Author Topic: Side balancing (Read 1044 times)

AKcurly · « **on:** November 07, 2002, 01:12:01 AM »

Old topic, many solutions - all unsatisfactory to HTC, otherwise they would have implemented it.

The current main arena isn't as much fun as it used to be. Typical nightime (US time zones) numbers for the last two months have looked like this: Knights: 180, Bishops: 140, Rooks: 80.

Frequently during the daytime, the bishops will have larger numbers. Occasionally (not often), the rooks will have a large group at night.

HTC has given us a solution to this problem. It's called the "change country" button.

Folks, the main arena is precisely as much fun as we make it - no more or less.

We need a medium size squad to move from the bishops to the rooks and a large squad to move from the knights to the rooks. By medium squad, I mean a squad around 30 members; by large squad, I mean 40-60 members. Yeah, yeah, I know about the 32 participant limit, but several squads have found ways around this.

If your squad fits this description and you're interested, contact me via e-mail (see my profile) and we'll try to coordinate something.

curly

Urchin · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2002, 02:33:24 AM »

I, personally, am going to Rook in the next couple days. I'm trying to get my squad to vote to see what they want to do. If they vote yes, we'll be your 'medium' squad, I think.

Fariz · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2002, 03:02:11 AM »

Good idea, because number inballance is making game less interesting. When I am online bishops usually has number advantage, and I almost stopped playing for strat and making mission. Win itself has no value, if gained without competition.

I was with rooks resently, only way which can help is 8-10 good strat squads flying for them, at least for some short time, around 2-3 months.

I disagree about the way you suggest to do it though. I think all squads shall move to rooks, because to ballance numbers you really need a big move, not all people who switch stay online long, so 32 people squad is +4 averagely to side number around the day. So I think all squads which want to switch shall switch to rooks.

Sixpence · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2002, 03:10:47 AM »

Can the game be set to not let one team have more than 5 more pilots than the next? This way you are not tied to one team, you just go to the lesser team.

AKcurly · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2002, 03:14:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sixpence
Can the game be set to not let one team have more than 5 more pilots than the next? This way you are not tied to one team, you just go to the lesser team.

No. And it can't work that way. Squad members will want to fly together.

curly

AKcurly · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2002, 03:19:31 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Fariz
Good idea, because number inballance is making game less interesting.

I disagree about the way you suggest to do it though. I think all squads shall move to rooks, because to ballance numbers you really need a big move, not all people who switch stay online long, so 32 people squad is +4 averagely to side number around the day. So I think all squads which want to switch shall switch to rooks.

Good, Fariz. And yes, you're probably right about the numbers. The AKs run around 32 total members, but nightly participation is around 6-10 probably.

So yes, it's going to take more than one average (6-10 participants) and one large (12-20) participants to balance the teams.

But, we should plan the switches. We don't want to end up with 80 knights, 120 bishops and 160 rooks or we're right back where we started.

If you are a rotating squad and you're reading this, would you please consider flying rook for a month or two?

curly

J_A_B · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2002, 04:03:27 AM »

I'd switch to Rooks but I already did a couple months ago and I refuse to clone myself

J_A_B

Steve · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2002, 05:09:01 AM »

I understand country loyalty, but I don't understand why folks don't want to switch to rooks. How fun is it playing a game where you are already aware of the ultimate outcome with 90% accuracy(at least as far as resets go)? I'm not talking to those knuckleheads that fly over a massacre of rooks in their 262's lol.
The rooks tend to fly less missions yes, but they are much more cooperative as a group than the other two teams..not because they are better pilots but out of the necessity of survival. Anyway, there are some great sticks and awesome people on rooks so come on over! (I can't speak for Shane but I am trying to be less of an bellybutton than I normally am so I don't drive anyone away)
We do need several squads to come over, this will make the game more fun for those squads and the rest of the MA as well. We rooks are running out of "positive" ideas. There is a movement in rooks for EVERY rook squad to switch sides at the end of the tour so there will basically only be 2 sides. You are probably thinking "Ya, like that could happen" Well, you're right it PROBABLY won't..but my point is that many rooks are not enjoying the game as is and they feel that they must do something since the obvious solution of getting some bodies from other teams, isn't working. I, . I'm a whiner, but I also fight for rooks down to thew last base.. I don't wait for the reset in the tower..I fly to the bitter, and very predictable, end. Improve everyone's enjoyment of the game.. come to rooks!

