A little AI in the lonely places....

[CptTrips]

In the WWI arena, or even in Ava, it might be helpful to have a couple of fields off to the side that has the drones circling or even better some AI patrolling that you could spawn at and fight them.

The purpose of this is so you can show a presence in the arena in case any one checks and decides to pop in.  At that point, you could go back over to the fields where humans play.  That would make it a lot more palatable to hang out in lower traffic arenas waiting was someone to join.  Everyone probably checks those areas, but doesn't see anyone in there, so they don't go in themselves.   Everyone is waiting on someone else to go in.    I can only stand about 30 min hanging out in an empty WWI arena waiting for action when all I can do is fly loops and strafe trees.

I know, it's sad, but it might help. 

[Vraciu]

+1

Random drone Bombers, Goons, etc. to shoot would be nice. 

[Greebo]

As a Euro time zone player I'd really like to see this too. There's not enough players on during the evenings to make it worth logging on to the MA and I am too tired late at night when things get busier. Some might say, "well you can set an AI arena up now" but I think to be popular a WW1 (or WW2) AI-based AvA setup would need to be a constantly-up arena with scores and so on.

Rather than just a few circling drones I'd like to see a WW1 AvA arena with AI two seaters and fighter escorts patrolling up and down the trenches, plus some observation balloons etc. A bit like the old Red Baron offline game I played to death ages ago. Perhaps the host could constantly adjust relative numbers of Axis or Allied AI pilots according to how many players are in the air for each side. Players could either spawn a plane from a field as normal or jump into one of the AI fighters.

[TWCAxew]

+1

It would also be cool if players could set the missions. A little bit like a chess game. Or "tower defense game". Maybe give the players involved a bit of the feeling that they are the commander. It's already pretty fun to do so in a scenario but than without all the hard work around it.

I think in the MA player's won't appreciate the change though.

When I flew cliffs for a bit (dumb game I know) I liked the leadfarm the best. They had drones flying around and you could fight them. That was actually more fun than fighting actual player.

[Slade]

+100

[ccvi]

Why only in the lonely places? Offload boring tasks to AI. Noone like to drive resupply or bring troops, but it is so important/powerful that players will do it, even though it is less fun than other things. If there was a way to command AI for simple things, somewhat limited, not more than 1 AI vehicle at a time and/or for the price of perk points or similar, that would leave more room for the less important but more fun activities.

What might be a wing of 2 or 3 furballs today might morph into 2 or 3 sets of bombers with escorts. What might be a couple of fighters closing in on a field to vulching might morph into some GVs with air support. GVs might have their personal supply truck. Etc.

If there's a maximum of 1 AI vehicle to be controlled, at the touch of a button the player could switch between the primary and AI one. A bit like multi-boxing, or "lost vikings".

[CptTrips]

Rather than just a few circling drones I'd like to see a WW1 AvA arena with AI two seaters and fighter escorts patrolling up and down the trenches, plus some observation balloons etc. A bit like the old Red Baron offline game I played to death ages ago. Perhaps the host could constantly adjust relative numbers of Axis or Allied AI pilots according to how many players are in the air for each side. Players could either spawn a plane from a field as normal or jump into one of the AI fighters.

+1

[bustr]

I thought back somewhere 2010-2012 the AvA guys tested running Ju88 with escorts full time and the fights were not to bad. They ended up on the deck with the AI picking you from underneath. But, it was fast and busy action.

AH3 beta we tested massive BoB raids and 1944 8thAAF bomber stream attacks. Not much different from attacking or defending bombers in FSO. In FSO the fighters are slightly less aggressive until after the bombs drop. 

[atlau]

Would AI opponents be possible in matchplay?

[CptTrips]

Would AI opponents be possible in matchplay?

I don't know about that, but there could certainly be a matchplay map with a set of canned missions attached like:
1 p51 vs 1 p51 co-alt
1 p51 vs 1 p51 alt-advantage
1 p51 vs 1 p51 alt-disadvantage
2 p51 vs 2 p51 co-alt
2 p51 vs 2 p51 alt-advantage
2 p51 vs 2 p51 alt-disadvantage
1 spitIX vs 1 spitIX co-alt
1 spitIX vs 1 spitIX alt-advantage
1 spitIX vs 1 spitIX alt-disadvantage

You would start up a Custom Arena with the MatchPlay map and select a canned mission.

A bright kid like Bustr could build that today with current technology.  No effort needed from HTC.