Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: VonMessa on July 31, 2009, 10:51:53 AM
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Screwing the player base is probably the last thing on the agenda of HTC. I usually doesn't bode well for the bottom line.
If some guys still have issues with the game, it's not quite yet the end of the world. I don't claim to know all the innermost secrets of HiTech's SOP or their business model, but the complaints/threats to close accounts are already getting a bit old.
I would wager total staff is less than 10. Pretty impressive for the most accurately modeled combat flight sim on the market. Especially for the average price of $00.50/day.
Sure, they could deliver us a super duper game, prepackaged like a fillet Mignon dinner without bugs, patches, and raring to go. They could slap some kind of logo feces on it like EA does, or have some famous WWII pilot narrate a fancy flash intro that wastes your time when you could be flying.
I bet it wouldn't be $14.95/month anymore. Development teams cost money. They also usually don't have such a diverse background and wide range of different equipment. Lots of times they are more educated than the common player and have better rigs.
Here's a clue....... Me? You? Us? The community?
WE are the development team :x
WE are the beta testers :x
WE are the feedback team, the skinners, the CM's, the arena staff members, the terrain makers, etc.
Nowhere else could HTC find such a diverse range of rigs that people play on, feedback, different skills levels with a computer, etc. That is how (I'm pretty sure, at least) that they can keep the cost to play, palatable.
What an awesome approach to running a business, and what an awesome community. :aok
I know of no other game that lets its player base have such involvement in the development of it's product without shoving down your throat how "uber" their new game is. If your system can't run our "uber" game, then piss off, buy a better rig is how they will respond.
I doubt that HTC's intent is to drive off anyone. I'm am sure, however, that they are trying to make things better for us all. They DO have to keep evolving to be competitive. Show me another software company that works as closely with their player base as this one. How many others will respond, within minutes, to a tech issue on their forums? Do you think the #1 geek at EA will wake up out of a sound sleep, log into an arena, actually make his/her presence known, and ask questions to fix an issue like I have seen Skuzzy (and other HTC staff) do? Doubt it.
For you guys crying (yes I say crying, because most of the responses have been "I'll just cancel my account" ) how about an alternative if you REALLY need to upgrade.......
Most hobbies require some investment of time and/or money.
How much you are willing to invest all depends on how serious one is about their hobby.
Sometimes investing a little more time can be equal to money.
Use Craig's list, or hell, even post questions here.
I'm sure there are players in the community that have upgraded their equipment just to make their rig scream (not just to run this particular game) that may be willing to part with an older Video card that is better than the one you have for a modest fee. Hell, there may be guys whose wives are nagging them "Honey, when are you going to get rid of that pile of computer "junk" in the garage?"
My system is not "uber", nor is it "junk". It was, however, fairly inexpensive. The one I am running the game on, now is cobbled together from scavenged parts....
Tower, MoBo, CPU, Power Supply ------- Rescued from fire at my work a few years age (smoke stained but working)
HDD ------ 500 GB for < $100 online
Ram ------------ 2 GB ~ $100
Video Card ----------- Free, scavenged from a computer my uncle blew the MoBo on and he bought a new one (Here Dan, you want this for parts?)
As for my brewing hobby, most everything was free, from Craig's List, or cheap from the corkboard ads at the Homebrew shop
It IS possible that if you feel you really, really, absolutely MUST upgrade to make your hobby more enjoyable, there are alternatives to forking out big bucks.
Ask your squaddies, ask around on this BBS.
It is all about how important your hobby (in this case Aces High) is to you, and how resourceful you are.
You can't expect HTC to stay in the stone age and still make improvements on the game at the same time.
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Awesome post! Down with EA...Long live HTC!
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:salute
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Nice post sir :salute
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Why do these people just not turn off the advanced graphic options, is it REALLY that hard to figure out?
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more more!!
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Especially for the average price of $00.50/day.
Except in February. I was thinking of quitting unless HTC adds two days to February.
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Good post
I love the new game. I hope this weeds out some of the whiners...
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Good post
I love the new game. I hope this weeds out some of the whiners...
:aok
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WTH????
common sense????? how dare you!!??
WTG dude....nice post. :aok
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Why do these people just not turn off the advanced graphic options, is it REALLY that hard to figure out?
For some people it may be.........
The support staff has been most accommodating.
They are not asking for much.
Dxdiag and which settings you are running, Perhaps some film from time to time.
In response they get whines.
