Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Tac on January 27, 2001, 03:27:00 PM
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Icons... the almighty billboards.
Icons... ruining the WW2 simulation of AH.
Icons... are evil and must be destroyed...
Icons... are red and I have a hard time seeing them in the green background... curse my color blindness...
Icons... what to do with them?
It is fair to say that when any of us is in combat, in the middle of a furball, all we do is go to the 6 'oc view for a split second just to check for red icons. Right?
I've played AH in H2H with friendly icons only, and the simulation "experience" was enchanced exponentially. Why? I dont have laser ranging icons that tell me exactly the range so I can take those 700 yds + shots, I dont have a big red icon to scream the location of the fighter that is about to jump me, I have to be alert and paranoid all the time. The heart pumps faster...
On friendly icons only fights, ACM'ing is quite different. You twist, you turn, you stay in someone's 6... the person you are attacking may do a tight turn below your nose, and then turn the other way... you may lose sight of him... for there is no red billboard magically pointing where your target went in a split second panic scan of all views to find "the icon I was following". Lost sight, time to extend and try again.
I would suggest to HTC the following:
1) Make the MA be friendly icons only. Only Friendly Icons have laser range finders.
2) Code in a "target" function. The only red icon (without laser range-finder) you would see is the one you have "targeted". This would also allow HTC to code a "lock view" option, since your eyes would only follow the targeted icon.
Most kills in WW2 were achieved with the victim never knowing or knowing too late that they were under attack. Their furballs also didnt have big icons showing them what plane type/exact range/location of the dozen or more aircraft around him.
Icons in my opinion are the worst "gameplay" addition to any WW2 sim. They are the heroin of this game.. pilots addicted to it depend on it utterly. For ye they love their omniscience and Great Power of 700yds Spraying. They love being unable to be suprised or jumped, for yae this drug giveth them multi-tracking eyes and overlays their vision with groovy red billboards...and he shall never fear...
*dons asbestos suit and awaits the flames from the addicts*
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Don't like icons??? Turn them off and play with out them. I like them and they serve a function in this game. Note, I said game not simulation. This is a game now more than ever with the perk system coming. There is no depth perception. There is limited ability to ID aircraft as to type, country and so on. As long as this game is going to be played on a PC with a monitor you will not be able to overcome those problems.
Frankly, with the large cockpit obstructions (ie canopy rails) that you can't instantly look around like you could in RL by simply moving your head or using both eyes, the disappearing icons are already a compromise to visibility of the enemy plane.
BTW you do now have the option to use friendly only icons on your view choices. Enjoy, but leave them alone for the rest of us that want them.
Mav
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Agreed Tac. I asked HT yesterday when, if ever, we would have no range data within 2000yds.
It appears that will never happen (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
Mind you, I've got no problem with aircraft type, or even sub-type within 2000yds.. but accurate-to-the-yard range info within 2000yds is simply a joke.
And Maverick, unfortunately I agree with you also. AH is becoming 'gamier' by the minute.
Sad to see a 'sim' which held such great promise, which was so ground-breaking in some of its visuals and features, take the path of least resistance.
Oh well, something wonderful is about to happen (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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*
[This message has been edited by Kirin (edited 01-27-2001).]
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Weee Tac, ever tried "no icons" at all in a historical planeset fight? Man, that was a long time ago but it was the most fun I had in AH! I shot down a friendly 109 because I mistook it for a Spit - aww, come on in a front quarter approach they both have light spinners... (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
"Friendly icon only"- historical arena? Oh what a dream.
Yup, AH is taking a direction a don't like very much but at the moment there is no alternative. As Jekyll says, there is something wonderful about to happen - hope we won't get disappointed there... (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
BTW, Maverick - no depth perception beyond 10 meters and stereoscopic vision is only a part of it anyway...
Yeah right, using "friendly only" icon in MA while everyone else is on those billboard icons (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) That's almost like flying LW planes in MA. But oth CHogs and icons very, very well together... (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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~Kirin~
(http://the_kirin.tripod.com/Sig_Ta152f150.jpg)
[This message has been edited by Kirin (edited 01-27-2001).]
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I love it when people put a foot in their mouth. Icon addicts... *sigh* (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
"Don't like icons??? Turn them off and play with out them."
