Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Wolfskin on February 18, 2008, 10:13:45 PM
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Heya.
I haven't been here for about 6 years. I was looking forward to coming back - and glad I did come back, don't get me wrong - but it seems nothing much has happened while I was afk.
I see a few new planes but that seems to be about it.
The graphics are horribly, horribly dated by today's standard and it seems like people are asking for the same things as before. A few database driven balancing tweaks plus the towns. But really. That seems like a very short effort.
I love AH. But it seems HTC has really been lying on the lazy side here. I am a bit disappointed, really.
But maybe I'm completely wrong, please point me to what 6 years of continuous development has brought to light (I know you will in full ;) ).
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If you haven't flown for 6 years and you claim nothing has changed, then you haven't even booted it up and taken a plane up offline.
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I have.
I'm not saying nothing has happened.
I'm saying I'm seeing very little as what one could expect after years and years of development.
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What are you talking about, about 1 year ago they redid all the textures in the game.
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yeah I can see some texture work being done. But honestly, have a look at the interiors, say the C-47. Its just really dated and not very pretty.
I'm not saying that graphics are important for gameplay in computer games per se. But after 6 years I expected more. A new graphics engine perhaps...
Have you seen what the boys over at Maddox have been working on? Point being that a flight sim can look great and modern and still be realistic etc. One does not exclude the other:
I'm just wondering...(http://www.airwarfare.com/Sims/IL2BOB/images/updates/05-2006/SOW-BOB_PC_003_Spitfire.jpg)
(http://www.airwarfare.com/Sims/IL2BOB/images/updates/05-2006/SOW-BOB_PC_001_Transition.jpg)
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
see a few new planes but that seems to be about it.
The graphics are horribly, horribly dated by today's standard
:rofl
You're funny.
Id love to see those planes flying in a room with 300 other people.
BTW the C47 and other planes/gvs are still AH1 models.
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Originally posted by Larry
:rofl
You're funny.
Spare me the sarcasm, please.
Id love to see those planes flying in a room with 300 other people.
Why wouldn't they? All the fancy graphics are client side. Each client would never have to display 300 cockpits up close at once. And oh, we are past the k56 days.
BTW the C47 and other planes/gvs are still AH1 models.
My point exactly.
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Well for one they are updating the cockpits of the planes, look at the homepage to see pics of the new cockpits coming in the next patch for the La-5 & La-7.
Secondly they are busy working on getting CT up and running, which is something I'd much rather see them working on rather then redoing the cockpit of the C-47.
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Wolf how many people are on Maddox' payroll? How good have his FMs been so far?
The real question is why HTC doesn't hire more people to speed up their development.
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Originally posted by moot
Wolf how many people are on Maddox' payroll? How good have his FMs been so far?
The real question is why HTC doesn't hire more people to speed up their development.
Agreed. That would be the question, really.
SO! Why?
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A better question is why do people keep asking why AH isn't WW2OL or IL2? A good follow up is why, if those games are so wonderful, are they here in the first place?
As to why much hasn't changed around here, with regards to the many AH1 models... that's pretty obvious. The long awaited Mission Theater aka Aces High II aka Tour Of Duty aka Combat Tour.
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
Agreed. That would be the question, really.
SO! Why?
Why should they? They are doing a dam good job now.
Originally posted by Wolfskin
Why wouldn't they? All the fancy graphics are client side. Each client would never have to display 300 cockpits up close at once. And oh, we are past the k56 days.
Um some of us dont have $5K computers to run that kind of artwork. Oh and no we arent past the 56k days. Untill every person can have high speed internet then no we arent.
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Wolfskin, you need a new avatar... may I suggest?>.....
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/Airscrew/DontFeedTheTroll.jpg)
or perhaps
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/Airscrew/troll3.jpg)
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
And oh, we are past the k56 days.
I know at least one person in JG11 is still running dialup...
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Yeah, I know several people on here who still play over a dial-up modem.
And as I and others have stated HTC is busy putting CT together.
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Originally posted by Airscrew
Wolfskin, you need a new avatar... may I suggest?>.....
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/Airscrew/DontFeedTheTroll.jpg)
or perhaps
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/Airscrew/troll3.jpg)
Wtf?
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Originally posted by trax1
Yeah, I know several people on here who still play over a dial-up modem.
And as I and others have stated HTC is busy putting CT together.
Ok, I'll be looking forward to that.
I'm still not convinced of the speed by which HTC is doing things but I digress.
