Author Topic: 6 hours to change sides  (Read 15731 times)

Offline fufu

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6 hours to change sides
« on: June 16, 2026, 11:42:37 PM »
Is there a reason this limitation - preventing a player from changing a country for 6 hours after a change - is still in place ? From what I can see, multiple people, are running multiple accounts, cheating the system for years, the game host 50 players a night, except for weekends. It is basically a private sandbox server now, not an MMO. Yes, i pay a monthly fee, but as it is colorful pixels on a screen after all, no matter the air combat sentiment, I actually have 1-2 hours to play every 2 days or so.

Spending half that time staring on the map, to see where the action is, then flying 15 minutes to get there, to find out the horde moved on, feels like OFFLINE GAMING.

Why, on top of all of this, I cannot change the side to fly for an hour with actual people, is beyond me, as it was a system designed for a game, that does not exist anymore... It is not a rant, I feel like it is a reasonable request to ask for that limit to be lifted, I can see no purpose for it, except making people log off unable to engage with other players without prolonged periods of boredom and wasted time. The aut change coutry system is in place, but it does not solve the problem, as it usually leaves you exactly where the action is not.

Oh i know..you can also REMOVE THE THIRD COUNTRY, that would solve it, have the limit in then, might make more sense - the current state does not.


Cheers,
Fufu

Online DmonSlyr

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2026, 07:04:07 AM »
Ive been calling for the reduction to atleast 3 hours for years now. 6 is crazy long for the current #s.

Also, Im curious what map was on?

I have a lot in the same sentiment which is why I always wanted to remove a few maps and have closer fields on new maps. Never know how the tide is going to change by the time you get to the enemy field. You do sometimes have to role at the right time to make sure youre not the only one at a field by the time you get there or that there is still a battle left by the time you get there.

One thing I've been seeing is a massive squad on one side hoarding base to base but no squad on the other side defending, while the third side is also attacking them and they are both fighting each other on the other side of the map, but its tough to figure out whose winning and sometimes the side getting double teamed has the most #s so switching wouldnt work out.
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Offline Lazerr

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2026, 07:13:25 AM »
Is there a reason this limitation - preventing a player from changing a country for 6 hours after a change - is still in place ? From what I can see, multiple people, are running multiple accounts, cheating the system for years, the game host 50 players a night, except for weekends. It is basically a private sandbox server now, not an MMO. Yes, i pay a monthly fee, but as it is colorful pixels on a screen after all, no matter the air combat sentiment, I actually have 1-2 hours to play every 2 days or so.

Spending half that time staring on the map, to see where the action is, then flying 15 minutes to get there, to find out the horde moved on, feels like OFFLINE GAMING.

Why, on top of all of this, I cannot change the side to fly for an hour with actual people, is beyond me, as it was a system designed for a game, that does not exist anymore... It is not a rant, I feel like it is a reasonable request to ask for that limit to be lifted, I can see no purpose for it, except making people log off unable to engage with other players without prolonged periods of boredom and wasted time. The aut change coutry system is in place, but it does not solve the problem, as it usually leaves you exactly where the action is not.

Oh i know..you can also REMOVE THE THIRD COUNTRY, that would solve it, have the limit in then, might make more sense - the current state does not.


Cheers,
Fufu

 :aok

Great ideas... some people think too hard about this, or think because it didn't work in a different scenario,  it won't work in this one.

Offline Eagler

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2026, 08:28:55 AM »
A limited number of side switches in 24hrs..maybe 4..

Only playing an hour a day I should be able to switch sides as often as needed to make my time as enjoyable as possible...

Eagler
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Online DmonSlyr

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2026, 11:20:50 AM »
3 hours.. this gives a player 8 switches instead of 4 in a 24 hour day.

3 hours would allow switching in certain parts of the day that may need it, but wont allow a player to abuse one side or the other, or chase a player around the map. One or two players switching all around could create spying and opportunity issues which wouldnt bode well. 3 hours allows players to switch in a reasonable time period but doesn't allow players to abuse the current situation by switching whenever. For example, you see a huge amount of bombers taking off on your team so you swirch to go shoot them down. Then switch right back.
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Offline Randy1

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2026, 12:00:15 PM »
Side switching for personal gain has always been the problem.  The auto-switch has shown this albeit on  a very few players.

Online The Fugitive

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2026, 12:57:28 PM »
Hitech explained his reasoning here....

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,361462.msg4811379.html#msg4811379

In all the years I have been here I can only remember a few players using a second account for "intel" on another team. Most that have more than one account either fly formations on the same team (tunes , Finetime), or use the other account to get around the 6 hour switch timer. They only have one account being used at a time as they are the only players using them (Skyyr and a few others).

Due to the data Hitech was checking it seems that the 1 hour switch time were causing imbalance between the teams far more than when the timer is set longer. To my thinking that is because if you "can" switch more often, more players "would" switch more often causing the swings in numbers.

