Coop mission arena

[jimson]

Iv'e always wanted to see something like this.

My vision for something similar would be in a new or existing CM run arena where a series of scripted missions and counter missions would automatically kick off at selected times throughout the day.

My envisioned version would require improved AI because the slots would first be filled with AI but AI would be replaced one by one as players joined, and the missions would always launch on time with AI claiming the unclaimed slots.

As fighter escort and interceptors would likely fill first, the bomber and cargo slots would be the ones most augmented by AI and that would be more palatable than AI fighters.

Here is what such a mission creator might look like: Perhaps with an option to choose which slots could be filled with AI and a "sub" option where AI would only launch in unclaimed slots.



Of course it might be also be cool if players could take over AI planes in flight and choose to join a mission in progress or wait for the next.

[jimson]

From another Thread

Merry Christmas All 

What we are asking for is wingman operations.  This is what the game absolutely needs to promote in order to remain competitive. 

Solo versus wingman tactics

• solo flights leave the pilot with individual choices VS. Wingman flights carry responsible choices
• solo engagements require above average skill VS. Wingman engagements better odds for beginner and novice skill
• solo objectives may conflict with or spoil others' objectives VS. Wingman objectives are better communicated and generally others are more mindful
• solo rewards end with the end of the sortie VS. Wingman rewards include successful completion of group's tasks

For the above reasons, I would rather see the AI* utilized in at least one online arena.  This allows the players who wish to fly solo to continue, as well as gives a less popular or newer player the option to fly with a wingman or group, without having to look for the nearest horde. 

* The only restriction that I would like to add to Jimson's mission planner, would be a finite total number like 5 AI slots.  <<  The AI would occupy those 5 slots until taken up by an actual player, meaning that a mission can be planned for more than 6 total slots but no more than 5 AI would ever be assigned to a mission.

I wouldn't favor ANYTHING that added AI pilots to an arena ...

As for the AI pilots.. NO, NO, NEVER!

I would like to see an improvement in AI for this idea, but naturally, humans would tend to choose the fighter plane roles first , I would see the AI more as an augentation for non fighter roles such as bombers, troop carriers and such.

CM flexibility in determining which slots would be available for AI augmentation, only in the event that the slots are unclaimed.

With the right mixture of AI and humans, I think it could work.

[kvuo75]

8 sets of b17's for a vbase 


 

[jimson]

8 sets of b17's for a vbase  


 

Not meant to be taken literally. A CM would set it up to their specifications, whether it was a more appropriate force to capture a base or a very large scale representation of an historical 8th AF mission with multiple targets, cities, bases and such, with a corresponding large Luftwaffe intercept mission

[FBCrabby]

Its called FSO

[1sum41]

Its called FSO

What if you are like me and you cant make FSO?
+1 Jimson

[jimson]

What if you are like me and you cant make FSO?
+1 Jimson

Exactly, if I could make the special events, my fevered mind might never drift in these directions.

[Chilli]

The operative word here is "co-op".   I had given thought to an idea that required the players to join a mission in order to fly.  No more lone wolf runs.  This would reinforce the idea of formed squadrons.

For the most part the misconception has been that players know what they want and they want freedom to do what they please.  Well, good luck with that.  Or I should say, that sounds like anarchy.  So, instead of being able to have many different types of fights.  The options are actually more limited.

Another problem with the current mission system is that they are usually not very many variations of it.  Very rarely do folks make a mission to fighter sweep or to strategically attack enemy resources.  Mostly mission planner use is to either form the NOE raid, bomber run or base take horde.

Something along the lines of enabling AI to fill in small formation missions, would give the "fun" historic planner types a chance to grab less popular aircraft, and not have to scrub the mission for lack of participants. 

[guncrasher]

The operative word here is "co-op".   I had given thought to an idea that required the players to join a mission in order to fly.  No more lone wolf runs.  This would reinforce the idea of formed squadrons.

just imagine somebody gives the warning:  "noe mission at a36", "quick somebody create a mission so we can up fast" , "crap i got shot down, quick somebody create another mission so we can keep defending"....

how long do you think ah will last with these never ending missions?


semp

[jimson]

The operative word here is "co-op".   I had given thought to an idea that required the players to join a mission in order to fly.  No more lone wolf runs.  This would reinforce the idea of formed squadrons.

For the most part the misconception has been that players know what they want and they want freedom to do what they please.  Well, good luck with that.  Or I should say, that sounds like anarchy.  So, instead of being able to have many different types of fights.  The options are actually more limited.

Another problem with the current mission system is that they are usually not very many variations of it.  Very rarely do folks make a mission to fighter sweep or to strategically attack enemy resources.  Mostly mission planner use is to either form the NOE raid, bomber run or base take horde.

Something along the lines of enabling AI to fill in small formation missions, would give the "fun" historic planner types a chance to grab less popular aircraft, and not have to scrub the mission for lack of participants.  

