Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Axis vs Allies => Topic started by: Dawger on July 10, 2011, 05:14:08 PM
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I haven't flown much the last six month due to a new job but I am thinking about getting back into it. I've kept my account active during this time because I believe in supporting the game while it has a no enemy icon option even if I can't fly in it.
So I need to know if enemy icons are going to remain on.
It is a simple question and an honest answer from the staff would be appreciated.
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Simple answer, yes, it is being seriously considered. We are working out the ranges to use for both friendly & enemy and moving to a standardized format, so it won't be varying from week to week. There is a thread below in this forum where you can give your opinion on what you would like for the ranges to be. More details will be coming in the future as they develop. :salute
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Btw, you can still turn off enemy icons on your own screen. That's what I plan to do, as I have now gotten so used to no icons that I want to keep it that way for myself. Also, I myself am in favor of turning icons on, as (personally) I see that as being a main reason for more players not flying in the arena. I am speaking just for myself here, not as a spokeman for the AvA staff. :salute
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i hope not
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Icons will be the same for both.
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Well, that will save me 15 bucks a month :salute
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Icons will be the same for both.
That will make it just another MA, with only two countries, of course.
Is there anything behind the scenes about turning on a third country?
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That will make it just another MA, with only two countries, of course.
It's too bad all the custom arena tables and other AvA-specific things don't survive a map reset, and there is no set map list for rotation. I kind of think you'd see lots of people in the AvA with short icons and the same type of base capture and map change as the MA. If there was a better side-balance mechanism other than the fair-play minded folks, I think it would be very popular - especially for the folks who would rather not have spit vs. spit and zeke vs. zeke, etc.
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That will make it just another MA, with only two countries, of course.
Is there anything behind the scenes about turning on a third country?
No.
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It's too bad all the custom arena tables and other AvA-specific things don't survive a map reset, and there is no set map list for rotation. I kind of think you'd see lots of people in the AvA with short icons and the same type of base capture and map change as the MA. If there was a better side-balance mechanism other than the fair-play minded folks, I think it would be very popular - especially for the folks who would rather not have spit vs. spit and zeke vs. zeke, etc.
people switch to even sides all the time. that never seems to be a problem. as for it being popular, it just needs more folks like you, in there every night.
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I guess I don't launch a Tony and expect to find a Spitfire on my azz.
How often did that happen?
RTR
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I guess I don't launch a Tony and expect to find a Spitfire on my azz.
How often did that happen?
RTR
Apparently a lot in 1944 SE Asia ;)
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,316096.0.html (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,316096.0.html)
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i like the current AvA setup as far as map terrin and objectives go.
the enemy icon range should be decreased to 600 IMO.
for friendlies i like it how it is.
<S> AvA staff
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Btw, you can still turn off enemy icons on your own screen...
Some great advice there. :aok Ranger :salute
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how about:
If you have icons turned on, you yourself become visible in icon range aswell, even to those without Icon's on.
If you have Icons off, you remain invisible to people, even icon users.and can not see others icons unless they themselves have Icon mode on. (to make this a bit fair, could just reduce the icon range detection)
just thoughts :salute
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how about:
If you have icons turned on, you yourself become visible in icon range aswell, even to those without Icon's on.
If you have Icons off, you remain invisible to people, even icon users.and can not see others icons unless they themselves have Icon mode on. (to make this a bit fair, could just reduce the icon range detection)
just thoughts :salute
You mean like this wishlist post?
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?topic=315098.0 (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php?topic=315098.0)
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Btw, you can still turn off enemy icons on your own screen. That's what I plan to do, as I have now gotten so used to no icons that I want to keep it that way for myself. Also, I myself am in favor of turning icons on, as (personally) I see that as being a main reason for more players not flying in the arena. I am speaking just for myself here, not as a spokeman for the AvA staff. :salute
The main reason I posted my opinion in the other thread with
friendly 6K - enemy 3K
friendly 4K - enemy 2K
both 3K
keep it like it currently is ( no enemy icons , with maybe short friendly icon )
is because this arena has always been like a roller coaster..... it goes up in players then it goes down ......... there is always a primetime of around 6PM EST to 10 or 11 PM EST that this arena has always been the most populated times, outside of special occassions........ no matter what the AvsA staff does, I feel this arena will always be what it is , a small map arena where a hard core group of players like to fly because of the "Axis vs Allies" plane match ups.... to me that is what seperates this arena from all others - the 2 sides only "Axis planes vs Allied planes"
icons on / icons off / icons limited ....... war campaigns...... special occassion battles.... all will draw in more players at the initial onslot.......but eventually it drains back down to what this arena has always done........ and tha is the roller coaster....
so to me it does not matter what the settings are..... as long as it is Allied vs Aixs planes that are matched up as best as possible to their Era early, mid, late, etc.......
