I agree with Dale and Doug, single infantry style gameplay is not what Aces High is about. And it's also called Aces High for a reason, we all get that. And they have introduced new game elements that helps integrate different types of gameplay for a richer experience. We now have tanks, battleships, carriers, destroyers, and PT boats all for that same reason. And it really helps integrate and enrich the gaming experience with different types of gameplay. Attacking moving targets, bombing tanks, bombing ships, AAA defence on the ground and on ships. It's all about immersion right?
I'd like to bring up an idea I had when we were all discussing what could we add to Aces High that not only could add a HUGE gaming element, but could be done with with some work that could explode our player base, and add a new game dynamic. It could also spawn other development units for Aces High, including adding elements never conceived before to enhance the gameplay and assist in base capture. It's called
The infantry unit.Remember when Close Combat came out from Microsoft back in 1999? It added a completely new game element that you never saw before! Controlling your squad took patience, time, and planning. Now, imagine having that same control with an M3 or a C-47 to carry your infantry unit with a specific task in mind? Destroy Hangers! Sneak attack to take out AAA installations. Barracks! Fuel! Take out tanks! But of course, soldiers would be still vulnerable to same base and town AAA, tanks, and airplanes.
My proposal includes a simple element - a very very simple close combat type of interface, but without the complexity. Each infantry unit has 2 MG, 2 anti-tank, and the (5) rest riflemen. They can be assigned to take out various field components, or hunt and destroy field units one by one, capture a town, until field AA take them out, or if tanks or field artillery destroy them. To capture a base, you would need to first capture the town, and then capture the base. You would first set their target after selecting the unit, and then the delivery vehicle - tracks or propellers. You could launch raiding parties from your carrier! Launch a sneak attack into a quiet airfield by troop only. And all the soldiers are AI only. No FPS please - leave that for the Battlefield games.
The infantry units are:
- completely under your control and only you
- dependant on you for target assignment and movement and re-targeting.
- are susceptible to strafing, AAA, tanks, artillery, rockets, bombs, lions, tigers, and bears.
- can be launched from a base to protect a particular area (i.e. protect the town map room, or a shore battery)
- can be launched from all the same methods we have for troops today
- can be assigned tasks (such as capturing a town, blow up/destroy airfield items, shore battery emplacements)
- will engage and destroy AAA emplacements with ease.
- if they loose members, slows down their task completion time for destroying items
- will not set of any proximity alarm or trip AAA until they destroy a field/town item
- will break out to the macarena if they capture a base :D
How can we make this work?