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
Wtf?
I'm just callin it as I see it...
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Originally posted by Airscrew
I'm just callin it as I see it...
That's all fine and well.
I wasn't trying to troll or stir any kind of controversy at all. Just wondering why it seems like the dev of AHII seems so stagnant.
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
Just wondering why it seems like the dev of AHII seems so stagnant.
In the next patch they have quite a few things being introduced or updated, their introducing the P-39, & the Wirbelwind, and doing updates on the La-5 & La-7.
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Originally posted by trax1
In the next patch they have quite a few things being introduced or updated, their introducing the P-39, & the Wirbelwind, and doing updates on the La-5 & La-7.
& Flak
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Not to mention Pyro said they will add a 200 rounds of 20mm option to the 109G6 & G14 hub cannon... and up the 20mm RPG in the gondolas from 125 to 140...
Above the P39, the La5FN/La7 update, and maybe even the Wirbelwind, I am excited about the 200rd hub gun option. Im easy to please, lol.
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Originally posted by trax1
In the next patch they have quite a few things being introduced or updated, their introducing the P-39, & the Wirbelwind, and doing updates on the La-5 & La-7.
Yeah. But that's only NEW planes and NEW flight models, not pretty new graphics on C-47s
(sarcasm off)
wrngway
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Originally posted by moot
...The real question is why HTC doesn't hire more people to speed up their development.
Do the math.
Although HT will (rightly) never reveal the exact number, lets say there are maybe 3000 paying subscribers at any given time (I actually think that's at the upper end of the scale). That's $45000 a month / $540000 a year.
By the time you pay salaries, health care and other benefits for 7 employees, networking fees, rolling replacement of hardware, rent on the offices, professional subscriptions, icenses for development tools and other software, advertising and all the sundry other expenses associated with running a business, there's not going to be too much change out of $540000.
That's why we're not seeing masses of developers added to the team.
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Wolfskin, ^ Look at that. ^
A counter point would be that the smaller the team, the bigger the benefit of adding one more member. I'd add just one more guy to really get the new vehicles out the door quick, or get more of them done in the same time.
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No doubt that Brand X cockpits are superb. I suspect HTC would say the same thing.
They are upgrading models and cockpits step-by-step. There is a balance between keeping minimum system requirements low, yet providing a satisfactory overall game environment. Since there is no boxed product, Aces High earns its keep completely on the internet and in the massive multi-player market.
One of the great things about HTC is that they are still here after your long afk... ;)
I think they deserve a lot of respect for staying true to their goal:
"HiTech Creations was founded with a simple philosophy by Dale "HiTech" Addink in 1999. It's not to create a large corporation, a vast gaming network, or a line of online games. It's just to create one game, but one that is better than any other like it. Contrary to most companies, our goal is to keep the company small. We know that with a singular focus and an experienced cohesive team that enjoys its work, the production, service, support, and overall level of satisfaction will be unmatched."
Welcome back!
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
Point being that a flight sim can look great and modern and still be realistic etc. One does not exclude the other:
You wanna help me buy the the machine that'll run this, and get off my dial-up? I don't make much out here in onion country.
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Originally posted by moot
Wolf how many people are on Maddox' payroll? How good have his FMs been so far?
The real question is why HTC doesn't hire more people to speed up their development.
Hitech learned this lesson the hard way. From what I've seen its a part of why he let go of Warbirds and moved on to create AH.
Keep the shop small, and tight and friendly. For each new person you add you increase overhead, and triple the amount of interoffice personal problems.
Its like how many lions and tigers a single trainer can keep busy at the circus.
Get more than 6 - 8 and some are sitting around waiting for something. Not to mention the trainer has to spend ALL his time keeping them jumping through hoops, instead of spending most of his time writing coad.
Hitech knows what he's doing, he's learned these lessons in the school of hard knocks.
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Yeah I figured all that.. But come on :) There has to be one guy out there who'd have good chemistry with the guys at HTC...
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You know what they say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
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thing is though moot, they'd need to find someone who really knows what they're doing and is into WW2 stuff. not every graphic design dude is a plane nerd like us :)
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And to rephrase what others have said:
AH2 is AH2.
It's the product of design and business choices HT has made, so it's his vision of the product he wants to make. That includes graphics, gameplay, and flight modelling. I love the game for what it is, and though I've made suggestions I understand that the designers make the decisions weighing factors I can't pretend to appreciate.