Yes, let me turn off my icons while everyone else has them. Im sure that will make them ACM me in the same way as I will ACM them. Tell you what Maverick... one day in the MA meet me in a sector and we'll both use friendly icons only for one fight. Then YOU turn icons off and I will use full icons. Perhaps then you will understand my point.
"Frankly, with the large cockpit obstructions (ie canopy rails) that you can't instantly look around like you could in RL by simply moving your head or using both eyes.."
Yes, of course. I forgot the human body is able to turn the neck around in less than .5 seconds and inmediately identify and range multiple things when under 6g's, then do a similar scan of every possible view under the same g's.
AH is becoming a lot more like Fighter Ace and MS Combat sim. Its becoming a GAME more than a simulation. Take away the enemy icons and you will inmediately notice a GREAT difference in how dogfights are done. A great, great difference.
That you dont have depth perception? So what? Dont tell me you cant tell the difference between a DOT and a plane shape (and yes, AH's planes DO grow in size when you get closer)? I have no problems judging distance with icons off.
"Weee Tac, ever tried "no icons" at all in a historical planeset fight? Man, that was a long time ago but it was the most fun I had in AH! I shot down a friendly 109 because I mistook it for a Spit - aww, come on in a front quarter approach they both have light spinners"
Hehe, only in H2H. Ive not been able to catch a SEA with no icons. All the ones ive been in use historical planeset but use full icons (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif) . BTW, that has historical precedence.. both the LW and RAF pilots hated that the spit and 109s looked similar, many friendly fire cases too.
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I don't think the technology is up to no icons yet. Period.
I think you'll find that most people that have done a lot of RL flying feel that the PC/monitor combo is WAY more limiting and restricting than RL.
That's why we have icons.
EDIT: BTW, this is not to say that I don't think the present icon system couldn't be improved. There have been a lot of threads on that subject and some fine ideas have surfaced.
You want "no icons" as a difficulty level, that's one idea and a choice you can campaign for HTC to implement. But it's a "game" factor.
You want "no icons" as a realism factor and I think that's an entirely different thing. I feel it would be incorrect given the "state of the art".
[This message has been edited by Toad (edited 01-27-2001).]
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Historical Arena Please, HTC.
Icons are a necessary evil to bring in the paying gaming customers and the only way out for a simmer is an arena with historical matchups and enough guys to support it.
I hope it is soon,
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When did they put this thing in here and WTF is it for?
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Tac,
What is your point. If you don't like the icons then turn them off. It's your choice. Just don't try to limit my choices. I pay $30.00 like (I hope) the majority of players do. I see no reason to limit it for many other players because you don't like them. You want to label me an addict, that is your problem, you own it I don't.
Mav
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Mav, what are you here for? To enjoy a simulation of WW2 combat (aka ACM) or to just play a game?
ACM without icons and you will notice a HUGE difference in your dogfights. Its such a radical difference that you start flying with a totally different perspective. You have to try it out.
Icons make this sim be just a harder FM Fighter Ace. And that is very sad imho (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
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i agree
right now my defensive style of fighting i used left m helpless in a iconless environment
right now i can do lots of reversals, quickly hit the number keys and re acquire once i see red
i was playing h2h no icons, and without them i would loose my persuer and he would get me since i didnt know which way to dodge next
was more exciting imo
but cant do no icons without historical planesets, and historical planesets impossible till planeset isf fleshed out
so for now i want icons. once we have a complete set, noo icons id be up for.
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I always liked the idea that if you turned enemy icons off, the enemies would loose your icon as well. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) And I can only imagine the whine flood on this forum if it was implemented. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
Zigrat, you are right - no icons gaming needs a historical planeset. Such as in scenarios. Unfortunately, right now, the CM's can't disable icons or edit the distances. There are two preset settings, short (nme icons D3k) and far (MA settings, D6k). But if we're talking about friendly only icons - that doesnt need a historical planeset.
Friendly only icons -games are so much fun. Some of my squaddies play at 800x600 on a 15" monitor and have absolutely no problems in an iconless environment. Everything can be learned. Those who protest because they are not used to it - try it for example in the TA or host a H2H game!