<phone rings>
"Hello, HTC, this is Pyro"
"Puter no more playee gamesez"
"Send me some diagnostic info, Ill tell you how to do it"
"Boo Hoo, Youz guysez are teh suxor"
This is what I'm seeing a lot of.
I mean, seriously, how many software development companies will bend over backwards and all but fork over their source code to help a customer?
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:salute
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Von, :salute Another positive thread to the issues some are having, what a breath of fresh air. DON"T give up guys, try things even if people say " no don't do" I started out with frame rates around 20. Now a couple days later my frame rates are in the 60's in the air.
Yea I had to play with video settings, resolutions, refresh rates, and my vid card settings too. No I cannot run 1680x1050 at 60fps, but I never did, I had no clue what the game even looked like at that resolution, yea its reall cool, but where I'm at now ( 11?? x 8?? don't remember the exact numbers) looks so close it is not funny. The only issue I have is fuzzy gauges, slight zoom in and they clear up. Maybe it will be fixed, maybe not, but I know my plane well enough I know what gauge is what and where the needle should be anyways. Everything else is really good IMO.
Keep playing around and trying, find the best that works. I'm sure HTC has no intent on losing 1 customer if they can help it, it would be bad business.
:salute
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Von are you sober??? :huh
Nice post. <S> :)
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Von, that's ridiculous. Giving back to the community (and even *gasp* having fun in the process) is just way too much work. I don't pay $15 a month to do work, after all.
<- Is enjoying the update.
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All I really care about is that I can still fly. :) The planes still handle the way they used to and the bullets and bombs still blow stuff up.
Yeah, I have to dial the terrain and resolution down to get a workable frame rate, but as far as I'm concerned "I'll have to upgrade at some point if I want the game to look better" is infinitely preferable to "I'll have to upgrade right now if I want to keep playing."
Thanks to HTC for accommodating those of us who really don't care all that much about flashy graphics as well as those who do. :salute
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i agree with von apart from one important point, there are no chicks on our new beaches :mad:
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what happened to the iron X's tank / vehicle obstructions I think they would look really cool on the new terrain.
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On the first night, sent an e-mail to Skuzzy asking for help and gave him most of my system specs. And he responded with several ideas!
And the game got better!
Then yesterday, I get another, unsolicited, e-mail from Skuzzy which read, "How's it going?" (And this is the guy who bans me from the forums and the text buffer!)
Now I ask: Where else are you going to find that level of technical support?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? You won't!
So sit down, suck your thumb for a minute, and then work the problem. Send HTC your questions in a polite manner (you catch more flies with honey than vinegar) and, much to your amazement, you'll get more help than you have a right to expect for $15/month.
HTC isn't the bad guy here. They'll help if you give them a chance!
Outstanding job, HTC! I'll be a customer until they shut off my internet here in prison!
100Hooch
Inmate #6184326-44
p.s.: I still don't like the new terrain, even with the detail turned on.
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p.s.: I still don't like the new terrain, even with the detail turned on.
:huh
The old terrain looked ridiculous. TBH I don't think the new low detail terrain looks that much worse.
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wow,GREAT thread! You put it right on the spot,HTC has better tech support than any other company I have tried to talk to. They're quick,and actually TRY to help you fix your problems.
unlike microsoft and hp... I have had to contact them a the past for problems,and all they really do is tell you what you know,sometimes they even told me question I asked them,lol example: me: "this microsoft patch did not fix the problem..." support n00b: "... did you try using the patch?" :)
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Great post, I couldn't have said it better my self. :aok Someone get this guy a free month. :D
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wow,GREAT thread! You put it right on the spot,HTC has better tech support than any other company I have tried to talk to. They're quick,and actually TRY to help you fix your problems.
unlike microsoft and hp... I have had to contact them a the past for problems,and all they really do is tell you what you know,sometimes they even told me question I asked them,lol example: me: "this microsoft patch did not fix the problem..." support n00b: "... did you try using the patch?" :)
In fairness to the MS support guys, at low levels they are not allowed to deviate from their scripts even if they know the solution or know the script is wrong for liability reasons. Thus it goes with large corporations.
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In fairness to the MS support guys, at low levels they are not allowed to deviate from their scripts even if they know the solution or know the script is wrong for liability reasons. Thus it goes with large corporations.
so microsoft is keeping their support team from supporting people,lol
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I think aceshigh customer service is very good,but they have still not got back to me about how I reset the time on my DVD player. :t
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I reset the time on my DVD player.
