Alot of interesting points.
I think Snaphook hit the closest to the "problem" of the AvA.
I never did understand this, and I still don't. In a game about WW2 aerial combat, you'd think the AvA would be the most populated arena. It ought to be. I mean, if you have an interest in history and WW2 and air combat, why would you prefer the mish-mash of planes available in the the MA over an historical matchup?
Remember when everyone was so happy about the big maps coming back in the MA? There were big maps in the AvA way before that. And they look better too.
The problem with the AvA isn't any inherent problem with the setup, maps, planeset, whatever. It's the mindset of the people that pay to play this game. For whatever reason, the MA is where people would rather spend their time. I'm sure someone can figure out why that is- what in the MA makes it more appealing to folks that should have their sensibilities terribly offended by the mixed up planesets.
The MA is Quake with wings. The AvA is at least an attempt at a WW2 Flight Sim.
When/if you guys figure out how to make the AvA popular, I'll happily renew my subscription. Until then, I just don't see the point in flying Quake in the MA, and I don't have the patience to pretend I'm flying in WW2 when there's 2 other people in 500 square miles of map.
I realize I do nothing to help in this post, but I just wanted to express my opinion. I'm pretty sure I've said this exact thing a few times over the years.