Hi everyone,
Seriously, I am actually feeling really sad about the game in general.
I've been flying since FA, maybe 6 years now. I've had bad spells before and taken a break. But recently I've felt like quitting altogether.
I don't consider myself particularly good pilot, as much as I try, so I am not about to say I'm so much better than everyone else - far from it. But, the standard of flying I am seeing become more and more prevalent is dire. When players are asked if they have any interest in ACM we get sarcastic, smartass retorts.
New players don't spend any time in the training room - I pop in there occasionally, unlike when I first came to AH there never anyone there. There always used to be trainers, not any more. I've offered to help new players, a couple have even shown some enthusiasm, but never took me up on the offer. There is little or no interest from new players from enjoying the spirit of the game as a simulation.
Ho'ing is the expected norm from 90% of the encounters I am involved with.
Players with alt and E advantage run away from a 1-to-1 fight.
Players ditch, bail and even Alt-F4 to avoid being killed.
Ramming is not uncommon. Last night I had 5 enemy planes on me and one resorted to ramming me from above because he couldn't hit and he was so desperate to bring me down.
I'm sad because, like so many, I've put a crazy amount of time into learning and trying to be a better player. Yet now the game is rarely any fun at all.
Having said all that, I'd like to try and keep positive. We need to accept that things are not as they should be and work together to find ways to put it right.
The first suggestion I would like to make is that all new players HAVE to spend a certain amount of time in the training room and in a special new player arena. In this way they could learn how to fly, but even more importantly, they could learn how to become a part of the "community". I suggest that volunteers are called for to spend as much time as they are happy to commit towards an Instructor rota. I suggest that the training room is covered for different time zones. (I will volunteer if such a plan is put in place.)
I am sure more of you will have ideas. How about a change in the scoring system? How about a change in the number of countries?
When something is not going well, either change occurs or it dies. The way it is now, more and more players are leaving the game and in a years time, who knows, what will we be left with?
Thank you for taking the time to read my posting. All I ask is that you give a little thought before replying and if you disagree with me, at least be positive and constructive.
Pandora <S>