To reset the time on your DVD player, unplug it, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in again.
(finally a question I can answer!)
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so microsoft is keeping their support team from supporting people,lol
That is standard call center policy. To go off the script you need to get bumped up to level 3 or 4 usually.
In corporate America, customer support call centers primary job is not to help the customer, it is to keep call length to a minimum. In fact, phone monkeys will be fired based on having an average call time that exceeds a certain length.
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This game has improved, i took of from a cv yesterday and looked back at the cv it look very very good, reflections in the water from ship and planes :aok
Not to sure about shadows in the plane though BEER+SHADOWS= :uhoh
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To reset the time on your DVD player, unplug it at twelve o'clock, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in again.
(finally a question I can answer!)
You forgot a small instruction Del, I fixed it for you. :D
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No, he said to reset his clock, not to set it.
That is why I used italics on the 'reset' in my comment. :devil
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Not trying to be negative here, was a great post! As far as the quote..... Says who?
<S>
Grind
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To reset the time on your DVD player, unplug it, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in again.
(finally a question I can answer!)
I prefer to use a large wrench, then use a RMA form and say, "It came like that in the box."
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Nice post sir :salute
I have said it before Spikes, and I will say it again, save your finger strength, no one pays a word of attention to anything you type.
bouncey bouncey bouncey bouncey is all we see when you post :D
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:salute
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Good post Von :salute
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I started playing AH around Nov last year. So I am still a n00b or what ever you call these newbies. As some have read in the tech support forum here on the board, they will know I have a low end Laptop. The old version gave me frame rates around 50-60. Now they go between 2 and 200. Mostly 20+/-. Skuzzy helped with some good advices and its running now better then 5 days ago. Also, i unchecked detailed terrain, water reflexions and all the other fancy stuff, I am still able to drive a tank, have some nice gv battles and some nice bomb runs with my B17. I would like to see how AH looks, when all the graphic settings are put to max. But...I canīt now. Maybe later, when I am able to get a new computer. Sure, I can play other WWII sims. But what I will miss and wonīt get, are you guys, the player base! Thats the reason I stick to AH and pay my monthly $$. :salute
Regards
Ike
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To add to this already great post by the OP.
The biggest thing you can do to make this game better not only for yourself but for everyone is wash/repeat any bug you find.
What I mean is this
Bug Happens = Try and repeat it. Use in game video or whatever resources you have to capture the bug if possible.
Always list off your Computer Specs and Information along with driver versions (this makes a big difference even for 2 rigs that are the exact same in hardware but running different drivers)
Make sure to list off your monitor along with res and Hertz that your monitor is running at. I say this because there are many people in this game that play on various equipment. Monitors now days along with older monitors can range from anywhere to 50hz to over 200hz (if you have a wad of cash to blow on it)
Attach a crash report if possible.
What Arena/Map you where in and was it Full or light in players. (This is a server load issue, ensure you let them know when your seeing these problems, was server full or empty)
Can you repeat your problem in offline mode? (This is a connectivity test, if you are seeing studders in Online and Offline, then it is not your connection or theirs) This can help you narrow down a problem in your video card, sound card, or memory. Yes Sound devices can cause effects to become visual as the computer tried to sync Audio and Video together.
As an IT tech I will tell you now, I have serious doubts that I could not get any single one of your PC's running this game playably with just a little work and research. But I am not at your computer. You are, do some reading and digging and I am more than certain that you can find that answers to many of the problems you guys are having.
If you PC is just not strong enough to run the game. I would suggest you check out Pricewatch.com. You can find some very very cheap upgrades to what your already using that will fit just about any computer out there and can fit just about anyones budget. Seriously you pay 15$ a month to play a game, willing to bet many of you also have Cable TV and other things that you spend much more money in then your computer. So what is $30 really going to hurt you in the overall scheme of things. It would allow you to play this game that you obviously care so much about.
Lastly, requesting that a product stay in an era of visual quality that was surpassed 10years ago is rather selfish and not look at the big picture. What does not get better and improved, normally gets thrown to the wayside. Even toilet paper gets improved on a yearly basis. I can play this game on a system I built 6 years ago simply as a storage device for my online needed files for IT. I am pretty sure with just a little adjustments your PC will work just fine.
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To add to this already great post by the OP.
The biggest thing you can do to make this game better not only for yourself but for everyone is wash/repeat any bug you find.
