Any thoughts of making the game full time "Axis vs Allies" is the dagger that will kill this game in weeks instead of years that we all hope we still have. Any other flight sim game that tried to run a A vs A type playfield even for shot amounts of time lost all kinds of population. If it was such a good idea IL2 would have much bigger servers and much larger crowds playing it.
GRAPHICS, it seems that is always the first thing everyone complains about here..... "20 year old graphics". Are the graphics that bad? I dont think so, but some things could use a bit more? Maybe. We have had "Speed Trees" for a long time yet nothing has changed....except the complaints of too many trees
A quick look at the site shows some amazing views....
Maybe the tree/land textures could use a bit of tweaking. Not sure how it works, but is it just the use of the program that is needed to tweak them?
Adding to the "flash-bang" aspect couldnt the explosions be beefed up, maybe add some where we dont have anything now like when a building explodes, maybe bigger hit sprites and so on. The game isnt a "flight sim" per say.. ask anyone that plays DCS.... so add a few gamyer elements for that "flash bang" crowd. In VR this game is awesome. Put a few explosions in their face and listen to them giggle!
Add a free element to the game. 10-12 free planes/vehicles in the MA all the time. A couple of buffs, a couple of tanks, a goon and M3 for supply/troops and 4-6 fighters. Sure the "new guys" will have there butts handed to them, but by playing the game and learning to work with others they will learn how deep the game is and Im sure will move to the subscription.
Volunteers, There are a number of players who are retired. Some I am sure have talents that could be used in the game. We have skinners and map makers, why not some guys to work on new explosions, trees, textures, tiles and so on. I know I would love to contribute to the game as much as I can to help it along, Im sure there are others.
Resubmit to Steam or other gamers sites. I dont know how much it costs to do so, but Im thinking its less than a TV ad and might have a much better target audience. Have some volunteers on hand for the opening to help players coming in, give them the "blue text" to stand out and help players. Every 5 minutes or so send a "how to use ingame text" message so the first thing they can do is talk, and ask questions. Do this 24 hours strait for a week just to get as many as you can into the game as easily as possible, hand feed the newbies.
It would be cool if 20 year players first communications with new players weren't talking smack.
I always thought there should be more MODs. Unfortunately we live in a world where everyone can/will take offense at the smallest thing. There is "smack talking" and then there is abuse and sometimes its a very fine line between the two. Some player seem to thrive on crossing that line and drive players away. Id rather see those players hammered with mutes and suspensions and even bans to hopefully keep from running off other players.
More MODs could also be used as a committee that could gather evidence of poor game play and drop it on Hitechs desk. This way things like the "YKW" incident dosent carry on so long again chasing players away.
Any player with more than 5 years experience limited to mid war planes and below..
Eagler
I dont like limiting players. Let them fly what ever they want, but lets say they only get credit for half a kill toward score. Those that fly the monsters to only rack up quick easy kills for score may change planes. Of course those that just want to see their name in lights will continue but it might move some out of those planes.
Adjust ENY. Some planes/vehicles are way out of wack, Yaks, T34, and so on. You could also add better earnings to some of the mid war planes for "perk farming". As it is a G2 with a kill gets you a couple perks, double it and see how many people start flying them to build perks.
Why build perks? so you can pay for your magic ride when ENY kicks in. If your team is hit with ENY, you can pay perks to get that pony you just have to have. Im not sure how long it takes, or could take with ENY/perk adjustments added do build a usable bank of perks, but once that time is known it would adjust the clearing of perks from the bank. Purge the perks so everyone starts fresh, and purge them every tour, or every other tour to keep from having the thousands of perks some players have.
I think the biggest issue is Hitech. If he is willing to jump in Im sure things would change for the better. If he just wants to maintain and provide a playground for those of us still around, not much will change. As always, the ball is in his court.
