Whoa, whoa everyone... let's all take a step back here. This was the original post:
Why do you guys insist on messing with these ranges? 1k and none below 500ft? Very unenjoyable for me tonight.
The question at hand isn't one of "no icons" or "ramming things down people throats". The question is "are the settings in the current FSO the right ones." Taking shots at the FSO Staff, and other FSO players in this forum isnt going to help anything. Lets look at this one point at a time:
1) Daddog has stated that the settings will remain as they are for the next 2 frames. That's fair... it is the way this month's FSO has been set up. No one on the FSO staff has said anything about it being that way forever. But, to change it now, just because some of us dont like the settings after one frame sets the stage for
anything to be changed mid-run in a FSO just because some of us dont like it. It was clearly stated in the FSO setup, and we all just need to live with it for the next 2 frames.
2) I think the question at hand is more one of "why have different range settings for friendlies and enemies." A couple have voiced an opinion on that, but nothing has come from the FSO staff on that. I have no problem with varying the icon settings from time to time. If global icon range is set to 1K, it forces players to fly in tighter formations to maintain ID on their squadmates. Anything outside that ID range can then become suspect. But... with varied settings, it adds in an element of uncertainty. My personal opinion wold be if the settings are going to be "played with" from time to time, that it be done so globally. I also feel that 1K is a bit too short... as 1K is just on the edge of lethal guns range. If the thought is that we should be able to tell by the profile of an aircraft what it is at 3K, then I think we should have an icon to go with it.
3) When combined with a 1K enemy ID range, no icons below 500' becomes even more difficult to manage in my opinion. Add to that the fact that many of the bases did not even flash when bandits were directly on top of them (something which has yet to be explained) , and it promotes NOE sneakery on a grand scale.
FSO is successful for many reasons. It has a great group of volunteers that put together outstanding scenarios week after week. The CiC's take the time to send out detailed orders to their squads, and the squads themselves immerse themselves into the scenario and become a part of it. Squads that cant stand each other in the MA's fly side by side in FSO and work together as if they had been doing so for years. It is really amazing all of the work and commitment that goes into it by everyone.
Another reason that FSO is so successful is that it has settings that are more challenging than just flying in the MA's... and there are rules that must be followed to participate. But if those settings or rules are taken too far, in either direction, we are taking the risk of driving many good FSO participants away.
I enjoy almost every FSO I fly in. In fact, the only ones I havent enjoyed, are when I do something stupid that puts me back in the tower early... like pranging my prop when I am setting down for a refuel before I even get the chance to see combat. Frame 1 of this FSO wasnt "as enjoyable" as many others for the reasons I have already stated... but I will live with it for the next 2 frames and adjust my tactics accordingly. But it is my hope that going forward, changing icon range settings is something that is "few and far between"... and is done with great consideration for all the participants involved.
See you in frame 2.