90 to 95 % of AH community rather play in the Main Arena to fly what they want..... it has always been a very small minority of the community that rather fly in the AvsA instead of the main early/mid/late war arenas......
just a personal view of the last 10 years.......
<S>
TC
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And TC has nailed it.
We still would like to give it it's best chance to be a viable alternative on a nightly basis to those that would like to try something different than the any plane from any country dynamic.
That's why I have been less concerned lately with the icon settings then trying to provide something for many types of players including fighter jocks, bomber jocks and even ground pounders to have something to do in there.
It's taken me a long time to realize what TC summed up in one post.
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Yes, I agree, it's a small arena with historical matchups that is normally populated with smaller numbers of players. Part of the draw is the "no icon" concept, i.e. a more realistic appearance. And before someone leans back with a flaming spear, ya the argument goes on about 2D vs 3D, real world flying vs. pixel world flying, and basically the "this is the way we've always done it, so that's how we'll do it" opinion.
It is much harder to spot aircraft at all kinds of distances out there in the real world of aviation. That visual pick up distance can vary from miles to a few yards and be influenced by a host of different factors. Case in point. There is a thread in the MA and O'Club about the collision between a Skyraider and Mustang at the recent Duxford airshow. The Skyraider appears (on the video) to have flown into the Mustang while in the pitch up for landing.
(http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac270/puma44/skyraiderPonyMidAir.png)
How far apart where they when the Skyraider pilot lost sight? What caused the pilot to lose sight? And they were friendlies flying together, in formation, supposedly following one another in the pitch up for landing; not two opponents maneuvering against each other trying to evade detection from the other guy. Not to state the obvious, but, I will.....they didn't have big icons to keep track with each other.
In game, I would venture to guess, that each of us has a different computer/monitor/viewing setup. To draw a parrallel with the real world of flying, individual pilots have different influences that affect thier visual acuity on any given day. Two pilots sitting in the same cockpit very often scan and pick up "targets" at different distances. When the "visual" is made, each can react as necessary. In game, the pixels determine when a radar contact will become "visible". Again, different systems, different distances,.....kinda like outside in the real world. When that first pixel shows itself, there is an opportunity to make some decisions based on the opponents altitude, track across the ground, and the limited environmental factors we enjoy in game. At this point it's time to decide how to maneuver against the bandit. From here, regardless of what the opponent does it is a matter of the visual and keeping it. Lose sight, lose fight.
Some make the argument that having icons on, makes the fight more historical. Still no viable explaination of how. Seems to be based more on "this is how we've always done it". Back in the day they didn't have icons and they still don't. They adapted to the conditions of when and where they were fighting, just as can be done in game, and duked it out.
So, if some of us like icons, why not fly in the MA's? If some of us like no icons, why not maintain the unique AvA environment of no icons? Also, has turning on icons in the AvA increased the population?
:salute
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So, if some of us like icons, why not fly in the MA's? If some of us like no icons, why not maintain the unique AvA environment of no icons? Also, has turning on icons in the AvA increased the population?
:salute
AVA stands for Axis and Allied Arena. It doesn't stand for No Icon Arena and never has. It's purpose has always been to try and promote and support Axis and Allied aircraft matchups. Yes sometimes we stray away from it with things like Jet Week. The true purpose of the arena goes all the way back to the day when it was the CT. So telling people that want an Axis and Allied setup with icons to go to the MA isn't really an option for them is it? Plus we should be trying to get people to fly in the AVA not tell them to go fly somewhere else no matter our icon preferences. The issue has been decided and unless something changes the new standard is 3k for both.
<S>
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to repeat as I originally posted........ I only care that the AvsA keps with its tradition of historical planes match up.... and I don't care what the icons are going to be, I can do just as good with them on or with them off, given enough time to knock off the rust I have obtained......
but to state that here and now "Part of the draw is the -no icon- concept, i.e. a more realistic appearance" is kind of misleading the folks reading these threads......
this arena has been around for 9 to 10 years now and it has done everything under the sun ( like: fighter town type arena, squads/people trying to be king of the roost, war campaigns, weekly battles with objectives, reduced icon settings, no icon settings, friendly collisions turned on, etc etc )...... it looks like it is perhaps on a downward trend at this time, since this subject about "icons: on or off" has been brought up again and by the AvsA staff this time.......