Here's what reduced icon settings -gaming is at its best: (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) AAR's from the two LLv34 vs 5 GIAP squadron duels:
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/Forum7/HTML/000124.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/Forum7/HTML/000124.html)
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/Forum7/HTML/000320.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/Forum7/HTML/000320.html)
Camo
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Camouflage
XO, Lentolaivue 34
www.muodos.fi/LLv34 (http://www.muodos.fi/LLv34)
Brewster into AH!
"The really good pilots use their superior judgement to keep them out of situations
where they might be required to demonstrate their superior skill."
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you guys want no icons
have it set where your perk ponits is 4x if you have the icons off. have it where you have to set it before you take off in the tower. full icons= 1x perk
friendly only = 2x perk
no icons = 4x perk
RWY
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I may be missing your point Zigrat, but why cant you have no enemy icons unless you have a historical planeset?
I am not pushing for a NO ICONS arena, as the vast difference of AC (and lack of german/italian/japanese AC like bombers and stuff) would make ID'ng a friendly be utterly impossible. FRIENDLY ICONS ONLY arena would ID your countrymates and fix that..anything without an icon is of course, a target (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) .
In the SEA it would be perfect to have no icons, as it is where the historical planesets would be used.
[This message has been edited by Tac (edited 01-28-2001).]
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well no icons isnt gonna happen in teh ma because of gamers like mav,
so i would like the sea 3k settings to be implimented into the ma
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I absolutely love flying no icons against others. One of my favorite fights happened in the Med map, near sunset..109 vs. 109.
Camo was that you? Been quite some time ago. We looped, extended...I lost him several times against the water, only to catch him agains the sky once I went low. Was most exciting.
And yes if there was a way that I could turn off enemy Icons and they wouldn't be able to see mine I'd be satified.
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Wingnut
Luftjagerkorps
(http://www.facelink.com/edit/raw/rawimage/27/1444127.gif)
The quality of the box matters little. Success depends upon the man who sits in it - Baron Manfred von Richthofen
[This message has been edited by Wingnut_0 (edited 01-28-2001).]
[This message has been edited by Wingnut_0 (edited 01-28-2001).]
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just for the record... I also luv the "no icon variety" (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
I wonder if those who want icons have ever tried flying without them...
I've had the luck to fly without icons in WB and find that the: "Monitors are too limited to reflect RL argument" absolutly incorrect.
1) Predicting Range not accurate with monitor... RL Pilots had the same probs - Erich Hartmans advice was to get real close before firing. Worked great for me in WB.
2) Can't move head like in RL... RL Pilots diden't fly in sunny weather 100% of the time like we do in AH. RL pilots had to cope with haze, clouds, sun glare, canopy reflections etc.
3) You lose your opponent too fast... Well, it's way better if the opponent gets the "chance" to actually manouver out of sight than the way it is now - for now its near impossible to shake someone of one's tail, no matter how "smart" your move was (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
4) Camoflage: Totally useless with icons. The day I flew WB without icons I spent a lot of time low lvl. In AH you "know" the only way to win a dogfight is coming in higher than your opponent (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/frown.gif)
I find it strange that people interested in "flying WWII aircraft" woulden't at least want to get the chance to experience how it "must have been back then".
Losing icons is one step in the right direction.
Effdub
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Aye, in my opinion it is THE step towards it.
Icons are crack... curse all them pothead iconjunkies! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
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Anyone remember that short period around the time of 1.04 when the TA was icon-less?
It was absolutely amazing. I remember coming off fights there with my heart pounding and my hands shaking.
For someone who enjoys ACM and not simply 'shoot when range hits 500yds' it was the most immersive time I've ever spent in AH.
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=357th Pony Express=
Aces High Training Corps
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Tac, $5 says icons OFF never happens in the MA. Realism junkies, yeesh. I fly with different icon settings all the time. In H2H games I'll turn 'em off, friendly only, or plane type only. I don't care which, because it's something different and I can control it. You sit someone new down in front of your comp and crank AH. You get him in the MA and into a nice little fight. Without icons you can't expect new people to get any kills. This means very few new players will come over to AH.
Every time I flew in the MA I had icons ON, same goes for the TA most of the time. If you want no icons, get enough people here to justify a Historical or Realistic Arena. Once that happens I'm sure HT or Pyro will set one up. And three weeks later it'll be closed due to a lack of users.
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Flakbait [Delta6]
Delta 6's Flight School (http://www.worldaccessnet.com/~delta6)
Put the P-61B in Aces High
"With all due respect Chaplian, I don't think God wants to hear from me right now.