I would like to see the limits turned down to 3 hours and tested there for a tour or two. I dont think they would see the oscillations they did back then and with the time being 3 hours they should be slower. Also back when that post was made we had 2 late war arenas so our numbers were much higher than we ever get today per arena. I really think the swings would be much smaller than back then. 

Offline Eagler

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2026, 01:14:21 PM »
So for most of us it's one switch a day - who plays more than 6hrs a day...not many..

So give us 30 switches - a months worth -on the 1st with the ability to use them as fast or slow as you want to..

That seems like a bunch..maybe 15 switches..

Maybe add that if you switched to the lowest numbered country, your switch doesn't count against you..

Eagler
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Offline Animl-AW

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2026, 01:19:45 PM »
Side switching for personal gain has always been the problem.  The auto-switch has shown this albeit on  a very few players.

Agreed. Seen it happen many times since my return.
One minute someone is on your side, the next you're fighting them. Which is one thing , BUT....
Some switch sides to run with a horde and rack points/kills. Literally switching to the side with the highest numbers to join a gang bang for points. They say they are on auto-switch, but they clearly are not, they simply lie.

To say it doesn't happen is gullible or denial, take your pick
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« Last Edit: June 17, 2026, 01:23:25 PM by Animl-AW »
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Offline Ramesis

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2026, 02:06:57 PM »
This may or may not be apropos to the main discussion.
I recall a long, long, long time ago (before the dueling arena was eliminated) that I
proposed returning the dueling arena for those that just want to furball.
I got no response.
Ram  :salute
 
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Offline fufu

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #10 on: June 17, 2026, 06:24:38 PM »
Hitech explained his reasoning here....

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,361462.msg4811379.html#msg4811379

In all the years I have been here I can only remember a few players using a second account for "intel" on another team. Most that have more than one account either fly formations on the same team (tunes , Finetime), or use the other account to get around the 6 hour switch timer. They only have one account being used at a time as they are the only players using them (Skyyr and a few others).

Due to the data Hitech was checking it seems that the 1 hour switch time were causing imbalance between the teams far more than when the timer is set longer. To my thinking that is because if you "can" switch more often, more players "would" switch more often causing the swings in numbers.

I would like to see the limits turned down to 3 hours and tested there for a tour or two. I dont think they would see the oscillations they did back then and with the time being 3 hours they should be slower. Also back when that post was made we had 2 late war arenas so our numbers were much higher than we ever get today per arena. I really think the swings would be much smaller than back then.

Yes... thank you for that. A 12 year old reason given as a justification for the current state of the game is actually exactly why I described things the way I see it. Kinda proves the point actually. In reverse.... for HT...

If I may, if "arena balance" is such a priority, how about basing the balancing on somewhat fresher data set than 2014. And in 80 player WW2 arena, a "historical setup" of 2 sides fighting a war, instead of two fighting and a third just ... doing what ? This had never any merit in my mind, but it is beside the point to discuss it. It refers to a reality that we can no longer enjoy, so how about a CHANGE.
Fufu

Fufu
« Last Edit: June 17, 2026, 06:29:43 PM by fufu »

Offline Banshee7

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2026, 07:26:37 PM »
Side switch timer should be 60 minutes like it used to be.
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Offline caldera

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #12 on: June 17, 2026, 08:04:51 PM »
Side switch timer should be 60 minutes like it used to be.

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Online The Fugitive

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2026, 08:26:55 PM »
Yes... thank you for that. A 12 year old reason given as a justification for the current state of the game is actually exactly why I described things the way I see it. Kinda proves the point actually. In reverse.... for HT...

If I may, if "arena balance" is such a priority, how about basing the balancing on somewhat fresher data set than 2014. And in 80 player WW2 arena, a "historical setup" of 2 sides fighting a war, instead of two fighting and a third just ... doing what ? This had never any merit in my mind, but it is beside the point to discuss it. It refers to a reality that we can no longer enjoy, so how about a CHANGE.
Fufu

Fufu

12 years old, or 12 days old, it doesnt matter. If that data shows the same swings, its not going to change. As for two teams instead of 3 teams, I hope we never see that. Players have already proven they cant self regulate and so one team would always out number the other team and of course they would be crying about being under ENY all the time.

Personally Id love to see Hitech take a bigger interest in the game. I know he has other things on his plate, but I think if he was more up to date he might be willing to give some of these ideas a try. At this point the vast majority of players are hard core lifers that have been here for years and years. Chasing them away would be near impossible by testing a few changes. These test may add some spark to game play and in the end maybe bring back more players if not new players should we get the word out. If he doesnt want to spend the time, maybe add a manager.

Offline Oldman731

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Re: 6 hours to change sides
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2026, 08:29:04 PM »
Side switch timer should be 60 minutes like it used to be.


Don't remember if it used to be, but 60 minutes is good.  Thirty would be better.

- oldman