Oh right, surprising retention once it stabilised +200ish pilots.
Still, that sharp decline 2009-10 is crazy, I think that was the period of the NOEs being made obsolete by lowered DAR alt?
I believe that was about the time during the arena split, and many squads couldn't fly with each other anymore. I was very much against it from the start.
While the #s have been slowly decreasing. I think the biggest reasons is the lack of aircombat on the maps that has reduced time/kill. While more players leave, the far distances and time/kill had a bigger impact. Now with huge maps during off hours, players have a lot longer time to find action. With bigger maps and lower #s, the fights are spread out across the map and it produces less big fights in one area. I also believe the 12 hours rule hurt fighters because if there is a big fight across the map, and you cannot fly there or switch, While you side has 0 action, they will log in boredom for something more actionable. I've always thought that 3 hours was a much more reasonable time.
I actually think we need a GV dar, just not one that pinpoints where thr tanks are. If there is no dar, you have no idea how many tanks there are, and a flashing base doesn't represent how much action there is. Do you roll for only one guy? Or is there 10 guys there that pops you 5 minutes after you get out there. Only a flashing base doesn't show how much action there is for new players.
I think non perked planes like the spit16, la7, yak3 and 190D, have also deterred a lot of vet players because they constantly get tracked down and ganged by them. These planes get thousands of more kills than others and it creates an embalance where everyone flys super planes to compete. It makes it very challenging.
Just my thoughts.
Regarding this issue, I don't know enough about tanks, but if they shoot and the bullet hits, that's the way it is. Would happen in real life if by accident. I do think enemy tanks should not show distance on planes. It would make it a little more challenging for wirbles to end your 10 minute sortie in a 1 ping Instant death out of no where. That's what really grinds my gears sometimes.