I'm gonna go out there and remove one of His creations from this universe.
And when I get back I'm gonna drink a bottle of Scotch like it was Chiggy von Richthofen's blood and celebrate his death."
Col. McQueen, Space: Above and Beyond
(http://www.worldaccessnet.com/~delta6/htbin/custom1.jpg)
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Im pushing for friendly icons only in the MA flakbait, not for all icons off. Itd be a nightmare with all icons off if there is no historical planeset that could give you a hint of who is who in the skies.
Almost everyone that comes into AH has experience from other sims. Be they from other online sims or from single players like Jane's WW2 Fighters or Aces of the Pacific or whatever. Ive only come across ONE person in the MA which didnt know that pulling back on the stick pulled the nose up. Havent seen that 2 weeker again.
To be truthful though, any newbie here WONT get any kills in his/her first few days, AH skies are full of mercyless vets (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) They'll even chute them too!
Realism junkies?
*sarcasm mode on*
Hmm.. okay. Set all the planes to behave at their best at any alt, tone the FM so that newbies can turnfight without stalling, add more ammo so I can spray & stay in a furball longer... and oh yeah, get rid of that Torque effect on the airplanes, it doesnt allow me to land my F4U. Im in AH to play and have fun, not because it is one of the best "realistic" ww2 air combat sims out there. I want AH to become like FA!! To hell with realism, I wanna play and have fun!
*sarcasm mode off*
Get my point? As long as there are enemy icon, screaming your position and laser-ranging you, you are GUARANTEED to NOT have a ww2-like dogfight. You may have the planes modeled perfectly, icons will still screw the whole reason why the planes are there in the first place.
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RWY, seems to have zipped over everyones head in this post..outstanding idea!
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icons = more $$$$
no icons = less $$$$
Guess which way it'll go....
Eagler
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quote:
"Without icons you can't expect new people to get any kills. This means very few new players will come over to AH."
Hmmm, people fly AH only to get kills? That's the only goal? Really...?
I don't think so... When I started flying online I did it because I was interested in airial combat. I build aiplane models, I've read books on the subject, I wanted a game that simulates that so I joined WB. I was killed alot in the beginning but I had expected that. Did it stop me from flying? no!
Bottom line: don't underestimate a newbies motives, don't treat 'em like babies - even you started as a newbie once...
Newbies accept limited ammo, torque, energy models, stalls etc... do you really think they would not accept a "no icon arena?"
Well, maybe I'm wrong - maybe this really is a "quake generation" that dosen't give a damn about flightsims, as long as they get their instant guarranteed kill as soon as they enter the MA for the first time.
WB had a relaxed arena for those newbies you're talking about... but when they "grow up" they'll be looking for something that's more fun, and flying without Icons IS fun - the "realism factor" is just a side effect.
I'm ok with simply pressing "E" to start up the engines - I'm well aware that's not realistic, but it has no significant relevance in gameplay if I fiddle with "auto rich" or whatever, but icons have a huge impact on gameplay.
Aw well, HTC wants to appeal to a mass market so they have to make a game that's toned down so that even people without an specific interest in WWII combat would want to play... but if that's the case, why would WE want to fly AH?
Effdub (has flown without icons (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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You can take away Icons when you give me a virtual reality headset with a resolution and frame rate equal to real life and when there are no lag jumps on the part of the enemy. Then it will be realistic.
All the talk you guys are doing now is BS. Realism, my ass. What you're suggesting is so much more difficult than reality its scary. And you think its realistic. Thats laughable.
Face it, you guys just want to make it harder so you can pride yourselves on being "l33t".
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We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother
Sisu
-Karnak
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Tac: Flip side sarcasim.
All planes should require 10 min warm up and preflight, All fields should be spaced at least 1:00 hour flying time arpart, no airfield was ever that close together, all auto pilots should be removed because most planes didn't have them, and you should have a relife tube so you can't leave your chair, oh yah need to get rid of the channel 100 because in WWII no one ever talked to the enemy, an if you die you should never be able to play the game again.