If this product isnt to your taste, then that's OK -- but if you like something else better then best wishes as you move on.
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If you were to try this game today would you be impressed with the graphics?
Even with the updates it has received its at least 5 years dated.
For you graphics deniers, have you ever heard of a detail slider? Have you ever played any other game? They all do include the ability to crank up or down the performance to suit you machine capabilities. And no, the rest of the customer base does not need to buy you a new machine just because you don't care to upgrade every few years like most everyone else. And no, your dial up connection has little to do with graphic quality.
The game is what it is. From a simple overview it does not look like much progress has been made over the last 4 years in the graphics department when compared to other games out there. I would assume that is mostly due to the extensive amount of time spent CT. In my opinion, the game would be that much bigger and better with more frequent updates and graphics but my opinion is just as valuable as anyone else commenting here. Thats how it goes when you are the customer. That being said, there is a strong community and decent game play. You can either accept it for what it is or not.
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I don't know what the grief is with the graphics.
With everything cranked, hi-res pack on a large monitor I think they look just fine.
My two biggest gripes are the ocean and the explosions. I think these two things could be re-done without disturbing the overall playability but then again it's not exactly on top of my wishlist either.
Yes there are prettier eye candy games out there but this is Mass multiplayer online!
We live for the fights and battles, the adrenaline rush of not knowing whats going to happen next.
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The Fm on the other games fall short.....
But you can't please everyone... btw don't let the door hit you in the *** on the way out.
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falls "very short" in many cases (*cough*ubisoft*cough*)
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Me thinks he caught alot of fishes trolling sour bait. 6 years ago this game was just starting to get popular. Now many changes and better grapics,This so called explayer says "nothing has changed much at all". anyone thats been here that long knows this guy just trolling for another company. And probally 99% sure he was never a player for more than 2 weeks if that. New maps. players can build maps, HQ changed, Bombing changed. GRAPHICS improved, many NEW planes, Town sizes increased, 3 arenas and so on. just to list a few of the changes. So in short good troll all you did is make HTC look good not your what you intended was it. :o
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I Smell PNGed shade.
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Originally posted by Bronk
I Smell PNGed shade.
Methinks' you are right.
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Originally posted by AWwrgwy
Yeah. But that's only NEW planes and NEW flight models, not pretty new graphics on C-47s
(sarcasm off)
wrngway
Got it in one, mate.
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Originally posted by FBvirgil
Me thinks he caught alot of fishes trolling sour bait. 6 years ago this game was just starting to get popular. Now many changes and better grapics,This so called explayer says "nothing has changed much at all". anyone thats been here that long knows this guy just trolling for another company. And probally 99% sure he was never a player for more than 2 weeks if that. New maps. players can build maps, HQ changed, Bombing changed. GRAPHICS improved, many NEW planes, Town sizes increased, 3 arenas and so on. just to list a few of the changes. So in short good troll all you did is make HTC look good not your what you intended was it. :o
But if you really sit back and look at the graphics in this game and not what that guy is typing you will see that he is right.Yea the players can build maps, but how many of those maps get accepted??This game is only 150 Megs in size, and you can only get so much out of 150 Megs.
The game is what it is, an alright flight sim.There are many options in the form of other games out there that are way cheaper and have way better graphics.The majority of the time you see folks on this BBs complaining about the same maps, the same tactix, when is CT gonna finally get going, but in the end it's the friends we all have in this game that keeps us playing it.Yea someone gets tired of the crap and says they quit, but in short that means they will be back in a month or 2 months or 2 weeks.
I really dont take wolfskins post as a troll more as a voice of reason in that he likes the gameplay so much that he was hoping it would have the same graphix as a CTD4, or Battlefield 2, cuz after all there is better technology now to make this game look just like those without making the user spend a butt load of money on a new system to be able to play it.But what can we expect from a 150 meg game......
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
And oh, we are past the k56 days.
Speak for yourself on that one........ Fugging Autralian IT
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Originally posted by FBvirgil
Me thinks he caught alot of fishes trolling sour bait. 6 years ago this game was just starting to get popular. Now many changes and better grapics,This so called explayer says "nothing has changed much at all". anyone thats been here that long knows this guy just trolling for another company. And probally 99% sure he was never a player for more than 2 weeks if that. New maps. players can build maps, HQ changed, Bombing changed. GRAPHICS improved, many NEW planes, Town sizes increased, 3 arenas and so on. just to list a few of the changes. So in short good troll all you did is make HTC look good not your what you intended was it. :o
Shees. Right off the bat, I'm not trolling. I'm wondering since AH is the only game I've played with such a slow development phase.