Puma44, I may be wrong but I am going to assume you started playing Aces High somewhere around 2005 to 2006 ( or maybe 2007 as your bbs username says when you registered here ), but in all that time leading up until this "No Enemy Icons" debate / new settings of AvsA / or whatever we want to call it....... you yourself was not even participating in the AvsA at all, not until the debating & flaming started on the boards here in the AvsA Forum and in the General Discussion forum, which at that time this was another attempt at increasing the numbers in the AvsA........ and for a good while the numbers were up a little....... the flaming/debating died out and everyone calmed down...... but now here we are again, just like many times before in the past regarding "the AvsA & Player Numbers"
There has always been a draw to this arena, regardless if "no enemy icons" or "reduced icons for all" or "regular MA settings of icons"........
whatever the AvsA Staff decide to do, I am almost positive that we all will see an increase in the AvsA arena's activity........ for a while anyways........
So, if some of us like icons, why not fly in the MA's? If some of us like no icons, why not maintain the unique AvA environment of no icons? Also, has turning on icons in the AvA increased the population?
The funny thing is alot of us played in the AvsA for 8+ years and we always had icons of some sort for the most part....... so why not have 2 completely different setups...... Server # 1 hosts all offered arenas Early War, Mid War, Late War, AvsA, DA, SEA1 & SEA2 with icons and then on Server # 2 offer all the same arenas but have enemy icons turned off
I would venture to say that when they introduced/decided to make the AvsA "no enemy icons" that the population spiked up for a good bit of time, but it has since dwindled back down to the everyday/motnh/year normal routine of how this Arena has always been........... but any time in the past that the AvsA Staff has made a change or designed a month long / running campaign.... that the numbers increased significantly starting out..... but just like always they eventually dwindle.....
just my observation........ I did go and looked at your stats Puma all the way back to when you first showed up in the stats........ and checked on to see what arenas you participated in, so I could try and understand where you are coming from or to understand the reasoning of some of the posts you have made.........
As for the WWII plane accident that recently happened, that does not factor in to this discussion of icons/no icons...... it had nothing to do with losing sight.......but it had everything to do with Situational Awareness or lack of at the time the collision happened.......
<S> :cheers:
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oops... Shifty posted before I could finish typing... I am getting :old: :old: :old:
I think the arena will see an increase in numbers from the new adjustments of the icon settings , back to what they used to be.......
hopefully it will keep the arena populated
<S> AvsA Staff.......
TC
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Well, TC, glad we are back in conversation mode. :D
To be more specific, "Part of the draw is the no icon concept, i.e. more realistic appearance" was intended to state my opinion and observation of a few others who seem to like the no icon concept, not to mislead or dictate to anyone.
Yes, TC, you are wrong. I did not start playing AH until 2007. Started in the MAs and endured the hording, vulching, etc. until a year or so ago when I was introduced to the AvA and haven't been into the MAs more than a handful of times that I can remember. But, I'm sure you'll be able to find that in my stats. As far as when I started to participate in the AvA forum discussion, it had nothing to do with the timing of the subject matter, it was a matter of subject interest that I thought I might contribute to.
As far as my stats, I really don't care about mine, yours, or anyone else's. They don't mean anything to me. If you need them to satisfy yourself for some reason, then by all means, be my guest. I'm paying and playing for the fun, the historic aircraft, and occasional hint of realism. It's hard to understand the need to look up stats to understand where I'm coming from.
Now, since you've not been able to see where I'm coming from in my previous posts, here it is. I thouroghly enjoy AH and the near realism it offers. Based on my experience in the real world of aviation over the past years, this on line game is as close as it gets....and Hi Tech and his gang continue to improve it. Wow! :aok So, for my $14.95 a month, I'm going for all the reality of I can get. That's why I'm a proponent of no icons. I am not dictating, suggesting, etc, to anyone how to play the game. I am offering up ideas and suggestions based on real world experience.
