Straw Poll

[Sloehand]

FEEDBACK WANTED!!!

[1] Do you intend to fly in the upcoming Scenario ‘Tunisia 1943’?

[2] If not, why not?

[3] And what can the event coordinators do to encourage you to join in to a Scenario in the future?

Explanation –

I think Brooke and Co. would really like to know the feeling of the community on this.  We all know that the CM’s work really hard to put on the scenarios (and FSO too) and are trying everything they can to make them a more enjoyable event.  But constructive feedback from the community is necessary to continue this process.

Tell us why you don’t, or won’t, or haven’t ever participate[d] in a Scenario.

I know people have played this game for lots of reasons over the years.  Some just like to furball, others like the win-the-war competition, some even like the sense of immersion into what it was like to fly and fight in WWII aircraft. 
Back in the day, which for me was just over 10 years ago, the very first scenario I was in was the first running of ‘Der Grosse Schlag’.  It was a phenomenal success.  More than 150 pilots per side, clashing over Germany in massed bomber attacks and spirited fighter melee’s.  I was forever hooked on the strategic planning aspect as well as the tactical execution of joint fighter missions, scouting and intercepting bomber streams inbound and outbound from trying to crush several targets in the Fatherland.  I got my highest number of kills of any scenario ever flying a Fw190 A-6 against B-17’s and B24’s.  The anticipation of combat was excitingly tense and exhilarating.  Even though it was just cartoon play acting, you couldn’t help buying into the urgency and commitment of the moment in trying to find the enemy bomber formations, tracking their movement while vectoring friendly fighter sweeps to the attack. I sensed the Allies too, were fully invested in their missions to win the battle, evidenced by the constant and persistent defense by P-38 Lightenings and P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts.
For me, this was and is, the epitome of enjoyment of a WWII air combat simulation game.  Quite simply, if you haven’t joined a Scenario before, for whatever reason, give it a chance.  Try it, you might like it. 
And if it’s turned you off in the past for some reason, well, I can only say that a number of players issues have been heard over the years, and Brooke has worked stupidly hard to alleviate them.  The battle spaces are now a little more compact allowing for faster and more frequent opportunities for combat.  Past concerns of squadrons flying around all frame, unable to intercept the enemy and engage in combat are now rare if not actually non-existent, as the last Scenario ‘Dneiper’ proved.  It was non-stop mayhem from Frame 1 through Fame 4, with the ebb and tide of each sides fortunes changing each frame.
Please, consider giving Brooke and the Scenario event builders a hand by providing them with some constructive feedback, so they can provide you and the AH community with an alternative way to enjoy Aces High III. 

[FESS67]

I flew in 2 FSO scenarios a couple of years ago.  In the first one we managed to get into 2 fights, both lasted a few minutes before the skies were clear.  In the 2nd one I saw 1 formation of 234 bombers and they were going to fast for us to catch them.  Never saw a fight at all.

I was so bored I determined to never try again.

The other day I did pop into the scenario and there were 6 players on.  I asked a question and no response was forthcoming so I left.  In another post it was explained that everyone was in combat and were unable to reply.  I accept that but I really have no desire to try again.

Now I know some will level all sorts of crap at me for not being patient enough and that the FSO scenarios are really good and I must have been unlucky  blah blah blah.  Truth is my experience was so poor I cannot see me trying it again.  I hope you can accept my comments and respect my honesty as that is what you requested.

[Sloehand]

I appreciate your response Fess.  However, from your post I think there may be some confusion.  The reason I say that is (and I may have mislead you in my wording at one point in the original post) you talk about 'FSO scenarios'.  They are two different events.  "FSO" is a type of Special Event held on Friday nights.  "Scenarios" are a different type of Special Event.  While they are somewhat similar, there are some significant rule/format differences.  My post was only trying give a nod of appreciation to the people who provide FSO's, but the main focus was on Scenarios. 
It's also possible, from the sound of your response, you might even be referring to one of the other, smaller Special Events like AvA, or a Snapshot, considering the small number of people you found there.  FSO typically involves 150 to 200 players, while Scenarios used to have as many as 300+, but now are around 150 or so.  The AvA doesn't usually have more than 2 or 3 dozen players (at least that I've ever seen), similar numbers for a Snapshot as well.
Further, while Scenarios do allow walk-ons on the days (usually 4 Saturdays in a row) of the event, they are eagerly greeted and asked which side they want to play on.  Unlikely you would have been ignored, unless you were way, way too early for the side C.O.s to be on.  FSO's on the other hand, don't allow walk-ons at all.  You must first contact a participating squad and ask to join them IN ADVANCE of a Friday night's event.  Most squads in FSO are also glad to accept additional pilots, but you have to have their permission before the event starts.
Not to belittle your response, I am a bit skeptical that what you tried to join was actually a Scenario, but more likely one of these other events.  And even if it was a Scenario, as I mentioned, in the past some players were put off by how large the event battle spaces were, and occasionally a squadron had a hard time finding a fight.  But the most recent Scenarios have been purposely set up to alleviate this issue, and combat is now exceedingly easy to find.  In fact, it usually finds you whether you're ready for it or not.   The last one "Dneiper", held last summer was extremely intense with non-stop action for everyone.  I don't remember a single complaint about being bored.
Further, the new 12 hour in one day format (as opposed to the 4 Saturdays format) has been run once before with great success.  This next one we expect will be the same as it was specifically asked for my the players.  You will be able to fly anytime you want during the day, for as long or as little as you want, you can come and go when you want, all day long.  And with UNLIMITED number of lives.  Plus we're expecting more pilots at certain times for this one because with the 12 hour timeframe, European players will join in as well.
In any event, I do appreciate your responding.  If I can help clarify anything or provide you with any more information about the Scenarios, or the FSO's which I play as well, please just ask.  Handle is the same in the game as in here.   