And I love AH, as I said before. And I'm happy to be back.
Just because someone is a little critical of your baby, don't go all pregnant and whiney.
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Originally posted by JagdTankker
But if you really sit back and look at the graphics in this game and not what that guy is typing you will see that he is right.Yea the players can build maps, but how many of those maps get accepted??This game is only 150 Megs in size, and you can only get so much out of 150 Megs.
I really dont take wolfskins post as a troll more as a voice of reason in that he likes the gameplay so much that he was hoping it would have the same graphix as a CTD4, or Battlefield 2, cuz after all there is better technology now to make this game look just like those without making the user spend a butt load of money on a new system to be able to play it.But what can we expect from a 150 meg game......
Right, that's where I was going.
Apart from that, reading the mission statement from HT makes pretty good sense. I'd just say that ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
One morning someone's gonna roll out a modern flight sim with a persistent online battle arena and my worry is that AH will be dead. My worry. Not my hope!
I was just a disappointed to come back after so long and not go "wow, they kept up". Instead of "hmmm... they were afk too".
And btw, I'm really excited about being able to come back to AH:
I've just received my Thrustmaster set I had to order from overseas and pay good money for, just to fly with you furballers :)
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Originally posted by Rolex
No doubt that Brand X cockpits are superb. I suspect HTC would say the same thing.
They are upgrading models and cockpits step-by-step. There is a balance between keeping minimum system requirements low, yet providing a satisfactory overall game environment. Since there is no boxed product, Aces High earns its keep completely on the internet and in the massive multi-player market.
One of the great things about HTC is that they are still here after your long afk... ;)
I think they deserve a lot of respect for staying true to their goal:
Welcome back!
100% agree with ya rolex, i just started playing not too long ago ( pass year/ half ), And even if HTC is a small company, the game is unlike any other. What flight sim do you know that has Different flight models for EVERY plane in the game? Only HTC so far. What flight sim do you know that has historical events, a great community, & a customer service that's available almost all day every day? only HTC.
So a big to the entire HTC company, stay small, keep the company in a tight nit circle, and continue to update the game at you fellas pace:aok . I personally think HTC is doing a great job considering the size of the development team they have.
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
And btw, I'm really excited about being able to come back to AH:
I've just received my Thrustmaster set I had to order from overseas and pay good money for, just to fly with you furballers :)
See you in the virtual sky's!
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If he hasn't played for 6 years he probably hasn't seen Ah2 period, let alone all the stuff since then. He probably still thinks there's a hit bubble, and that getting kills 1.2k out with 50cals is a normal thing.
It's a troll or a lie of some sort to claim that you've not been here for 6years, you pop in and say "nothing's changed"
ANYbody that's been here during that time will say you either trolling or lying. My first inclination was to post a "don't feed the trolls" image, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt, slim as it was.
Seriously? You're sounding like you barely glanced at the game, didn't even take off in anything, haven't tried shooting anything, haven't even LOOKED at the 39 new graphics-updated models (not even counting the 6 or more we're getting next patch!). Guns are entirely different, the airflow code was completely redone and has changed how many planes fly, 190s, 109s, f4us, p51s, p47s, anything but spitfires has a noticably different handling.
And you say "nothing has changed!"
Hell, man. Did they even HAVE towns when you last played this game? When did they introduce those?
"Nothing's changed"
HAH... It is to laugh.
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It was definitely still AH1 6 years ago.
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Uh, who looks at the cockpit anyway. I am usually looking at the horde of red icons chasing me.
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Originally posted by hubsonfire
It was definitely still AH1 6 years ago.
Apparently wolfskin hasn't seen these from 2006 and more recent dates, either.
http://www.hitechcreations.com/ct/ctframe.html
http://forums.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186232
http://forums.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186231
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
That's all fine and well.
I wasn't trying to troll or stir any kind of controversy at all. Just wondering why it seems like the dev of AHII seems so stagnant.
Net lag did it ;)
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This argument is a constant repackaging... of what the older generation tends to call the "Quake" generation.
Many complain that the youngsters just want instant gratification... "I want a faster plane... I want bigger guns" or "why do I have to spend all that time climbing..".... when in fact many of the older guys turn around and do the exact same thing..."I want a different model added in... I want Combat Tour." ..etc etc.