I like the idea of 2 servers, one with icons, one without. That is some great, out of the box thinking! :aok
I agree that the Sky Raider/ Pony mid air had to do with Situational Awareness but, that situational awareness was lost when maintaining the visual with lead was lost. A major violation of the basic contract of formation flying (in the real world). Had visual with lead been maintained, the collision would have most likely not happened, but anything is possible in aviation. In bringing this up I was attempting to draw a parrallel with the differences in our individual computer systems and how some players can see better than others. I don't agree, as has been suggested, that icons make the game more historic, or maybe someone said realistic.
You have been around 10 years or so. That is a whole boat load of experience and talent to draw from. But, your $14.95 a month is the same value as mine and everyone else's, as are our opinions. So, I suggest we agree to listen to and consider each other's opinions and ideas with an open mind. Ya never know, there just might be an idea that you long time game vets haven't thought of or considered. :salute
Note: Gents, sorry for in advance for mispellings. I'm a spell checker cripple. :rolleyes: Anyone know where the spell checker went?
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For the AvA staff....
Have the icons been turned on long enough to determine if participation has increased as a result?
Easy now, just a simple question. :D No hidden agenda, etc. intended.
Thanks again gents, for your continued fine work. :aok
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AVA stands for Axis and Allied Arena. It doesn't stand for No Icon Arena and never has. It's purpose has always been to try and promote and support Axis and Allied aircraft
Never been any confusion about that with me.... :salute
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For the AvA staff....
Have the icons been turned on long enough to determine if participation has increased as a result?
for the time being, they'll be at 3k for both. the contention has been high with the whole icons thing. we wanted your(the community, not certain individuals) input to see how people felt about it, hence the icons thread. some opinions we already knew about. some we didn't. it was a good tool to gauge what people thought. we're never going to please everyone, so we're trying to find a happy medium that works for most everyone.
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My contention isn't whether or not the AVA should be no icon or not.
It is a simple matter of supporting a game that has a no icon option or not supporting one that doesn't.
When H2H finally comes back I'll start donating my $15 per month again because there will be a no icon option.
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for the time being, they'll be at 3k for both. the contention has been high with the whole icons thing. we wanted your(the community, not certain individuals) input to see how people felt about it, hence the icons thread. some opinions we already knew about. some we didn't. it was a good tool to gauge what people thought. we're never going to please everyone, so we're trying to find a happy medium that works for most everyone.
So, has there been an increase in participation since icons were turned on? :salute
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So, has there been an increase in participation since icons were turned on? :salute
Compared to when?
This week has seemed to have a little better numbers than what has been so far this summer, but whose to say why? Some people were playing for the objective settings as well.
Having only one 24 hr AvA type arena, we have to try to appeal to a majority. Having 2 might help, one with icons, one without, but it would be hard to convince anyone we need a 2nd when we can't fill even one.
The coming H2H may change everything.
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No hidden agenda, etc. intended.
No, not hidden at all. It's quite an obvious and open agenda. Even if taken out of context the reply will be "See, it's not helping, we need to turn them off again right this second!"
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poor Krusty
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No, not hidden at all. It's quite an obvious and open agenda. Even if taken out of context the reply will be "See, it's not helping, we need to turn them off again right this second!"
Krusty, you need to get over yourself. You've been around so long, you've lost the ability to consider any opinion other than your own. You are stuck in a close minded rut.
Oh, by the way, my icons stay turned off. My $14.95 a month, my decision. If your in game abilities are such that you need icons, by all means, keep them turned on, your $14.95 a month, your decision.
Your quote is counter productive and just another indicator of your condescending attitude.
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Well, TC, glad we are back in conversation mode. :D
Glad you see it as a conversation/discussion :aok .... btw I took you off my ignore list about 1 week after our debate/arguement back then..... it was just to keep me from keeping on responding and possibly becoming an arse toward you....
To be more specific, "Part of the draw is the no icon concept, i.e. more realistic appearance" was intended to state my opinion and observation of a few others who seem to like the no icon concept, not to mislead or dictate to anyone.
fair enough, I accept your opinion/view......
Yes, TC, you are wrong. I did not start playing AH until 2007. Started in the MAs and endured the hording, vulching, etc. until a year or so ago when I was introduced to the AvA and haven't been into the MAs more than a handful of times that I can remember. But, I'm sure you'll be able to find that in my stats. As far as when I started to participate in the AvA forum discussion, it had nothing to do with the timing of the subject matter, it was a matter of subject interest that I thought I might contribute to.
As far as my stats, I really don't care about mine, yours, or anyone else's. They don't mean anything to me. If you need them to satisfy yourself for some reason, then by all means, be my guest. I'm paying and playing for the fun, the historic aircraft, and occasional hint of realism. It's hard to understand the need to look up stats to understand where I'm coming from. .
