So why not bring GV's into line with the rest of the game?
Sorry Toad, but I think you're all wrong on this topic.
Spawn points are an excellent devices to allow the gv's to be reasonably playable. For all the same reasons that the distance between fields is carefully controlled. You're speaking from a viewpoint of a person who almost never uses vehicles (checked your stats). You prolly don't care if gv's are playable. Other people do enjoy them (an ever growing percentage of HTC's customers) and the game should be designed in such a way that they can be enjoyed reasonably by those that do.
No a val can't ground as fast as a 262, but a panzer can't cover ground as fast as a m-3 either. The distance between airfields is controlled such that the "average" transit time for the range of aircraft is reasonable. The spawn ranges should be controlled such that the "average" transit time for gv's can be reasonable.
Its shouldn't take much longer for gv's to get into action than it does buffs and fighters. Maybe it should take less. A fighter or buff can put it on auto climb and go have a beer, watch tv, or make a samich. A gv player has to drive white knuckle every stinkin inch of the way. If he hits a single branch, bush, or pebble, his 10 ton battle tank explodes into tiny bits.
A gv also doesn't have any terrain cover to hide in as in real life. No way to duck into a stand of trees. No way to dig in hull down and lay some cammo netting. No appreciable amount of night time to cover his movements. On most terrains, teh gv's black dot can be seen for MILES even when they are completely stopped (so there couldn't be dust trails).
The remote spawn points are an excellent device to allow gv's to be utilized with a reasonable amount of gameplay. And gameplay and fun are the most important factors to HTC...thank God!
Are you REALLY willing to have to fly P-51's and buffs 5-6 hours (REAL TIME) to target and have 9 hours (REAL TIME) of nighttime for gv's to cover their movements? I highly doubt it. If so, then I'd be willing to accept real gv travel times.
Regards,
Wab