Co-op might not be the term I was looking for, and Chilli, one of the ways I was looking at it would be a separate, dedicated missions arena.

They would be pre-loaded auto launched snapshots so to speak.

This would give everyone, including day time players a chance to fly in large missions.

One drawback would be that there would surely be low number times when most of the slots would be filled with AI, but you would never know for sure what type of pilot you might run into.

Again, since the biggest gripe would be having to dogfight against AI, it's a good thing that fighter escort and interceptor slots are more likely to be filled first by players, maximizing the chance that you would be dogfighting other players instead of AI. I don't think having bomber formations manned by AI would generate the same level of disappointment. Of course bomber jocks could also replace AI bombers if they wanted to participate as well.

Also might be nice if you could spawn into a mission and replace an AI plane already in flight, if a slot was available, so you would have a choice as to whether to join a mission in progress or wait for the next one to start.

[Chilli]

just imagine somebody gives the warning:  "noe mission at a36", "quick somebody create a mission so we can up fast" , "crap i got shot down, quick somebody create another mission so we can keep defending"....

how long do you think ah will last with these never ending missions?


semp

I like the idea of having a number cap placed on missions.  In this case I doubt there would be any of the hordes that we find today.  Also, there  would be no need to ask for more missions to be made, due to the ease of access to roll a mission in seconds, with AI if necessary.  Another thing the AI mission launch may actually decrease the vulchers and increase the chances of lifting from a "capped" base.

Besides the idea is to create a separate arena from the Main Arena.  This works on two levels.   First, low numbers in the arena does not mean no action due to AI involvement.  Second, a historical element of wingman tactical flying is promoted in an alternative arena to the MA.

This brings up a separate but related wish of mine also.  I wish that AI in your mission could be given simple dot commands, such as:  Form up (keeps them from furballing endlessly to the ground);  Attack (putting them in furball attack mode); and Home (tells the AI to set a course to land at a friendly field).

[jimson]

Besides the idea is to create a separate arena from the Main Arena.  This works on two levels.   First, low numbers in the arena does not mean no action due to AI involvement.  

Yep, a different concept. Another choice for players who want a mission dynamic they can launch into at the time most convenient for them. Might not need to be 24/7, just several times a day/night.

Of course if it was all automated it might not matter whether they ran on their own all the time or just started anytime at least one player joined.

There is a very similar concept described here for IL2 http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/23110283/m/6221000975?r=6891032975#6891032975
This server still runs today, and I've flown it a couple of times, sometimes by myself, sometimes with several other players. I imagine one in AH would be more popular. Il2 player base  is so fragmented this one is difficult to find, whereas in AH, you can find all arena choices in one place.

This brings up a separate but related wish of mine also.  I wish that AI in your mission could be given simple dot commands, such as:  Form up (keeps them from furballing endlessly to the ground);  Attack (putting them in furball attack mode); and Home (tells the AI to set a course to land at a friendly field).

In this sort of thing, it might have to be more the other way around with system prompts sending instructions to players. Otherwise, who would get to be the one to order the AI around?

[guncrasher]

I like the idea of having a number cap placed on missions.  In this case I doubt there would be any of the hordes that we find today.  Also, there  would be no need to ask for more missions to be made, due to the ease of access to roll a mission in seconds, with AI if necessary.  Another thing the AI mission launch may actually decrease the vulchers and increase the chances of lifting from a "capped" base.

Besides the idea is to create a separate arena from the Main Arena.  This works on two levels.   First, low numbers in the arena does not mean no action due to AI involvement.  Second, a historical element of wingman tactical flying is promoted in an alternative arena to the MA.

This brings up a separate but related wish of mine also.  I wish that AI in your mission could be given simple dot commands, such as:  Form up (keeps them from furballing endlessly to the ground);  Attack (putting them in furball attack mode); and Home (tells the AI to set a course to land at a friendly field).

you thinking of aw missions.  but this wish if granted will go the way of ww1 arena and the other arenas.  people just want to play in the ma for some reason.


semp

[jimson]

you thinking of aw missions.  but this wish if granted will go the way of ww1 arena and the other arenas.  people just want to play in the ma for some reason.

semp

Maybe, maybe not.

People still fly in the SEA events and there are many players who cannot attend these (euro, US night workers) It might find a market, especially now that a boxed game is being marketed in Europe.

There are some aspects that are similar to Combat Tour and I read a post from way back where Hitech said CT was not necessarily or entirely meant for the current AH player base.

[Chilli]

In this sort of thing, it might have to be more the other way around with system prompts sending instructions to players. Otherwise, who would get to be the one to order the AI around?

Whoever creates the mission would be the commander, or the rank system could be used in the way that fleet commanders are decided today.  And a really good question Jimson, I hadn't thought about it being mission with more than one non AI player so much.  I guess that I have been playing the offline practice missions too much