Actually I do not think I am wrong, I was only showing you via the touring stats/scores as being ingame since 2007 just like on the AH bbs......however, I was unsure if you might have flown sooner though under a different gameid or AH bbs username, so I gave you the benefit of doubt that you could have possibly been here longer.....
The only reason I looked at your stats was to see how long you had been playing the game and what arena you frequented........ I did not check your stats to see what type plane you fly, what K/D or K/H or hit percentage was or anything like that, your "stats/scores do not mean anything to me..... I used your stats to find the timeline, just to see when you started flying in the arenas, just to see which arenas, and to see if you had flown in the AvsA for any amount of time before the "no enemy icons" came in to the settings......
by seeing when you started flying the AvsA in conjunction to the posts/replys you made regarding the matter, helped me understand why you was so pationiate about "no enemy icons".......... you mainly have the experience of "no enemy icons - AvsA" to go by where as the majority AvsA players have observed both ways to weigh the differences against each other......
I still think the Arena has its ups and downs, no matter how the arena is set up........ that the draw to this arena is the way the planes are matched up as well as the fact that most in this arena will cooperate with balanced gameplay and not go the route of hording, vulching, etc....... like you see more of in the MA's
I agree that the Sky Raider/ Pony mid air had to do with Situational Awareness but, that situational awareness was lost when maintaining the visual with lead was lost. A major violation of the basic contract of formation flying (in the real world). Had visual with lead been maintained, the collision would have most likely not happened, but anything is possible in aviation. In bringing this up I was attempting to draw a parrallel with the differences in our individual computer systems and how some players can see better than others. I don't agree, as has been suggested, that icons make the game more historic, or maybe someone said realistic.
I accept your view/opinion,
but I still think after reviewing the video several times, that it was a lack of SA / communication breakdown and bad judgement of distance, I do not think he lost sight, he just misjudged the distance/clearance.......
You have been around 10 years or so. That is a whole boat load of experience and talent to draw from. But, your $14.95 a month is the same value as mine and everyone else's, as are our opinions. So, I suggest we agree to listen to and consider each other's opinions and ideas with an open mind. Ya never know, there just might be an idea that you long time game vets haven't thought of or considered. :salute
I agree all our opinions carry basically the same weight, to a degree........ I have to be open minded, regardless of how I feel or think........
talent wise, I can assure you that you start to lose it the older you get, reflexes anyways.......
as for how long I have played, it'll be 11 years for AH alone come October this year, was in AW from 94/95 until it shutdown in 2001, and was in WB 2/3 off and on, FA/FA 1.0 then tried FA2.0, targetware off and on, Janes (<---alll different types WWII, korean, vietname, modern jets ), wwiionline and even tempted CF on occassion, IL2/IL2 forgotten battles/IL2 pacific off and on, the History Channels DogFighter game online, and some old WWI, Red Baron I think it was on modem to modem in early 90's.... Tornado modem to modem early 90s, Falcon3/4........... ( I always sucked at those Jet sims )..... LOL I probably have wasted 20 years or so on flight sims and alot of the times I was in 2 or more at the same time :D
<S>
TC
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No, not hidden at all. It's quite an obvious and open agenda. Even if taken out of context the reply will be "See, it's not helping, we need to turn them off again right this second!"
This isn't about what's better or even the AVA at this point.
The AVA has made the decision.. I don't like it but I'm part of the staff and the guys are trying to do their best. They are my friends I support them here in the AVA the same way friends can be friends but have different political views.
That said I feel no icons is a good fit for an Axis V Allied arena but its not the case at this point..lets give them a chance to get the numbers they want...how they want.
Most on the staff like Icons on at this point, and that is ok... one way is not better than the other only different.
Both styles are fine but they offer totally different game play... to me diversity is a good thing..
For me personally, out side of the AVA, in regard to icons, I have my own independent point of view
... its about Choice..
I will hope with H2H folks can have that choice. I hope the servers show up for all to see.. Icon, no icon, external views, whaterver the oporator wants.. its all good and within their right to choose how they want to spend their time..
IMO...You Krusty are a hypocrite. You cant see the fact that people have a right to request what they like in a sim that offers everything but.
When they do you get all offended jump in gunz blazing saying they are elites and cramming things down your throat when in fact your forcing them to stand up for themselves.
your not embracing a different point of veiw. Your criticizing it. That is considered discrimination...
