The Good:
Really like the new quick responsiveness of all planes. I managed a 7 kill run last night, of course engaging only on "My Time, My Terms, My Ground". They were made up of classic bounces to some great T&B down low and dirty scraps. Great fun, something I've been missing from AH for a while now. I've been getting 80-84 FPS normally and 50+ FPS in heavy traffic, smoke, clouds and near airfields while running at 1280x1024 (32 bit color) and Vsync ON. Incredible graphics and sense of immersion at these levels of detail.
I don't really care whether it's authentic or realistic, but I simply find v1.04r1 more FUN from an entertainment point of view.
Combat Trim is definitely a "dumbing" down of the pilot's cockpit management tasks, but I could care less as it is a feature that will definitely retain more players who try the game out, just as auto take-off should do. As a result, it will help HTC as a business reach critical revenue mass sooner. Personally, I have turned it OFF as I feel I have more control over the plane then when it's ON, plus subconsciously I think I have an edge over the guy who flies with it ON. Even if this isn't true, it helps my confidence during engagements and pushes me to fly the edge of the envelope.
<S> HTC for the overall improvement of the game with this release. To me, it is just a game for relaxation and I think your balancing of playability with immersion is close enough for my purposes, albeit, I would still like an additional permanent arena of just 2 sides, WWII based RPS and not have to fight the same aircraft type.
The Bad:
Not really v1.04r1 related, but I think there's some stress fractures in the social aspects of our community.
I do get really tired of the dysfunctional, arrogant and childish behavior on Channel 1. I realize that a lot of the swearing and immature behavior does come from kids with mom's credit card, but I wish HTC would grant "monitor" rights to some of the more mature individuals on-line, so they could exercise good judgment and after proper warnings to evict these characters. They demean the game and all of us, by sending signals to prospective sign-ups that this is the general character and value set of this community, which of course it isn't.
I also wish that some of the on-line Ace and self appointed vocal BBS pilots, would set better examples of community spiritual leadership, both on-line and on this medium. Many look up to you guys and learn from your examples. It isn't just about being a "hot stick" when you're flying and fighting. Your talent comes with some additional responsibility to provide leadership, whether you want the role or not. It goes hand in hand with your extraordinary skill sets. The seemingly endless "I quit" and "I apologize" threads on here, plus some of the embarrassing antics of vets on-line, do diminish my personal enjoyment of AH and I assume some others feel that way as well. I don't think it's a major thing overcome, but it will hurt the community if we all don't stop and think a little more before we type.
Just some random thoughts from an old "road kill" badger.
Regards,
Badger
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