I've been doing a lot of thinking about how HTC could add to the tank portion of AH, simple yet effective modifications to better represent the actually ground warfare of WWII, especially in Northern Europe. Again, to reiterate, it is not lost on me that the ground warfare element of AH will always be more arcade than simulation, for lack of a better expression. This primarily due to a deliberate focus in design and programming of being a flight sim first and foremost, with the ground portion filling a secondary role. Having said that, I do believe with some simply programming tricks, it could be moved closer to a true simulation. This would make it more attractable to some of the more hard core ground pounder types, thereby increasing revenue if they signed up, plus it would provide more competitive choices against environments such as WWII On-line.
To restate something from another post.
"This information comes from The Range and Angular Distribution of A.P. Hits
on Tanks, Ballistic Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD,
December 1951 (Project TB3-1224B, Memorandum Report # 590)
A Map study was also included for Northern Europe and it concluded that the
average range that a tank could see another tank from any random point was
322 yards. The probability that a tank could see 1000 yards at any random
point in Northern Europe was less than .05 (less than 5%). It was
concluded that tank engagements in Europe was controlled by the terrain -
thus limiting tank engagement ranges."
This implies, plus most historical accounts as well as personal narration speaks of the "ambush" as the principle element that caused loss of allied vehicles as they advanced through very crowded European terrain, not being able to see great distances. Our severe graphics limitations (lack of solid modeled hills, hedgerows, trees and buildings), plus huge neon icons, completely eliminates any ability to ambush an incoming ground strike force with an equivalent ground component.
I've been mulling over a GREAT idea that "Pongo" proposed in the "Tank to tank engagement ranges" thread. Would it not be very simple for HTC to add a command or capability for a ground vehicle to "hide" by voluntarily turning OFF his icon. Of course, he would also not appear on radar at any range under these conditions. To the extreme, perhaps it would also make him completely invisible, but I'm not sure that's necessary to do immediately. Some beta testing would easily determine whether the first step was sufficient to create the ability for a vehicle, or group of vehicles to set up and execute an effective close range ambush. He could only turn his icon OFF when stopped. It would illuminate if he fired, perhaps combined with a muzzle flash, then immediately turn OFF again. This ambush mode would stay ON, but toggle permanently OFF (making him always visible) if the ambusher moved his vehicle, or was hit by enemy fire, which would be similar to damaged vehicle that would generate smoke.
This small change alone, would add some really exciting scenario capabilities and spice up an otherwise flat terrain long range slug it out situation that currently exists. It is the equivalent of the surprise "bounce" when done in HA type arenas with their short range icon views and no radar.
Feedback would be appreciated from everyone. Comment from anyone at HTC would also be valuable.
Regards,
Badger