I don't think that wanting a choice is some horrible agenda Krusty, but I do think censoring free choice as you do is, especially when one pays to play..
I am simply stating facts. I'm sorry you cant see that..
In regard to flying I do still fly 3 other sims other than AH on a regular basis and I can walk and chew at the same time...Because of that I have more than one point of reference to pull from.
I do not limit my knowledge to only one online sim like you do. Take your head out of the sand. You have an extremely limited perspective in other words.. your limited in your thinking because you have limited yourself to one online sim.
This whole sim is icons on.. Why don't you open your eyes and see how one sided that is and share the sim... Don't be so oppressive and such a closed minded dictator.
Your point of view is exclusive not inclusive Its selfish and narrow minded.... its not asking to much to have at least one server that has no icons you nerd..
You wrote the book on cramming opinions down peoples throat.
Guys that like No icons have to slink around in shame an get berated and put on the defense by guys like you. we are then forced to defend our position.
Guys like you who with no other point of reference but icon sim experience, guys like you who have only your opinion :rolleyes: as your basis in fact. on the other hand guys like me have a years of experience with both sides of the coin icon and no icon, in several sims.. not just this one.
My preferance is No icons.. much like some guys like blonds and some like red heads.. to me over all, any port in the storm will due, but id rather the blond.. .
It would be one thing if you actually knew what the hell you were talking about.
This isn't about what's better its about having freedom of choice..
AH has a DA extrnal veiw icon arena, a MA mixed plane set icon arena, a mid war mixed Plane set icon arena, The AVA limeted plane set icon arena, Early war, icon, FSO icon and so on...
The one thing every arena in Ah have in common is.... Icons on..... So who is craming what down who's throat here?
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Simple answer, yes, it is being seriously considered. We are working out the ranges to use for both friendly & enemy and moving to a standardized format, so it won't be varying from week to week. There is a thread below in this forum where you can give your opinion on what you would like for the ranges to be. More details will be coming in the future as they develop. :salute
although i've not flown......if they're turned on, it makes this "just another" arena........it takes away incentive to come back.
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although i've not flown......if they're turned on, it makes this "just another" arena........it takes away incentive to come back.
no different than it has been all along... you still see friendly icons at 3k... :noid
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no different than it has been all along... you still see friendly icons at 3k... :noid
you might. i only tend to notice aircraft that are about to shoot my cartoon butt down.....one that i'm in a fight with. and although it would be fairly unpopular, i think it'd be cool to try turning off all icons for everyone for a week....... :devil
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The main reason I would venture into the AvA at all in the last year or so was to enjoy the no icons experience. Just chipping in my .02, carry on. :)
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The main reason I would venture into the AvA at all in the last year or so was to enjoy the no icons experience. Just chipping in my .02, carry on. :)
that's what i mean. the very first time i flew in the ava, i expected more ma bs. i got pleasantly surprised. VERY pleasantly surprised. since the first time i flew there, i think i've been in the mains less than a dozen times......i even stayed in there, when invited to come to lw to join my squaddies.....it was just a great amount of heart pounding fun.
this isn't being said, because i feel i had any sort of advantage either......when i'd check my stats, my hit % in the ava was always below 4%. in the main arenas, it was always up between 6% and 10%, depending on what i was shooting at. i pretty much suck in the ava.......but that's not the point. there was always that challenge....and it was not the same as if i turn off my enemy icons......we were both on equal footing. i had to judge you, just as you had to judge me. nothing to tell either of us when to fire, or when we're in range of our guns.
i've not been on in a couple months, as i've not been able to sit at the computer long enough, and due to an ankle injury, i can't keep my feet on the rudder pedals without causing severe pain.
the main thing that kept me trying to get back in, was knowing i could come back to that fun arena.
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although i've not flown......if they're turned on, it makes this "just another" arena........it takes away incentive to come back.
I've been on both sides of the fence regarding icons. Since to me the game is about combat with other people, I am currently on the "short icons for all" side of the fence. It makes it easier to find opponents. I don't focus on the icon, but rather use it as a tool to help find the bad guy. Once I'm close enough to see the plane, I focus on it and not the icon.
The AvA isn't "just another arena" with icons on. It's the only 24x7 arena where you are can be assured (barring CM error) to not have Allied versus Allied or Axis versus Axis planes fighting. There's also all the cool custom maps, and generally more sportsmanlike behavior.