Sarcasm off:
I realy do get sick of the realism argument because people who use it only wan't there special nit pick on realism but want to protray realism as the only goal worth going after. To that I say bull pucky, Realism is a game issue just like every other topic such as, fun,socail issues, technical issues , balencing getting new players into the game vs provideing a challeng for older players,balancing the difference in all peoples equipment some people have 25" monitors running at 1600x1200 others run 17" at 800x600 now tell me no icons is even close to fair between those 2 different systems.
HiTech
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HT, I used that realism comparison because the ACM without icons is truely something completely different than ACM with icons. All im focusing here is the difference in ACM with icons and without.
For me, one thing is realism for the modeled airplanes (aka, engine management and the what not) and icons is something different. Im not saying AH HAS to be completely realistic, im saying that icons make ACM'ing be so radically different from all the dogfight accounts ive read, all the ww2 gun footage/films ive seen, pilot interviews (bless Discovery Wings and the History Channel! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) ) , etc. that I come to AH and dont see anything that comes even close to it due to icons. Go to H2H, no enemy icons..WOW. It hits "the spot" smack on target.
"and you should have a relife tube so you can't leave your chair"
Dude, if you can model THAT i'll sell ya my soul! (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
I've ran AH in 640X480 and in the 1280X1024 mode. The game does look different perspective-wise, but its still the same thing imho. Well, no, the dots and cons do look bigger in 640X480 (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif) I have a 17" viewable monitor, my H2H pals (neighbors) have 15" viewable (he can play in 32 bit mode argh! it looks so much nicer!). I personally dont see any significant difference. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/confused.gif)
BTW, what is this "RWY" and "L33T" thing I read so much about? Im clueless (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif).
[This message has been edited by Tac (edited 01-30-2001).]
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some people have 25" monitors running at 1600x1200 others run 17" at 800x600 now tell me no icons is even close to fair between those 2 different systems.
So tell me why we have accurate to the yard laser ranging all the way from 6000yds to 0?
I can accept the need for some kind of icon, but continuous range data? We had this back in AW in 1985. 15 years later and we are still stuck in the same old icon model? 3d graphics, 32 bit colour, average monitor size has increased from 14" to 17", higher resolutions on those monitors.
And THIS is the best we can do in 2001?
Seriously HT, Aces High has raised the bar on so many aspects of WW2 flight 'sims' or 'games'. Remember when some on other boards were saying AH would never be able to implement clouds - they were too bandwidth intensive? Well, you guys did it, and did it brilliantly. Ground vehicles, ships, 3d cockpits, drop tanks, damage modelling: all those things raised AH above its competition.
Surely in 2001 there is a different way of representing distance between aircraft. Whether it be sliding range bars, icons which are time and range dependent, differing icon modes varying with range .....
I just don't see where any of that is going to disadvantage someone using a lower resolution display.
[This message has been edited by Jekyll (edited 01-30-2001).]
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Why not try some sort of compromise? Maybe HT could alternate days of friendly icons and full icon options in the main arena. Cheesy? Maybe, but its a start to ending the madness of endless debates.
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-=///Octavius\\\=-
VMF-323 "Death Rattlers"
MAG-33
(AKA Executor)
Maz203@aol.com
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HT will do what he thinks needs to be done for his game, not give in to endless BBS posting.
ACM with icons is one thing, ACM without enemy icons is completely different. IMHO, without enemy icons the game suddenly becomes frighteningly realistic. You can taste the combat. You can surprise, bounce, sneak in, make the other lose sight of you, etc.Many of my iconless fights end up with both fighters losing sight and extending and disengaging. Surprisingly, enemy-iconless fights have a LOT of return-to-base with kills.. because you CAN escape with a less capable craft from the endless hordes of high alt high speed planes that will see your smacking red icon below them as you return to base OR as you disengage from a furball.
Icons are heroin. (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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Had a bunch of ex-squaddies join me Saturday night for a H2H session. Friendly collisions were on, killshooter off, friendly icons only.
On my 17" monitor I had no problems at all fighting against enemy aircraft. In fact, ACM became much more intense.
Situation in point: I'm in a 190, and I've just been bounced by a P51. He's sitting on my tail, probably within 200 yds. I did a high G snap roll and forced him to overshoot, dived into his blind spot and killed him when he zoomed.
Now you could NEVER pull that kind of maneuver with icons on. As soon as the enemy aircraft saw the range rapidly closing, he'd chop throttle/go into a snap roll of his own, and be back on your tail. To say nothing of the fact that in the MA he would have been shooting from 500yds out, and would probably have nailed me before I even saw him.
