Wow... So the AvA is what you say it is, up until somebody else shows up? If it is so great, why the heck are you trying so hard to attract more players? Wow...
Every time I have visited the AvA, I've been ganged. Just like the MA. Almost every time I've been to the AvA, I've been HO'd... Just like the MA... You know what, I did complain to you after the Wednesday mission. Just as you recall. I complained out of frustration, because I had been in the AvA for several hours. I had gone out of my way not to gang... I had gone out of my way not to fire if it could even loosely be interpreted as a HO... Our entire squad was under orders not to HO, to respect the "rules" of the Arena. Heck, I got HO'd by the guy who later in the evening was put in charge of the opposition of the Wed Mission. What does that say to me? To get HO'd by a guy, then later see that he is "respected" enough in the AvA to lead a side during a Wednesday event?
You guys in the AvA need to do some soul searching and decide what it is that you really want to be... Then work to live up to that... This honor and fluff garbage is pretty much just that...
Sorry...
from a very unsatisified AvA user
You can't expect everyone to fly the same way. Everyone's opinion about the "right" way to fight is different. Nothing wrong with that -- but it changes the dynamics of the environment.
In a competitive environment (and what other term can we use for a game where you shoot other people?), a player must adapt to be successful. If player A normally never HOs, but is HOed every fight for 10 fights -- guess what -- he'll probably start resorting to HOing to enjoy a modicum of success. Doesn't make it a regular practice for that individual.
The problem many seem to have is that they expect absolute consistency. But when the names change, you simply can not have that expectation and be satisfied. The "guidelines" that are often suggested would make the arena more fun according to those who champion them. But if someone has a different opinion, it is much easier for that person to affect/control the enviromnment than those trying to restrict themselves to an extent.
Doesn't mean they shouldn't come in -- they absolutely should! Maybe they will, in time, begin to see that the "guidelines" make sense and make things more fun (or not - their choice). But people like you would do well to see that if some of the regulars adapt to the environment that results from the new faces, it is exactly that -
adaptation - and not adoption of the same philosophy.