[Lusche]

Background: I did fly/drive in four scenarios.


[1] No

[2] I very much dislike 'being in uniform', sticking to a formation, following orders, not being able to do 'my thing', not being able to go AFK for extended times.
I absolutely HATE 'being in uniform' and not seeing any action for hours, which has happened more than once to me. I actually had two frames where I never saw any enemy at all. The only scenario that was really fun to me was the original DGS. The rest was work. I hate work.

[3] Nothing. I'm afraid a scenario that would allow players to do what they want on an individual level would not be a scenario any more

[Vudak]

I plan on playing. The 12 hour format is better for me because it is far easier for me to schedule and work around commitments one long day than to take up 4 weekends in a row.

[FESS67]

Thanks for the response. For clarity.
I tried FSO twice as part of an authorised squad.  Bored me beyond belief, will not try again.

Tried to join a scenario last week.  Walk ons welcome.  Tried to walk on, was not welcomed.  Will not try again.

Happy to stay in MA.

I think there is no confusion on my end

[Chalenge]

I enjoy scenarios quite a bit. Scored pretty high in a few. Had a few issues with caustic players. Squad participation dropped. Adopted Rorschach attitude.

[Dobs]

Looking forward to my first scenario--as are the rest of the newly formed 475thFG.

Feedback will be forthcoming.

Dobs

[DmonSlyr]

Yes, I will be attending.


The only thing I will hope that can be coordinated is that squads are able to find each other and create big fights. If there is no large action squad fights, there will be a lot of people who get bored. I find that if teams can coordinate to where more squads run into each other and create large action furballs, you will see a lot of excitement and will get good results.

[Dawger]

As a recent returnee my experience is from Scenarios long ago.

The whole process of selecting CO's, assigning a fixed number of slots and then signing up players to join a new unit is quite cumbersome and can result is significant difficulties for groups that are already well established to try to fit into the process, especially if you cant get everyone from your group into the same unit in the scenario.

The 475FG is signed up to fly the Tunisia 1943 scenario but there have already been rumblings of not accommodating all of our members into one unit, flying together.

That was my biggest gripe in the past. The group was often split up and/or assigned to leaders who tried to force the group to conform to their vision of operations instead of allowing us to operate together with our own flight leads filling their accustomed roles.

In the real world, rank rules on the ground but ability (in this context experience as a team) leads the flying and it should be the same in the scenario.

An established structure for administration prior to the events and during the event to assign units to particular objectives is great but, for established units wishing to fly together, some allowance should be made so that those units can participate as a unit with tactical control exercised by their internal staff under direction of the Scenario Unit CO's.

This is meant as an honest response to the OP's questions and not any sort of slight towards anyone involved with this or any other Scenario.

[Lazerr]

Yes,

Its a nice change of pace rather than fighting a pack of la7s/spit16s and other latewar hogs.  Historical matchups have always struck my interest.

[Oldman731]

[1] Do you intend to fly in the upcoming Scenario ‘Tunisia 1943’?

[2] If not, why not?

[3] And what can the event coordinators do to encourage you to join in to a Scenario in the future?

I intend to fly a 202 in the Tunisia scenario - with a proviso that applies to the third question.  I've never flown in a scenario before because I just can't commit to be here much more than a day before (if then!).  The most useful thing that the scenario people have done over the past couple of years, IMHO, is this 12-hour, come-when-you-can notion.  I've read that it worked before, and I hope it works for me this time.

- oldman

[BuckShot]

I've been in a few walk on scenarios.

One was fun, in another I couldn't find the enemy, and in another I flew for an hour, got shot down immediately and could not take off again (one plane).

I have been invited to and flew FSO a few nights, but I don't have the patience for the loooong flight to get to the fights.

Pearl harbor is a very fun one.

I wish I could commit to this long one, but can't.

[Rich46yo]

Probably not. I'll have to work. If not for that then yes, I do enjoy scenarios.

[Sloehand]

Thanks for the response. For clarity.
I tried FSO twice as part of an authorised squad.  Bored me beyond belief, will not try again.

Tried to join a scenario last week.  Walk ons welcome.  Tried to walk on, was not welcomed.  Will not try again.

Happy to stay in MA.

I think there is no confusion on my end

Fess -
There is confusion on your part, because you seem to think that a weekly FSO event is a Scenario and it is NOT.  An FSO (which is what you actually tried to join last week) IS NOT A SCENARIO, which is something completely different.  I know this because of your statement "Tried to join a scenario last week".  There was no scenario last week or the week before.  There was an FSO held last week, and the week before that, and will also be held this week.  The very last Scenario was held this last summer, over two months ago.

I'm pretty sure you are responded with your opinion of FSO's and not Scenarios. Two different types of Special Event.  I'm wanting responses on Scenario's only, not FSO's.  There are significant differences between them.   Because of your responses so far, I don't think you've ever been in a "SCENARIO".  It's set up differently than an FSO, and you join up in a different way as well.  You might want to investigate a Scenario sometime.