It was so much fun in fact that we're doing it again this Saturday. Eastern Front this time ... 109s and 190s against La5s and Yaks in the Russian terrain.
Should be a hoot (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Exactly my point Jekyll.
Hey, any chance of sneaking my worthless hide on your next H2H? (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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Serious question.
If "no/extremely low icon" flying and a HA style arena is such a great thing, why has the WB's HA been such an abysmal failure?
Low numbers even in prime time, completely empty in nonstandard times.
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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
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Actually... I think the no icon = more realistic is a joke. IRL I can tell what direction a plane at 30,000 feet is traveling from the ground... yet in a 'no icon' AH I wouldn't be able to at a few K. Is that more realistic? And yes... I am aware IRL planes don't have icons... but this is a simulation... and in my opionion... the icons make up for what you can't display with current technology. Losing them would certainly make AH more difficult and less realistic. Perhaps it would be more fun... but it wouldn't be more realistic.
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Geez Verm, Paxil....there ya go with that logic stuff again...
(http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Hey! Semi transparant icons!!
<shoves socks in own mouth>
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Verm: because people go to the arena with most numbers. Its group behaviour. That is why I wouldnt want AH to have more than 1 arena. Split the numbers and the fun goes down the drain.
"but this is a simulation"
With icons its a game. Without enemy icons it does become a simulation imho. Try and fly in a H2H or even try in the TA without enemy icons and see the difference (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Westy! Nooo! We want blinking bright pink icons with psychodelic twisting twirls (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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How about a big 'ENEMY THIS WAY' sign that floats in front of the plane? =) JK... seriously though... how about having the snap views a certain amount of time... so you couldn't glance back there every other second while flying. Maybe a 1/2 or 1/4 second delay? Would make it tough to keep looking back all the time. Also... wouldn't mind icons disappearing in areas where you wouldn't be seeing a plane in RL... like from the sun.
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Both good ideas Paxil. Maybe make the delay proportional to distance. The farther away a plane is, the longer you have to "stare" at it to determine rate of closure.
The sun glare thing is still on the HTC list. Hope to see it soon.
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IRL I can tell what direction a plane at 30,000 feet is traveling from the ground...
Well, you could do exactly the same in AH with no icons Paxil. Standing on the ground places you at a fixed reference point, and the aircraft above you is travelling in a different plane of travel, so obviously you could easily tell which direction it is headed. Duh!
Same thing occurs in the arena, at 'beyond icon' ranges. You see a dot in the distance and you can tell whether it is travelling across your path or towards you long before the icon comes up.
And Verm, you know full well why the WB HA has low numbers. Because it became a furball arena. You'd see a dot, not know whether it was friend or foe, and dive down on it only to find it was a fellow countryman. AH has the means to overcome this problem, the 'Friendly Icon Only' setting.
Tac. Dont know whether our timezones would be compatible for you. But if you're interested, 'Ostfront H2H' will be kicking off 11am UTC on Saturday. Check a timezone converter to convert UTC to your local time zone. Probably early morning for you I'd think.
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Actually Jekyll... on my system I wouldn't see a dot at that distance (what is dot range... 10K?)... and if there was... it wouldn't move for minutes on end... then when it finally did... it would jump who knows where... and btw... you can't tell what direction the plane is traveling by looking at what direction the nose is pointing... which is pretty darn hard to ascertain from a dot.
Peace
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My wingman and I followed a dot for 2 sectors until we cought up with it, we didnt know where he was going or what range he was at but we could manage to tell his direction by flying level and seeing where the dot drifted to. If it drifted to the right, then he was going to the right and we adjusted our noses accordingly. When he drifted to the left the same thing. The dots do grow a bit in size as you get closer. The slicky 190 decided to fight us in a cloud layer and a fun fight evolved.. he had led us to his high alt 190 wingman!.
For almost all cases you will know where those dots are going, otherwise you would now never be able to engage them. Cons DO appear as dots waaay before the icon comes up. And usually at 7 or 6k range, if you zoom your view you will notice its not a dot anymore, its a little plane.
You are correctly judging direction and range of a dot right now paxil, pay attention to what you do when you see a dot that you know on dar its enemy.