Thank you Sabre for the response. That does more to inform me about why the CT is where it is today than anything else I've seen so far. A shame I hadn't seen a post like that a week ago
My frustrations would have been considerably eased before my response to Sling.
Oh, and Westy--thanks for the posts. I'm still laughing.
"How the **** do you know what the average AH player will enjoy? "
Poor Westy, can't ask a question without resorting to the use of swear words. Are you still going to claim you're totally emotionally detached? So, what color is the sweater and skirt, and do you carry a baton or pom-poms?
"Well...OK, J_A_B, so it clearly does not presently have mass appeal, and perhaps never will. What would you do to change it, while still maintaining a historical arena approach? " --Oldman
Right now I think the first thing they need is BOTH the CT and the MA re-named, combined with a new "advertising campaign" for the CT. The CT team made a large error in using up most of their "attention time" when their arena was still not using its full potential, and they're now suffering the same fate as WW2OL is.
I still feel the "totally new map/planeset every other week" is a mistake that will drive away the casual player. Far from feeling like WW2, it feels more like a time machine warping around between different battles. As soon as version 1.09 becomes available they should (IMO) switch to a more permanent system and use a WarBirds-style RPS combined with a 2-sided Axis vs Allied planeset. After more early-pacific planes become available they could possibly take this even a setp further and alternate every other month between Europe and the PAC, although that might not be a good idea since the PAC doesn't generate the same kind of interest that the ETO does.
As an alteration of that (perhaps a better alternative), would be a modified version of the current setup, but offer more continuity. For example, with the 2-week planesets, they could do a 1941 ETO for two weeks followed by a 1943 ETO for 2 more weeks using the same terrain but with the newer airplanes. This would simulate the "march of technology" and reduce the "new arena every other week" feeling that the CT currently suffers from. With version 1.09, they could do say 1940, 1941, 1943, 1945 all in a row.
You could also do a 1941/1943 Mediterranian theatre month with the current planeset--in fact it'd be great fun.
Obviously, with AH's current planeset, it would be more practical to use 2-week planesets. You will exhaust your options too quickly alternating it every week. Furthermore, weekly rotations to totally different theaters makes the "not connected to reality" problem even worse--it will create a sense of detachment.
I think I would stick with the 3K ICONS. This setting seems popular. If people were to start complaining about it though I would not hesitate to switch back to 6K ICONS.
I'm not sure how AH's DAR setup works, so I don't know exactly what IS possible and what ISN'T. If possible, I would eliminate DOT DAR completely, but leave BAR DAR available over the entire arena. I would also leave BAR DAR off under 500 feet. Not having DAR BAR arena-wide is a monumental mistake and that right there drives away a fair number of players.
I would have no perk planes in the CT unless absolutely necessary. Perk rides don't belong in a supposedly historical arena. I would, however, limit the use of planes that are "too good" (like the Tempest or Me-262), probably by keeping them at limited bases. A 1945 ETO setup, by my standards, would feature (in addition to Goonies and ground vehicles):
Allies: Spit 9, P-38L, P-47D30, P-51D, B-26B, Typhoon, Mossie, Hurri 2D, all unlimited. Tempest, B-17G and LANC would be at limited bases only.
Axis: 109G6, 109G10, 190A5, 190A8, 190F8, 190D9, Ta 152, Ju-88. Jets would be at certain fields only.
Such a setup would involve the Germans being defensive and having to hold off the Allies, thus making up for their lack of a competative bomber. Strato buffs would be discouraged by use of unlimited 152's. Special bonus would be given to the Germans if they managed to puch the Allies far enough back.
I would also make dang sure that the maps I used were sized to fit the player base--no 512x 512 monstrosities that are made for 1000 players. 128 x 128 is plenty big.
You will notice that much of what I recommend for the CT is stuff that I am dead set against for the MA. Just because I don't like something for an MA setting doesn't mean I don't like it at all. I just get POed at attempts to, essentially, turn the MA into an HA.
J_A_B