it might not be a bad idea to have a separate "AI arena" that has constant AI missions running in a two-sided war.
...newer players to gain some confidence before throwing themselves to the wolves in the MA. There would be no score kept, to insure eventual migration to the MA.
It's not a good idea to separate the population like this. The game can be structured to bring scenario types to the MA and have activities available to them at all times. Switching from a furballing game to a scenario should be fast and simple, not restricted by schedules and population segregation.
I didn't really like the idea of player controlled large-formations simply because of the possibility of dick-moves.
That's what rules and restrictions are for. All the best games have them.
AI bomber gunners are quite accurate,
They can be adjusted.
Due to the fact that it takes quite awhile to get to altitude and then to target, which can all be 'ruined' by one interceptor who knows what they are doing.
That's why 8 drones is not a logical choice.
That way it will be possible to have more than 5 or so formations of bombers. It's rather uncommon to see multiple bomber formations anymore, that are together for the same target.
That's why 24 is!
There already are a few AI missions going on in the playroom arena: http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,364012.0.html
With 86 views and zero comments I have no idea if anyone has even tried them.
The AI mission system has many issues and AFAIK it is currently not possible to make a working mission. The one's in the playroom are the only one's I have that work online right now.
I have faith that it will eventually be sorted out...
If players were allowed large formations the only issues that would need to be sorted out would be some simple game changes that would actually make the game better. Player PCs would handle drones and no further burden to the host is needed.
The problem I foresee with the AI missions attacking the strats is that they will pull people away from the frontlines and engage lone bombers. I feel that people will not escort a long range bomber mission with the possibility of finding enemy fighters, but they might follow a low to mid altitude bomber raid for a few sectors. If the town is white flagged they might stick around and force a fight, or they could capture it. I remember when I first started playing ET37 was regularly running his missions and those raids always produced a fight.
If people are engaging in any activity in the game, they must prefer that activity over others.
Your solution is to ignore what you believe is a significant number of players who enjoy other activities... Not a wise business policy.
The more activities there are in the game, the more people will subscribe; and the more subscribers, the more people going back and forth between activities in the game each time they get bored.
