The lowest #s are usually the largest maps during the day. BowlMA, craterMa, and ocoenia being worst. Other maps not performing well ive seen include USA map and 3 points. I could always tell when Buzzsaw was on just by the #s. Usually 20 people less than average. For me, since I dont have much time to play, If I dont see a battle, im probably gonna play a round of DCS or battlefield and then check back in. I just dont really care about Jabo anymore. My thrill is shooting people down and putting together a great fight and sortie with 3 plus kills. If I cant seem to find that on the map, than ill come back later. Weekend afternoon MA #s have been pretty dismal. This leads to a slower evening build up. Its all about getting people into fights early in the day and keep players in the fights later into the evening. This is achieved by maps that produce good battles.
I know I sound like a broken record. But ive been doing this for years now and can spot trends. I started taking a bunch of pictures of maps during night and day, but felt it would be too much to explain.
Maps like Ndisels are the perfect size maps. Where each front isnt so huge, but it does provide much opportunity for battles. Im not a fan of furball islands though but at times it does provide for a lot of fun.
Overall I think the key is balance to where both sides cant gang one side so much, and completely put them out of the fight so they cant find action when the tide changes and they are left taking back undefended bases.
Of the 20 maps we have left, all of them are the same size except BowlMA. So its not the "size" of the map your complaining about, but more likely the layout. From what I understand the guys who build these things try to funnel fights on each front. Youd have to ask Kong and Kenai, but that is what I think they try to do, create fights.
With only 100 at peak, the number of bases should be reduced as 90% of the map has zero action at any given time..
Which requires smaller maps..
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Eagler
I agree that some of these maps have way to many bases. Take "CraterMA" At present the coast is about 85 miles from the center of the map. If the red section with its bases was removed (25-30 miles) it would tighten up the fronts and make for more fights because it wasnt so spread out.

Map size is still 256x256, but the layout is changed. Heck you could knock down the crater walls some as they were there as a deterrent to bomb****s ruining GV fights in the crater. Seeing as there are no more GV fights in the crater, lowering the wall would give players an easier flight for cross front fighting to mix it up on the second front.
How much work this would be??? Dont know, but im betting it would be like building a new map

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Still think 2 sides makes more sense than 3 with today's numbers..
Eagler
Sure it would give a single front for all fights. The problem, due to human nature, is that side balance would never come close. One side would always heavily out number the other side. And then that side would always be crying about ENY, which would never turn off.