Gentlemen, I don’t know how many of you still remember the old flight sim classic “Fighter Ace” but that would be a great model for the AH team to consider if they truly want to see Aces High move toward the top once again. Fighter Ace was an exceptional flight sim because it was very inclusive and more appealing to all classes of pilots; Newbies, Super Jocks and Oldies like me. As a real pilot almost 40 years I found that Fighter Ace offered a great balance between realism and simple gaming that appealed to everyone. Unfortunately, that balance doesn’t exist in AH but it certainly could. Simplicity is the answer if the AH team are really interested in growing their membership and reducing their defections. The game has become way too sophisticated for the average Joe that’s just looking for a relaxing evening of flying action. As a matter of fact read this quote by Leonardo da Vinci:
Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication Leonardo da Vinci
More often than not we have the tendency to complicate rather than simplify. We assume that sophistication equals results, brilliance, performance, and intelligence but it doesn’t. More information, more choices, and more products are not better. In fact it is the exact opposite more is actually less and can cause your audience to disengage. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
Old Leonardo got this one right in my opinion and the proof is in the pudding when it comes to AH. Newbies are turned off because they can’t get a leg up against the super jocks that rule the skies and the Oldies like me are leaving because we simply can’t compete with the younger generation that’s not burdened with slow reflexes, hearing aids and progressive trifocals…Lol.
I think it’s time for a realistic yet simplistic arena designed for everyone. Here are the parameters:
(1) Turn every freaking thing on but most of all FULL DAR . Seeing everything is a good thing and fair to all !!!
(2) Turn daylight on 24/7 and eliminate this stupid night flying crap.
(3) Clear the haze off the horizon so us older guys can see better. I just don’t understand the need for haze and you were actually able to clean it up under the old version…why the change??? Seeing is always better!!!
(4) Simplify taking a scene. Example: Take down AAA and 50% of the buildings, drop troops for a 60 sec run without all being killed and take the scene. Something like that would allow squads to really do something in a couple hours, earn a few medals and feel a since of accomplishment…what’s wrong with that???
(5) Eliminate one of the countries and I don’t care which! All we need are two countries so we can keep the action moving regardless of low numbers.
(6) Allow all prop driven aircraft (no jets) to be flown by anyone anytime. My favorite aircraft is the corsair/20mm and I haven’t flown that bird more than a few hours in over 8 years of flying in AH. With all due respect, that’s simply ridiculous.
(7) Open up the old dueling arena with 2 sides and shorten the distance. Practice is essential to becoming a good fighter pilot and for newbies to build confidence…what’s wrong with that?
With these few simple changes I know close to a dozen pilots that would move back or join AH for the first time.
Now I understand that no one likes change when they’re flying high but sometimes change is necessary for the good of all. I’m 70 and it really doesn’t make much difference to me because I really don’t care much about getting shot down and scores mean nothing to me. It’s all about having a good time with some great guys that enjoy aviation as I do. Just remember what good old Leonardo said:
Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication