Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Citabria on August 20, 2011, 12:57:34 PM

Title: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: Citabria on August 20, 2011, 12:57:34 PM
New tank control system and historically accurate tank optics. :rock
 I love this change and its a wonderful immersion improvement to the ground war. It also give the player more of a feeling of being a tank commander instead of an abstract entity inhabbiting the responsibilities of multiple crew members.

No external view on il2  :joystick:
instantly removed all the gamers from the most enjoyable ground attack aircraft making it more fun for realism freaks that like stuff that increases realism and the sense (much like the tank commander) that you are in fact not an abstract entity inhabbiting the responsibilities of multiple crew members.



 
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: wil3ur on August 20, 2011, 01:11:39 PM
New Towns:

I think they're a lot cooler looking, and more fun to blow up, and GV in.  I think the flag option also works well.  It made the 110s and smash and grab raids practically disappear overnight.  It's added a bit of hording to the game, but with a couple good sticks they are no harder to take than the old towns, and look way better.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: crazierthanu on August 20, 2011, 02:45:34 PM
Contrary to what is seemingly popular belief, the game is improving.  ;)
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: streek on August 20, 2011, 04:23:09 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: rvflyer on August 21, 2011, 12:26:57 AM
 :airplane:---<=While this is a what I like thread thought I would throw this out, I don't like the way the cursor set up is now, lose control of it till map is brought up.
Maybe it is just me.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: MaSonZ on August 21, 2011, 12:33:51 AM
if we could get a graphic update next for the terrain to bring it up to par with the modern games a little....



i understand not everyone has the money for a custom rig if they dont have one now, and this is an issue with an off the shelf Dell... :cry
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: skorpion on August 21, 2011, 12:38:22 AM
if we could get a graphic update next for the terrain to bring it up to par with the modern games a little....



i understand not everyone has the money for a custom rig if they dont have one now, and this is an issue with an off the shelf Dell... :cry
i think that could wait just a bit longer. my framerates are crap as is. and i dont need to loose them completely, especially since i dont have the cash to go willy-nilly and buy a new computer that could handle said graphics.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: MaSonZ on August 21, 2011, 12:48:00 AM
i think that could wait just a bit longer. my framerates are crap as is. and i dont need to loose them completely, especially since i dont have the cash to go willy-nilly and buy a new computer that could handle said graphics.
hence my last sentence. its a shame that every little update does more harm to an off the shelf computer without "meaning" to.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: skorpion on August 21, 2011, 12:56:22 AM
hence my last sentence. its a shame that every little update does more harm to an off the shelf computer without "meaning" to.
QFT.

guess this game was intended for a more "financially stable" group that could blow money on a new computer every time a graphic update came out.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: MaSonZ on August 21, 2011, 01:03:58 AM
QFT.

guess this game was intended for a more "financially stable" group that could blow money on a new computer every time a graphic update came out.
negative, it is clearly aimed at those who want to enjoy themself after work or school or what have you on a computer they picked off the shelf. if it was intended for those who have 1k into a computer then the graphics would be MUCH more advanced and demanding. i am far from financially stable, senior in high school, no job cause football and EMT Class are occuping every day of my life but Sundays, gas to pay for for my car with no money. if it wasnt for spending all my money on my machine before i hit my financial depression i would still be playin on an HP laptop.

would i like a visual update? yes. is it feasible because of the aim of the game? no.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: skorpion on August 21, 2011, 01:12:16 AM
negative, it is clearly aimed at those who want to enjoy themself after work or school or what have you on a computer they picked off the shelf. if it was intended for those who have 1k into a computer then the graphics would be MUCH more advanced and demanding. i am far from financially stable, senior in high school, no job cause football and EMT Class are occuping every day of my life but Sundays, gas to pay for for my car with no money. if it wasnt for spending all my money on my machine before i hit my financial depression i would still be playin on an HP laptop.

would i like a visual update? yes. is it feasible because of the aim of the game? no.
well, the way i said it, didnt quite come out right. what i meant was when this game was created (and the economy wasnt in the toilet) alot more people back then could afford to update their computer every 2 years or so. nowadays, thats just a dream. *it makes sense in my head, i just cant explain it :lol*
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: BaldEagl on August 21, 2011, 02:03:00 AM
It's funny that I was going to make a joke about how I like computers better these days as they have changed from the days of the immortal Commodore 64 and then all you guys are talking about computers.

You must have some really POS systems is all I can say. I can still run my old (1997) Dell 1.2 Ghz PIII (upgraded from 650 Mhz), 768 mb RAM (upgraded from 512 Mhz) with a 32 Mb Ge-Force MX-440 (upgraded from 16 Mhz Voodoo) at 35 fps with all graphics setting on low.  I'm just surprised the old 250W Foxcon PSU hasn't died yet.

Yes, I do have a newer computer that I play on that I built three and a half years ago but if I had to I'd still be playing on the old Dell and if you can't afford a machine with those specs, about $100 on ebay, then you shouldn't be paying for Internet access.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: Citabria on August 21, 2011, 02:34:19 AM
I like sneaking around in a panther and knocking tanks and not getting bombed
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: BaldEagl on August 21, 2011, 02:49:20 AM
Sorry to have jumped in on the thread derailment.  To help get it back on course:

More planes, more vehicles

You no longer die when running into the tinyest of white explodo rocks.

The mountain vistas, particularily on some maps from a vehicle.  Water, smoke, fire and terrain in general.

To be sure there's things I don't like as much as before but overall it's been a slow progression forward.  I'd say like two steps forward, 1.5-1.75 steps back.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: MaSonZ on August 21, 2011, 10:37:07 PM
well, the way i said it, didnt quite come out right. what i meant was when this game was created (and the economy wasnt in the toilet) alot more people back then could afford to update their computer every 2 years or so. nowadays, thats just a dream. *it makes sense in my head, i just cant explain it :lol*
i got you now haha. mis read what you said, i understand what your saying.  :salute
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: Spikes on August 21, 2011, 10:52:36 PM
You can build a computer for 600 bucks that runs this game. It is unreal how many people say the game shouldn't update it's graphics. If you can't run this game you should update from your Pentium 2 with 128mb of RAM to something modern day. If you can't afford that then you might be better off putting the 15 a month toward an xbox.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: BigR on August 21, 2011, 11:31:55 PM
I know for some people, any amount of money might be hard to come up with right now for upgrades, but others may not know how cheaply a decent computer can be put together these days. A computer that will play AH with good detail and frame rates can be built in the mid 300's. Heres a quick example I put together from Newegg.com. This computer is more than enough to play AH and almost any other game out with respectable detail levels and frame rates. (http://members.cox.net/fluffstr/computer.jpg)
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: skorpion on August 21, 2011, 11:41:11 PM
I know for some people, any amount of money might be hard to come up with right now for upgrades, but others may not know how cheaply a decent computer can be put together these days. A computer that will play AH with good detail and frame rates can be built in the mid 300's. Heres a quick example I put together from Newegg.com. This computer is more than enough to play AH and almost any other game out with respectable detail levels and frame rates. (http://members.cox.net/fluffstr/computer.jpg)
some of us, hardly have 150 dollars (like me) to even try this. some people here can hardly scrape up enough money to pay gas, food, bills ect...and after the damage is done, you hardly have 200 bux to spend. 370-400 dollars might not seem like alot to some people, but to others, that much would be like winning the lottery.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: BigR on August 21, 2011, 11:48:40 PM
some of us, hardly have 150 dollars (like me) to even try this. some people here can hardly scrape up enough money to pay gas, food, bills ect...and after the damage is done, you hardly have 200 bux to spend. 370-400 dollars might not seem like alot to some people, but to others, that much would be like winning the lottery.

Yeah...hence my very first sentence.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: skorpion on August 21, 2011, 11:51:55 PM
Yeah...hence my very first sentence.
well the way you said it, kind of looks like it isnt that much of a deal if you save up for 3 months and by then you could have gotten a new game console or a small flatscreen for your bedroom.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: Nathan60 on August 22, 2011, 09:40:40 AM
QFT.

guess this game was intended for a more "financially stable" group that could blow money on a new computer every time a graphic update came out.


My computer is  6 years old  I bought it for 500+ bucks  ive  spent  40 bucks for  a vid card and 50 for  some mem  I not only run this  game with hi rez pack at 60 frames per  second but play  almost  all new  games  with no problem still.  If your spending money every time  a  update  comes out something is  wrong... Also if you  dont have  150 bucks  to spend   priorities  might have  to be re arranged. I understand  that AH might be  your release and  your  way of blowing off  steam  but   if your paying 10% of your monthly income  for  a game when there  are many out there that are  free  you need to  look inwards  to figure  where you  need to save money  so your  not so  tight up. Games   are the 1st thing that goes  when money gets tight.

Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: Slate on August 22, 2011, 09:52:54 AM
New tank control system and historically accurate tank optics. :rock
 I love this change and its a wonderful immersion improvement to the ground war. It also give the player more of a feeling of being a tank commander instead of an abstract entity inhabbiting the responsibilities of multiple crew members.

  Change is sometimes good but I hate the New Movement controls of the vehicles. It seems to take forever to get it to move compared with the old system. Unless you steer perfectly straight you get no acceleration. This is not "realistic" to me. I hit stop and the vehicle will still move forward until I shut down engine. These issues have worsened to my mortality rate in vehicles.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: tf15pin on August 22, 2011, 09:58:10 AM
17 lb AT guns at the GV bases. I can't count the number of base captures have been stopped by an overlooked AT gun. They also do a good job at keeping the hanger campers off the base.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: 1Boner on August 22, 2011, 10:01:05 AM
:airplane:---<=While this is a what I like thread thought I would throw this out, I don't like the way the cursor set up is now, lose control of it till map is brought up.
Maybe it is just me.

Me too.

Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: VonMessa on August 22, 2011, 10:15:50 AM
  Change is sometimes good but I hate the New Movement controls of the vehicles. It seems to take forever to get it to move compared with the old system. Unless you steer perfectly straight you get no acceleration. This is not "realistic" to me. I hit stop and the vehicle will still move forward until I shut down engine. These issues have worsened to my mortality rate in vehicles.

Exactly what kind of acceleration were you looking for in a vehicle that weighs an average of 30 tons and has a power plant with an average of 25%  of what most aircraft of the period had?
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: BigR on August 22, 2011, 12:59:05 PM
well the way you said it, kind of looks like it isnt that much of a deal if you save up for 3 months and by then you could have gotten a new game console or a small flatscreen for your bedroom.


Well its kind of hard to play AH with an Xbox or a new TV if you dont have a computer. I mean..we were talking about computer gaming, specifically AH.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: Killer91 on August 22, 2011, 01:02:18 PM
Its not the fact of it accelerating slowly its the the fact that no matter how slightly you turn it immediately stops accelerating. You must be going PERFECTLY STRAIGHT to accelerate.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: VonMessa on August 22, 2011, 01:32:38 PM
Its not the fact of it accelerating slowly its the the fact that no matter how slightly you turn it immediately stops accelerating. You must be going PERFECTLY STRAIGHT to accelerate.

(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff107/tymekeepyr/bill-nye.jpg)

Newton says:

1.  Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.

2.  The relationship between an object's mass m, its acceleration a, and the applied force F is F = ma.

  Law #2 is the most powerful of Newton's three Laws, because it allows quantitative calculations of dynamics: how do velocities change when forces are applied.

  In this law the direction of the force vector is the same as the direction of the acceleration vector.  According to Newton, a force causes only a change in velocity (an acceleration); it does not maintain the velocity.


(you would get a different answer if you were conversing with Aristotle, however)
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: RTHolmes on August 22, 2011, 02:37:21 PM
every change for the better since I joined :aok


apart from removing the old strat system, which was excellent :(
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: Slate on August 23, 2011, 11:19:38 AM
Exactly what kind of acceleration were you looking for in a vehicle that weighs an average of 30 tons and has a power plant with an average of 25%  of what most aircraft of the period had?

  You don't seem to understand there are problems with the new system. You overlook what I said about hitting stop and having the vehicle stop then move forward on its own. Spawn and have the vehicle start moving forward with no input by me. Steer 3 degrees off center and not able to upshift.
   Instead of posting in the frivolous section I should and will go to Air/Vehicle forum. Good day.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: MaSonZ on August 23, 2011, 11:30:30 AM
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff107/tymekeepyr/bill-nye.jpg)

Newton says:

1.  Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.

2.  The relationship between an object's mass m, its acceleration a, and the applied force F is F = ma.

  Law #2 is the most powerful of Newton's three Laws, because it allows quantitative calculations of dynamics: how do velocities change when forces are applied.

  In this law the direction of the force vector is the same as the direction of the acceleration vector.  According to Newton, a force causes only a change in velocity (an acceleration); it does not maintain the velocity.


(you would get a different answer if you were conversing with Aristotle, however)
if im not mistaken....acceleration is a change in speed, direction or altitude, no? Velocity is a measure of speed, yay or nay?
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: AHTbolt on August 23, 2011, 01:24:19 PM
Since I was a tanker in real life even an M1A1 with a 1400 hp engine you have to add throttle and you start to down shift you will not up shift in a turn. On ebay I bought 5 1gig ram chips for older comps for a dollar and a vidcard for ten, and im poor i live from paycheck to paycheck with a little thought it can be done. I pick up cans on my rare days off and my wife is disabled it can be done on the cheap.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: JUGgler on August 23, 2011, 03:20:32 PM
I like sneaking around in a panther and knocking tanks and not getting bombed



No vehicle icons would improve this immensly!   :aok



JUGgler
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: GNucks on August 23, 2011, 03:47:00 PM


No [enemy] vehicle icons would improve this immensly!   :aok



JUGgler

^This is what you meant, right?


Speaking of the most recent update, I really like the adjustable font in the text buffer and the ability to create several tabs so you can filter out different channels with one click

I'll add one thing that I wish could've been included in the last update: I want to be able to adjust the gamma of the actual map in the clipboard like I can adjust the RGB of all the base icons. Just a few percent would suffice.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: dedalos on August 23, 2011, 04:12:39 PM
You must have some really POS systems is all I can say. I can still run my old (1997) Dell 1.2 Ghz PIII (upgraded from 650 Mhz), 768 mb RAM (upgraded from 512 Mhz) with a 32 Mb Ge-Force MX-440 (upgraded from 16 Mhz Voodoo) at 35 fps with all graphics setting on low.  I'm just surprised the old 250W Foxcon PSU hasn't died yet.

Nah, just higher expectations.  At 35 fps with everything turned off what happens when you arrive at a place full of smoke?  When a set of buffs happens to fly by with an engine smoking or firing its tracers?   Mine starts at 60fps and when it gets bz and in the 30s, it is unplayable by MY standards.

So it comes down to personal preferences.  Dog-fighting low and slow when fps drops in the 30s is horrible and hitting anything almost impossible.  Drop bellow 30 and fighting is not an option.  Can you drop a bomb from 30K at 20fps and have fun doing it?  Absolutely, if that is how you play, but some things are impossible at low fps.

I have been through many computers in the last 10 years here.  After I get a new one, everything runs perfectly.  Then the upgrades come and within a year I have to turn everything off.  Then fps drops until a new video card is required and eventually a new computer.  Depending on your stile of play, you may need a new box every 1 to 2 years depending on the upgrades (if you want to see the new stuff).
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: JUGgler on August 23, 2011, 05:34:11 PM
^This is what you meant, right?


.


Good point, although friendly fire incidents were quite common   :devil




JUGgler
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: GNucks on August 23, 2011, 05:37:20 PM

Good point, although friendly fire incidents were quite common   :devil




JUGgler

But friendlies spawning behind you and driving different tanks with enemy markings weren't  :D
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: JUGgler on August 23, 2011, 05:40:06 PM
But friendlies spawning behind you and driving different tanks with enemy markings weren't  :D


You're thinking entirely too much  :old:


 :salute :cheers:

JUGgler
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: crazyivan on August 23, 2011, 05:53:36 PM
 You don't seem to understand there are problems with the new system. You overlook what I said about hitting stop and having the vehicle stop then move forward on its own. Spawn and have the vehicle start moving forward with no input by me. Steer 3 degrees off center and not able to upshift.
   Instead of posting in the frivolous section I should and will go to Air/Vehicle forum. Good day.
I agree with you on the vehicle joystick input, auto tran, and steering Big -1 . I would say the commanders view and historical sights was an upgrade. This coming from an advid GV'er who might have to check out WOT.
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: BaldEagl on August 23, 2011, 11:01:14 PM
Nah, just higher expectations.  At 35 fps with everything turned off what happens when you arrive at a place full of smoke?  When a set of buffs happens to fly by with an engine smoking or firing its tracers?   Mine starts at 60fps and when it gets bz and in the 30s, it is unplayable by MY standards.

So it comes down to personal preferences.  Dog-fighting low and slow when fps drops in the 30s is horrible and hitting anything almost impossible.  Drop bellow 30 and fighting is not an option.  Can you drop a bomb from 30K at 20fps and have fun doing it?  Absolutely, if that is how you play, but some things are impossible at low fps.

I have been through many computers in the last 10 years here.  After I get a new one, everything runs perfectly.  Then the upgrades come and within a year I have to turn everything off.  Then fps drops until a new video card is required and eventually a new computer.  Depending on your stile of play, you may need a new box every 1 to 2 years depending on the upgrades (if you want to see the new stuff).

Well the machine I built 3 1/2 years ago runs the game pegged at 60 fps no matter where I am with everything maxed, 1024 textures but no shadows.  The game looks and plays smoothly.  If I turn smooth shadows on I start to get stutters and lowered frame rates.  Even a frame rate of 45 is unplayable due to the stuttering.

On the old Dell 35 fps is smooth as silk and remains that way down to about 15 fps.  Yes the frame rate is low but the gameplay is still smooth.  I can't really explain why but it is.  Smoke and fire don't affect it.  The only real game changer is multiple formations of bombers.

I'm not saying I'd be happy if I was still playing on that system.  I was just trying to make the point that it takes almost nothing to run AH.

Here's some screenies of my tests (frame rate counter is on):

(http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww72/imbe/Newpatch2.jpg)

(http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww72/imbe/Newpatch1.jpg)

(http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww72/imbe/olfurball.jpg)

Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: VonMessa on August 24, 2011, 08:41:55 AM
if im not mistaken....acceleration is a change in speed, direction or altitude, no? Velocity is a measure of speed, yay or nay?

Acceleration is defined as (in Physics) the rate of change of velocity over time.  (i.e. 0-60 MPH in 5 seconds)

Velocity is the measurement of the rate and direction of change in the position of an object and needs both magnitude and direction define it.

For example:  50 MPH is not a measure of velocity but 50 MPH West, would be.

 :aok
Title: Re: Stuff I like that is good that has been changed from what it used to be
Post by: dedalos on August 24, 2011, 09:39:26 AM
Well the machine I built 3 1/2 years ago runs the game pegged at 60 fps no matter where I am with everything maxed, 1024 textures but no shadows.  The game looks and plays smoothly.  If I turn smooth shadows on I start to get stutters and lowered frame rates.  Even a frame rate of 45 is unplayable due to the stuttering.

On the old Dell 35 fps is smooth as silk and remains that way down to about 15 fps.  Yes the frame rate is low but the gameplay is still smooth.  I can't really explain why but it is.  Smoke and fire don't affect it.  The only real game changer is multiple formations of bombers.

I'm not saying I'd be happy if I was still playing on that system.  I was just trying to make the point that it takes almost nothing to run AH.



Same point actually.  The fact that it runs smoothly for some does not mean it runs smoothly for all.  I agree it takes nothing to run it but for me, it takes a lot to play it.  I don;t log in to run it.  I log in to play it.  The stutters you mentioned have been a different issue for me.  They went away for a year or so when I turned off weapon effects but after an upgrade they came back to stay.  It is just hard to find the perfect set up that works all the time.  Some people are lucky some are not.