What I mean is this
Bug Happens = Try and repeat it. Use in game video or whatever resources you have to capture the bug if possible.
Always list off your Computer Specs and Information along with driver versions (this makes a big difference even for 2 rigs that are the exact same in hardware but running different drivers)
Make sure to list off your monitor along with res and Hertz that your monitor is running at. I say this because there are many people in this game that play on various equipment. Monitors now days along with older monitors can range from anywhere to 50hz to over 200hz (if you have a wad of cash to blow on it)
Attach a crash report if possible.
What Arena/Map you where in and was it Full or light in players. (This is a server load issue, ensure you let them know when your seeing these problems, was server full or empty)
Can you repeat your problem in offline mode? (This is a connectivity test, if you are seeing studders in Online and Offline, then it is not your connection or theirs) This can help you narrow down a problem in your video card, sound card, or memory. Yes Sound devices can cause effects to become visual as the computer tried to sync Audio and Video together.
As an IT tech I will tell you now, I have serious doubts that I could not get any single one of your PC's running this game playably with just a little work and research. But I am not at your computer. You are, do some reading and digging and I am more than certain that you can find that answers to many of the problems you guys are having.
If you PC is just not strong enough to run the game. I would suggest you check out Pricewatch.com. You can find some very very cheap upgrades to what your already using that will fit just about any computer out there and can fit just about anyones budget. Seriously you pay 15$ a month to play a game, willing to bet many of you also have Cable TV and other things that you spend much more money in then your computer. So what is $30 really going to hurt you in the overall scheme of things. It would allow you to play this game that you obviously care so much about.
Lastly, requesting that a product stay in an era of visual quality that was surpassed 10years ago is rather selfish and not look at the big picture. What does not get better and improved, normally gets thrown to the wayside. Even toilet paper gets improved on a yearly basis. I can play this game on a system I built 6 years ago simply as a storage device for my online needed files for IT. I am pretty sure with just a little adjustments your PC will work just fine.
LoL Jarax.... I'm playing on a ten year old 850 mHz system, (THAT's RIGHT, 850 mHZ!) overclocked both the processor and the gpu, and getting FR around 45. These whiners must have too many err....."pictures" or "nature movies" on their rigs.
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Well said my friend and kudos to the HTC Staff. :salute
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Why do these people just not turn off the advanced graphic options, is it REALLY that hard to figure out?
It's difficult to hear the truth, it's easier to blame someone else. That is the very thing happening right now.
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LoL Jarax.... I'm playing on a ten year old 850 mHz system, (THAT's RIGHT, 850 mHZ!) overclocked both the processor and the gpu, and getting FR around 45. These whiners must have too many err....."pictures" or "nature movies" on their rigs.
This is my point exactly. Ah2 with this new patch still has 1/2 if not less the requirements to play then ANY modern game on the market. Unless you count solitary. A rig properly maintained and operated can run this game even below the min spec requirements. If people would just take half the time they spend whining and tried to learn or fix their problems, they would be playing the game rather then on the Boards.
Now, I understand this does not apply to all the problems people are seeing, but I will venture to say 80% of the problems you see can be resolved on your end with a little bit of research and a minor amount of work. In the end, this is electronics, they where not made to last forever, they are not supported forever, do not expect your computer to run your favorate game forever. If you do not move forward, you are left behind. This is the way of the world, and sorry to say if you cant beat them join them. I will do anything I can to help someone find a cheap upgrade within their budget or even to the extent of fixing it myself if I have time via encrypted log in services that will come at no cost to you. I will say however, do not come whining in order to get help. State your problem in a mature manner and I am sure people will bend over backwards to help you. Come here like a 12 yr old girl who just lost her dolly and I am pretty sure help will be the last thing you get from most of these guys.
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[quote author=VonMessa link=topic=270342.msg3379041#msg3379041 date=12490555
the most accurately modeled combat flight sim on the market.
Not trying to be negative here, was a great post! As far as the quote..... Says who?
<S>
Grind
Well, as far as I have seen.
Since you have asked me the question, the burden of proof lies upon you to prove otherwise. Most of the R & D of this game, so far, has been put into the flight model. Hence the "ho-hum" terrain up until now.
I can take or leave the terrain. The only concern I have for what the trees look like is when I am trying to not hit them, but hey, to each his own tastes.
I recall lots of folks clamoring for better "eye-candy".
It has arrived
My point here is that they probably should have sent out some vouchers for free cheese.