Fariz · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2002, 05:20:07 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Steve
but they are much more cooperative as a group than the other two teams...

Not anywhere close to truth. Rooks has no team playing at all, they have very bad strat understanding of map, and very limmited communication on a country channel. Bishops 10 times better when it comes to team play, at least at euro time.

I was with rooks, with my usual practise of going ahead, deacking field, then asking for jabo. It ended with me alone over field with no support till I am out of fuel or ammo. I know what you will say "numbers... we all busy defending other fields..." but it is not a case. 80% of rooks were engagned in attacking isolated field wich has no value, while losing the strat important field. It happens with all countries, but if in others you can explain situation and get support, with rooks you can explain it during hours, and be just ignored. I made 3 mission with rooks, 2 were successful, with 5-7 people in them only, last one I canceled it, because NO ONE joined. Then I gave up, as I said, only good strat playing squads can change situation there.

Steve · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2002, 05:23:16 AM »

Fariz, you had a bad experience it sounds like.. but "not anywhere close the truth" is bull. Be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Pepe · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2002, 05:26:00 AM »

First of all, I want to thank all you guys joining Rookland as of lately. It's nice to see somebody actually disagrees with the constant gangbang that MA has become to Rooks, and shows it with facts.

Second, I appreciate this kind of post, for it's positive focus. I think it's absolutely useless to whine about something as evident as Rook numbers. I ask here to stop all the whinning about numbers. The point has been made, and now it's time to solutions.

At the time being, we are already on a "de facto" 2 sides arena, in 2 stages. First, Knights and Bishops put Rooks in the corner, down to 3-4 bases and no radar (2 side war, Rook vs. Rest...fast and painful

). Second stage, they fite against each other to decide the reset. While Rooks have a momentary relief, it's only the prelude for the bitter end. (2 side war, Knights vs Bish, Rooks on the cage

)

As I said times and times before, I don't personally care about numbers. It's hard to stand sometimes, and It can get to your nerves quite easy, but It's a rewarding feeling. Every current Rook (wether it be "permanent" or "walk-on") knows that Rookland is the hardest country to fly for. That feeling is high on my list of priorities when playing AH.

Dawggus · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2002, 07:04:07 AM »

Hey, flying Rook is mucho fun! We have plenty of targets, you don't have to fly far to look for a fight, and we have recently instituted PBJ night! Every Friday night, I forgo flying and sit in the OC making Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches for all the Rooks. Up, get shot down, grab a PBJ, up, get shot down ... you get the picture

. Thanks for the note Curly, any constructive discussions and ideas are great!

Cya Up!

palef · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2002, 07:38:19 PM »

52nd Kiwi (the squad I belong to) moved to Rooks yesterday.

We have 30 members from around the world.

I hope this helps

palef

Kweassa · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2002, 07:47:58 PM »

Thanks for all your mature considerations and offers of help. It is much needed, and with a little luck(and maybe some more whining

) we may yet get a little sunshine in Rookland after all..!

Big, warm to all those who offered to change to Rooks to help out. True, past months the Rooks may have been so obsessed with survival that our mentality as a whole may have drifted away from carefully planned strategical gameplay. However with the offers of help I'm convinced the Rooks will appreciate it and try to change their ways as well.

Thanks again!

john9001 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 07, 2002, 07:48:52 PM »

i really don't understand what the problem is , last night the knights ignored the outnumbered rooks and attacked the bish and reset the bish.