.  If something does not work out then go back and try something else.  Making no changes is just a slow bleed of interest.

[Shuffler]

The icon is one of two ways to ID a con since allied may be fighting alled aircraft. Of course the second is if he shoots at you.

[hubsonfire]

There are more than one arena so they can roll out any change and see the results.

As far as Icons...  I would like to see something more creative with aircraft icons.  As a compromise to gameplay I don't think friendly icons should change.  With eny, long range depth perception could be handled with distance dependent "dot" colors.  For example, 3-6k = grey dot, under 3 it stays black.  Once you get within 800k or so you should be able to id type as a real pilot would.  There are tons of things that could be done to keep the game interesting.  If something does not work out then go back and try something else.  Making no changes is just a slow bleed of interest.

Interesting idea, but the geezers and colorblind folks may have a hard time figuring out what's going on.

[Bizman]

We used to have a couple of "no icons" events in the past on some snapshots with historical planesets. Although most of the action took place inside on sector, mostly around the Jabo target, it was too tough to be fun.

Another question: How big is a "big" monitor? My 24" widescreen is the biggest I have ever had so far, but I still can't tell a flowerpot fly from a dot without icons. Not to mention, that I have a microfibre cloth within reach to wipe off every dot looking dust particle.

I don't say that this icon system we now have is perfect, but compensates the lack of 3D reality on this 2D surface. And it is quite adjustable too.

[Shuffler]

I fly with a 24 widescreen too. I have a 28 widescreen at the shop but don't use it on Ah.

[allaire]

  The old game of is that a con or a spot of dust on my monitor.