Why I Should Venture Out Of My Shell

[Chilli]

First and far most, this is a post dedicated to a newly formed friendship due to Aces High 3, and more specifically the Axis Versus Allies Arena.  Of course there are many folks and squadmates from the decade + long fascination with this game that have given me just as much pleasure to get to know, but MadCap came along just at the right time while I was exploring a nearly empty AvA arena, anticipating the newly formed "Squad Mission Theater" on Tuesdays.

It was too early for the Mission Theater, which runs @ 9:00 pm EST, but when asked MadCap joined me on vox channel with intentions to mix it up over a beautiful North Africa map Tunisia.  I immediately found out what a great stick my new friend was as he easily maneuvered his early war Tomahawk around my supposedly nimble 190 A5, and directed several volleys of 50 caliber lead all over my pretty desert camouflaged bird, pounding it to dust and blazing flames. 

To add to this experience, we had no radar input, no icons and no interference.  Due to the friendly atmosphere and freedom from perk point worries, we repeated this fun exchange several more times, each time learning more about each other.  Both being drivers, I guess it was in our DNA to have this kind of quick clean action.  Anyhow,  MadCap and all those with HTC and the AvA that helped to make this possible.  I do recommend to step away from the familiar Main Arena play from time to time, and explore the full extent of what HTC has to offer. 

[zack1234]

My word!

[1stpar3]

Yup, Chilli nailed it again!!! I was gonna be there lastnight, but we had some fairly intense storms around that time. I am looking forward to the AVA nights If for no other reason than to make sure you can fight better with the TIR Not that you weren't good before lol I guess its because of the learning curve, that I am more use too? Hey, I need all the advantages I can get, you have played alot longer than I have

[Chilli]

Honestly, I think that FOV change has been the most beneficial to SA.  I tried everything from 85 to 117 FOV.  I have to say that 117 is way better than even 100.  I found myself having to ask other players where did the guy go..... with numerous replies that he is still behind you.

I know how it works, but missing the BROADER portion of the picture leaves me lost.  TIR is no doubt wonderful, but cannot compete with FOV for awareness, no matter how much I squirm 

[1stpar3]

I guess that makes an improvement on SA(fov high). ? I run fov 0f 93 and it matches my style of fighting. I love bomb****ing in my Spitxvi and have trouble spotting the tanks when fov is much higher. I would think that with the higher fov that the same could be said about air cons? Maybe if we had the old "DOT" rendering as before. I guess its all whatever you are used to. I did have to make a few curve adjustments to make 93 doable and I cant hit crap at higher fovs now. I have yet to encounter many situations that I lose track of a con during a fight or a vehicle for that matter. I do agree that SA is a bit tougher at my fov but I have my curves set pretty fast so a twitch and 6 is checked. Well unless I am in a F-6 or F-4. Nothing I know of can fix the rear views in those rides. Think maybe its a display size issue as well? I wasn't able to be any where near the SA I get now on my laptop I used in AH2. Once I got my new system and large monitor I was able to get comfortable with the lower FOV settings. Like I said though, its all in what you are use too and am glad that you enjoy the TIR  On second thought though...I haven't tried the 117 fov on this rig. I don't think so anyway?! Dang ole timers, a memory like steel...something or other. Oh right, steel trap lol

[Chilli]

Thanks for the tip 1stpar3, I adjusted my speed / curves and it does work a bit better to my advantage with TIR.  Not as much movement in my chair.... a big thanks for that.  My eyes / monitor are probably just as much to blame as you pointed out... so I will continue to tweak on that end also...     Hope to see you in the skies again soon my brothers 

[JimmyC]

I m sorry not to make it to this as it looks fun, bad timing for me,enjoy <S> Jimmy

[BBQsam]

Chilli above     "I tried everything from 85 to 117 FOV.  I have to say that 117 is way better than even 100. "

So is this better than the old ah2  106 setting for new ah3?     Anything special about the number 117  than say  116 or 118 fov setting?

[lunatic1]

almost sounds like the AVA-Squad mission theater-could be a new titianic Tuesday-but you'all already have FSO-what makes SMT different?

[1stpar3]

Well Lunatic, the difference between FSO and the AVA is the immersion. As I understand it, this is like LARPING but with air planes. Its a roll playing type format.

[DmonSlyr]

I sit a little further back in the cockpit, like to see my guns on the wing. I think it helps greatly for snap shots, when you can see the enemy come through your views earlier. Never liked zooming in right on the gunsite, think it makes it much harder to aim accuratly.


By the way, the AvA is such a fun arena. I really hope more people start to populate it. All you need is about 4-12 people in there and you got some good fights on your hands.

[jimson]

almost sounds like the AVA-Squad mission theater-could be a new titianic Tuesday-but you'all already have FSO-what makes SMT different?

Mission theater is not designed to compete with anything the SEA offers. It is different in that it has a bit of a role playing aspect. While you still use your in game name, you are given an identity and your scores and promotions are tied to this character. It is a one life mission but if you should die in a mission, you lose that character and his score, rank etc, but you are then given a new character as a new replacement pilot for the next week.

On the Allied side, it is portraying a specific unit throughout it's operational history.

Pilots are responsible for submitting their own claims, rather than having it scored by a logging program.

Command changes as the scores change and highest ranking player gets to be the flight commander. That player can run the mission informally or he can try to lead the squad however he chooses. (if they will listen) LOL.

Just as in RL, there will be bad leaders but it changes frequently

It's also run in an open arena and players can walk on and join the mission if they just want to play without the full character experience.

If they want that experience, they have to let us know so we can add them in. Right now we can only do that aspect with the Allied side.

It uses the staged mission system so side balancing isn't an issue. The number of player slots remains the same but AI pilots get replaced by human pilots.

This allows us to run it no matter how many players we get, because AvA is a low population arena, but it allows for a good number of real players to join in, which is a lot better than fighting AI.

So it's not really an "event", but an open mission night, that for those who choose, can have an additional experience.

Unfortunately, we don't yet have the manpower to provide the same experience for the Axis, but they can still come in and play.

We also use an outside website to try to provide some immersive eye candy.

In the process of changing over to this site http://missiontheater.net/

Poke around in there and read the admittedly non-professional AAR. Click on the blue button on that page to see the type of things we are doing on the website.

It's kind of a "beta" run to see if it might be popular and to learn how to improve it if it is.