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Well, as far as I have seen.
Since you have asked me the question, the burden of proof lies upon you to prove otherwise. Most of the R & D of this game, so far, has been put into the flight model. Hence the "ho-hum" terrain up until now.
I can take or leave the terrain. The only concern I have for what the trees look like is when I am trying to not hit them, but hey, to each his own tastes.
I recall lots of folks clamoring for better "eye-candy".
It has arrived
My point here is that they probably should have sent out some vouchers for free cheese.
While I have not personally had a problem with the Tree's at this point, I am curious as to why people feel that their depth perception has changed so much in this game. Is it the new background clutter that you must rationalize in order to judge distance? The only cure to this will just be time spent playing.
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I have heard a lot of players state (in-game) that they have been hitting the water a lot. On average, ocean waves are ~ 10-12' (I'm guessing here) I would imagine that if any part of your a/c catches the crest of one of those, you are finished
I'm not saying that we actually have waves in-game, orthat it was HTC's intent to "model" them, but that would seem to be pretty accurate.
If and when I get that low in a fight, I just try to keep and eye the altimeter and stay above 50-100 ft. I noticed that I don't hit the water when I do that.
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Well, as far as I have seen.
Since you have asked me the question, the burden of proof lies upon you to prove otherwise. Most of the R & D of this game, so far, has been put into the flight model. Hence the "ho-hum" terrain up until now.
I can take or leave the terrain. The only concern I have for what the trees look like is when I am trying to not hit them, but hey, to each his own tastes.
I recall lots of folks clamoring for better "eye-candy".
It has arrived
My point here is that they probably should have sent out some vouchers for free cheese.
Fair enough, as far as you've seen... So what is that supposed to mean? Do you fly a lot of different WW2 warbirds? I wont say one way or another because there is really no way for me to know which sim/game is modeled the most accurate. I think the modeling is relevant to the particular sim. I've played other sims like this... I'm subscribed to another sim right now since I canceled my subscription to this game due to game play issues (not the game itself but rather to the way its played). I will tell you this, I hate the way the other game is modeled. I'm used to the AH modeling. The burning question I have is why are they modeled so differently? Oh, I might add they play the same way over there as they do here in AH. So I guess I'm the one with the game play issues. How I wish I could have my beloved AH F4U-1A over there.....I'll give it a month...still don't like it....I'll be back.
I'm with ya on the eye-candy! It's always been about the fight for me....finding a good one (win, lose or draw) is the hard part.
<S>
Grind
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It just seems that most other sims are very arcade-ish, compared to this one. Yes, you have the arcade-ish players in AH, but you can't do as many unrealistic things as you can in some other flight sims.
I would venture to say that FSX is modeled fairly well, but their combat flight sim leaves much to be desired.
To be honest, aside from researching the specs and capabilities of any specific warbiird and comparing it against what it can do in-game.
I personally (and I am fairly certain that I can speak for most folks here) have never flown any WWII a/c in real life, so I have nothing to compare it to.
It just seems that, from what I have read about certain a/c compared to how they perform in AH2, this game seems to hit closest to the mark. Maybe not perfect, but it is always evolving, and they are always making improvements.
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It just seems that most other sims are very arcade-ish, compared to this one. Yes, you have the arcade-ish players in AH, but you can't do as many unrealistic things as you can in some other flight sims.
I would venture to say that FSX is modeled fairly well, but their combat flight sim leaves much to be desired.
To be honest, aside from researching the specs and capabilities of any specific warbiird and comparing it against what it can do in-game.
I personally (and I am fairly certain that I can speak for most folks here) have never flown any WWII a/c in real life, so I have nothing to compare it to.
It just seems that, from what I have read about certain a/c compared to how they perform in AH2, this game seems to hit closest to the mark. Maybe not perfect, but it is always evolving, and they are always making improvements.
Yup, there is only so far a flight algorithm can get to real flying. This is by far the best modeled flight sim I have played. While I have not "flown" any WW2 birds I have been up in a number of A/C from the 2 seat conversion Trainers (P-51 and such) to modern day fighters (mech flights are so fun) in which the pilot normally took the pleasure in either making me pass out or trying to get me to blow chunks. Many of the other games skip on the flight model for more "candy". This game is the opposite, they skipped on the graphics for more flight model information. From the very limited stick time, and I promise you i was not allowed to do any hammer heads or barrel roles, this game seems to be the closest flight model I have seen to what I experienced in the actual aircraft.