It's all the same whine, no matter how you slice it. Just shut up and enjoy HT's product or go find something you DO enjoy. Quit whining about new this or that, on all ends. The game is great as it is. (of course I'd like the "see thru hills...shoot thru forests bug to go away.......but life isn't perfect.)
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Originally posted by JagdTankker
Snip
And now a 2nd PNGed shade troll has entered.
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He's either trolling or he's basing his argument on just looking at screen shots and not actually d/ling the game and taking a plane up for a flight, because like Krusty said, this game is way different from 6 years ago and AH1.
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Originally posted by Bronk
And now a 2nd PNGed shade troll has entered.
Exactly what I was thinking when I read his post.:rofl
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Originally posted by MORAY37
(of course I'd like the "see thru hills...shoot thru forests bug to go away.......but life isn't perfect.)
It's all the same whine, no matter how you slice it. Just shut up and enjoy HT's product or go find something you DO enjoy. Quit whining about new this or that, on all ends. The game is great as it is.
I are teh confused
:huh
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Originally posted by dedalos
I are teh confused
:huh
:rofl :rofl :rofl
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Originally posted by dedalos
I are teh confused
:huh
:aok
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Originally posted by Krusty
Apparently wolfskin hasn't seen these from 2006 and more recent dates, either.
You're right - I hadn't seen those. And they look great. Thanks for pointing that out.
And, psst... don't take it personal, mate. :)
I never said nothing had changed. Just nothing much the time frame taken into consideration.
But thanks again. Combat Tour looks great, I can't wait!
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(http://downloads.hitechcreations.com/images/combattour/ctcity0.jpg)
I dare ANY bomber pilot to look at that and NOT have a massive drool problem :D
Oops, there I go, let me get a napkin or something...
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^^^
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r168/trax28/drooling_homer.gif)
Man thats gonna be fun bombing.:D
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We need a drool emoticon for the forum!
Kind of like a mix between this :huh and this :cry
(only the water streams aren't coming from the eyes)
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Originally posted by Krusty
We need a drool emoticon for the forum!
Kind of like a mix between this :huh and this :cry
(only the water streams aren't coming from the eyes)
I dont get it. Where would they come from? :huh
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the corners of the mouth, silly :D
Kind of like this:
(http://www.discussanything.com/forums/images/smilies/drool.gif)
or this:
(http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/2444_drooling.gif)
Only not so dorky as either of those...
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haha, that does look like a sweeeeeeeeeet target for bombers!
Where's the whoopee napalm?!
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(http://biblestyle.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/hillbilly.jpg)
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Originally posted by TwinBoom
(http://biblestyle.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/hillbilly.jpg)
Wow, look at their eyes!!
Looks like they just got done NOT INhalling!
Also looks like Willy was givin her stds even back then (lip)
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ewwwww
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Originally posted by Wolfskin
That's all fine and well.
I wasn't trying to troll or stir any kind of controversy at all. Just wondering why it seems like the dev of AHII seems so stagnant.
Does anyone else wonder what the point of this thread is then?
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Originally posted by 1Boner
(http://biblestyle.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/hillbilly.jpg)
Wow, look at their eyes!!
Looks like they just got done NOT INhalling!
Also looks like Willy was givin her stds even back then (lip)
omg, I think they both are the ugliest people I've ever seen. They are better looking old then they were younger IMO.
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I have read most of the post here and I back up Krusty on this one. If you can Make new models for every cockpit of every plane in the game, then you do it. If you cain't, don't post it whining about that this game "Sucks" and have poor graphics.
other than that, all I can say is In 2 weeks!
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Those sure are pretty graphics for a game that isn't even released yet.
it's not expected until Q3 of this year.
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Originally posted by ddoug
Those sure are pretty graphics for a game that isn't even released yet.
it's not expected until Q3 of this year.
We'll be lucky if its out that soon.
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Originally posted by ddoug
Those sure are pretty graphics for a game that isn't even released yet.
it's not expected until Q3 of this year.
Don't go starting rumors like that.
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Originally posted by Bosco123
I have read most of the post here and I back up Krusty on this one. If you can Make new models for every cockpit of every plane in the game, then you do it. If you cain't, don't post it whining about that this game "Sucks" and have poor graphics.
other than that, all I can say is In 2 weeks!
I am with you Bosco. Never ever ask for anything to be improved :aok
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The only thing that needs improvement in AH are the ACM skills of some of its players. If you think those other games are so great, why are you here?