FSO Spirit of Intent

[AKKuya]

Been reading the concerns of the player base.  Opinions are important by all sides.  This post will be a diplomatically neutral message.


Aces High is a WW2 air combat simulator computer game.  The aircraft and ground vehicles are configured to the specs of the real world counterparts to the best of programming allowed.

Friday Squad Operations is a player volunteered run and played by player community.  FSO is taking the available aircraft designed capability and pitting them against each other in a simulated battle. 

FSO CM Designers have the hardest part in trying to match up evenly the opposing aircraft.  Most of the time, things are even, however some things do get uneven on occasion.  Things look good on paper, then operationally shows the truth.

FSO CICs are tasked with creating Orders for a battle plan.  This is the most crucial part of FSO.  Plans look great in design but when the planes are in the air.  Great plans can go awry.

Squad COs are tasked with carrying out the CIC Orders.  This is the make or break part of the event.  Are the Orders followed or ignored?

FSO Players is where the rubber meets the road.  Most of the aircraft used in FSO are hangar queens in the Melee Arena.  Most of the players fly fighters in the MA and have no bomber experience or very little experience.  At the same time, we have FSO players who are great in both roles.

The best part of FSO is the fluidity of combat.  The unknown of who you will be fighting?  Are the opposing players noobs or killer veterans in the assigned aircraft?  Are you and your squad noobs or killer veterans in your assigned aircraft?  Did the CIC create exceptional or lousy Orders?  Did the squads follow the Orders or go off on their own?  Where you in the wrong place or right place during the fog of war?  So many variables too list.

Is FSO perfect?  No. 

Can you help with making FSO better?  Yes.  Posting your opinions and concerns is a great step. 

Just like customer service, you can't please 100% of the customers 100% of the time.  We try the best we can.

All players are welcome to publicly post their questions, concerns, or opinions.  Players are welcome to PM any CM member.

 

[Vulcan]

What would be really handy is if one of the plane buffs could do a chat showing times aircraft were 'active'.

[Spikes]

What would be really handy is if one of the plane buffs could do a chat showing times aircraft were 'active'.

Like this post?
https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,386682.0.html

[Devil 505]

What would be really handy is if one of the plane buffs could do a chat showing times aircraft were 'active'.

The problem is that a huge part of the "When" question is also the "Where" question.

For example, the Spitfire Mk. Vb entered service in the spring of 1941, but was relegated to use from England for an entire year before some were deployed to Malta in March 1942. It was not until August 1942 that they began operations in North Africa. It was not until January 1943 that the type began use against the Japanese.

[captain1ma]

keep up the good work. while some things are not realistic and up to snuff, you all do the best you can with what you have. if hitech had more planes to choose from, maybe things would be better. then again maybe they wouldnt. some people will always complain no matter what.

i choose to take what im given, and work with it.

thanks to the CM team for all they do. they do a good job for an unpaid thankless position. keep up the good work!

<S>

Jaeger1

[Vulcan]

The problem is that a huge part of the "When" question is also the "Where" question.

For example, the Spitfire Mk. Vb entered service in the spring of 1941, but was relegated to use from England for an entire year before some were deployed to Malta in March 1942. It was not until August 1942 that they began operations in North Africa. It was not until January 1943 that the type began use against the Japanese.

Yes but this is not supposed to be a perfect simulation of the battle. Otherwise all the luftweenies would be high on meth.

It is supposed to be fun balanced recreation. Throw out the fun and no one will come.

[AKKuya]

It is supposed to be fun balanced recreation. Throw out the fun and no one will come.

Can you define fun?  Will that definition apply to all players?

[Devil 505]

Yes but this is not supposed to be a perfect simulation of the battle. Otherwise all the luftweenies would be high on meth.

It is supposed to be fun balanced recreation. Throw out the fun and no one will come.

There are ways to balance events without resorting to including planes that did not participate in the battle being represented. Substitutes are one thing, but it ceases to be representative if inaccurate planes are added on a whim.

[SlipKnt]

I would like to add that FSO staff are VERY adaptable and do our best to make changes where and when they do make sense, often times behind closed doors and at times can be heated conversations.

My point is that we do hear y'all when you have constructive content for us to consider and it does help.  All I ever ask from you all (player base) is use tact and fact.  If something seems "off" just reach out.  We do listen and we do attempt to balance as closely as we can. 

Keep bringing your friends and try to get some of those "old timers" to resubscribe to AH3 and get back into FSO.  Our numbers are slowly growing.  It is great to see some of the older players making a comeback and equally energizing to see new players. 

We can not do this without you all. 

See ya Friday night. 

<<S>>
AkKnoT
(SlipKnoT)

P.S.  SEA1 is set up for Frame 3 now if anyone needs to load the map.  See ya!

 

[waystin2]

I have always thought the historical matchups were less important than balance and fun in an AH event.  It may be a Pig thing but just give everyone similar toys and may the best pilots come out on top. OINK

[whiteman]

I have always thought the historical matchups were less important than balance and fun in an AH event.  It may be a Pig thing but just give everyone similar toys and may the best pilots come out on top. OINK

That sounds like the MA.

[waystin2]

That sounds like the MA.

Howdy Tex!  Nah could not be more different.  Melee arena is anything goes, with anything, at any time-no rules whatsoever.  FSO always has specific objectives, equipment, time constraints, rules of engagement, etc.  If they aircraft were the same for each side, these requirements would still have to be met.  It just lacks a "historical" matchup.

[Spikes]

History is an integral part of FSO.

[RufusLeaking]

History is an integral part of FSO.

Yes. Historical, restricted plane sets are integral.

We are ahistorical in packing action into a 2 hour window and (most of the time) having simultaneous attack/defend missions.

A lot of "not fun" is removed, like weather, maintenance, aircrew quality and actually dying.

Many of us in this game, and FSO in particular, are hard core airplane nerds. I pointed out the B-25 in the National Museum of the Pacific War (https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/) that the model was incorrect for the Doolittle Raid. The teen at the counter was not amused.

The challenge in FSO is to take the history and add fun and suspense as to the outcome.

Salute to the volunteers that keep this event going.

[SlipKnt]

Yes. Historical, restricted plane sets are integral.

We are ahistorical in packing action into a 2 hour window and (most of the time) having simultaneous attack/defend missions.

A lot of "not fun" is removed, like weather, maintenance, aircrew quality and actually dying.

Many of us in this game, and FSO in particular, are hard core airplane nerds. I pointed out the B-25 in the National Museum of the Pacific War (https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/) that the model was incorrect for the Doolittle Raid. The teen at the counter was not amused.

The challenge in FSO is to take the history and add fun and suspense as to the outcome.

Salute to the volunteers that keep this event going.

Perfectly stated!