And for some, that arena gameplay when it's good is what we want.
The Melee isn't the only game-play in AH. Are you saying Scenarios, TFT, FSO aren't fun?
Those are much more similar to BF than they are to the Melee. They have a definable beginning, middle, and end within a fixed time-frame with specified victory conditions. I'd say events are significantly more engaging than the wandering around aimlessly for days picking your nose activity of the Main.
My dream version of AH would be a hybrid mode very similar to BF. (Yeah, I know, hate on me.
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Balanced, 2-Sided ,1 hour mini-scenarios with defined victory conditions and limit clock. Divide up, choose flights, start the clock, take off, fight like Hell at maximum intensity for a 1 hour max sprint. Boom. Session scoreboard and stats. Winner or loser, beginning, middle, end within a time frame a play can get through in the time that evening they have to play. Swap maps and missions. 10 minute intermission. Again!
You could get more actual combat time in a setup like that in a night as you do in a month in the Melee. You could actually see the fruits of your effort within your evening, instead of always leaving things half finished. Players can run if they want, but they'll be losing within the hour. If they want to win, they'll have to fight for the points. Ticket-clock is ticking.
I was hoping maybe that was where WO:P was maybe headed, but apparently not.