Virtual reality, altered reality, alternate reality, etc.
We, the Aces High Community, or a part, at least, oft argue the merit(s) of what does or does not represent historical reality in the game. We talk of plane (and tank) models not yet added but wished for, when they were produced*, how many, whether they were used in combat*, whether something’s been modeled that’s close enough. We talk of all the previous with planes (and tanks) already modeled, reviewing if they were worth it or not. We talk of load-outs, ordinance and skins. We argue the modeling of the environment and how to stop or reduce certain gamey tactics, topics that may have some historical merit but are really mostly dealing with game parameters, personal tastes, frustrations et al.
What nobody seems willing to admit is that …. no matter how historical the setting … no matter how painstakingly we try to mimic items and events of WWII (or not) … we play a game that is set in a virtual alternate reality. It’s already altered. We’re not WWII pilots flying WWII planes … during WWII. Wait, I know and sympathize – many of us want to immerse in what it may have been like. That was the inspiration for many of us. But we’re not ‘re-enactors’ (I recall DW having made that reference once and it brought a laugh).
This game is all about who can best who, as individuals and/or groups, with pixelated planes that resemble our favorite WWII aircraft (and tanks) on our PC displays(s) and through our speakers, using joysticks (and/or mouses) … some of us escaping the drudgery of our real lives and some of us gracing the rest of us with their presence.
My epiphany – since this is not a ‘re-enactment group’ – we can afford to color outside of history’s lines (at least as far as HTC is willing to go). The main arena(s) don’t resemble history, for the most part, anyhow, with terrains that don’t resemble anything on Earth from any age and Ponies dog-fighting Ponies and Spitfires chasing Spitfires. Even events are not expected to yield the same results, giving both sides a chance to ‘change history.’
Having said that, no, I don’t advocate helicopters and Sabre jets being modeled for the game in it’s current form (though a Korean arena/plane set would be kinda neat – that’s a lot of effort and expense without a HUGE chunk of the player community supporting it).
What I do advocate is … a series of events (or AN event) that would allow the history of WWII to be re-written from beginning to end. A combination of flight-sim and strategy game, if you will (not so unlike the ‘Axis and Allies’ board/pc game). Lets say it starts round about the time the U.S. enters the war (or shortly after – January, 1942) and runs until … well … one side or the other achieves the goals required to claim victory. That could be anywhere from 1942 (theoretically) to 1945 or 1946 or 1947, etc. The players representing the strategic leadership of either the Allies or the Axis would be in charge of determining not only strategic battle plans but allocating resources and even determining what areas of research and development will be pursued (the nicer toys would be more expensive to build).
That’s where a possible difference in advocating what should be modeled comes into play. It would no longer be a matter of ‘the B-29 is the best bomber for any chess piece on the Pizza map.’ It becomes ‘what was modeled and made in WWII that would have offered parity, had it been practical to produce and operate in larger numbers.’ A German heavy bomber, an Italian bomber, period, an allied jet fighter – if such a huge ‘Axis versus Allies’ event could be carried off, the research options and production potentials would require some of the roads not taken to be available. Well, except for the bomb. Though I suppose that could be incorporated into the event not so much as it being modeled but certain advances being made that could determine if one side or the other develops it then, well, they win.
Well …. enough rambling for now (and yeah, that’s really all it was).
*Bearing in mind HTC's stated limitations.
