Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Lusche on May 21, 2014, 05:17:11 PM
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... from the current rotation please.
It's heartbreaking to me, as, by layout, large maps can offer the most varied gameplay variety... in theory. Some old AH players may remember that I was one of those campaigning a lot for their return after the arena split of 2006
But at the current LW population level they are simply too large for almost the whole day. Even at euro prime time we are now at something like 90-140 players (and much less during the actual offpeak hours). With number like that, you are lucky to find one battle on the map, and following Murphy's Law it's always between the other two countries. ;) With too few players on a map too large, all activity has a tendency to scatter all over the map (due to human nature - you can't simply change that).
For me, flying at or near US prime time was once a luxury, now it almost had become mandatory. I'm even contributing to the problem now by not really logging on during the daytime on these maps. It's a pity, but that's the way it is. It must be even worse for the Aussie/Japan timezone players.
So I ask for a suspension of the large maps for the time being.
"But at prime time maps are way too crowded!"
We are lucky to break 300 players at US prime during the week now. We once played with twice that number on a similar rotation of large and small maps. The only map that I can instantly think of really running some sort of "crowding" is beta2 on a weekend evening perhaps... but compare that to a huge part of the month chasing single cons over two sectors on large maps...
Small maps means a very reasonable chance to find action, battles and combart on a more "massive multiplayer" scale at any time of the day.
Thanks for your attention.
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Fly buffs :aok
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Well wished.
+1
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Can't disagree with a word of it. +1.
Wiley.
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-1 some are really great to fly/drive/sail in, even during low-pop. :old:
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-1 some are really great to fly/drive/sail in, even during low-pop. :old:
Well, if offline flying is your thing... ;)
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+1
EatG
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Huge +1
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Some large maps not all. As much as I do agree with anything that helps to add to the action, simply removing maps of a certain size will fall short and run off a few of their supporters (possibly).
Some maps, regardless to size, seem to choke off the action for anything other than prime time numbers. I suggest the solution is a bit more in depth. I admit that my fun during online play is dependent upon how others play (this is something that I have been chastised for).
Too often, calls (or whines) for countrymen to gather for some type of organized (or horde) plan of attack are ignored. Yet these same countrymen (myself included) will jump into action at the first sight of a large "dar bar".
I think the solution is that the reward for flying "smart" should be much more than score or rank. Currently the freedom of space and movement has pushed fellow countrymen farther apart. Even a simple goal that benefits all countrymen, such as supplying a downed HQ to get radar functioning only appeals to certain types of players.
I am definitely not a shining example :rolleyes: of a team player, but I have noticed that "herding cats" is easier than trying to get current players to protect any important strategic property.
To sum it all up, the awesome mission planner in game is at its all time lowest use (been a player for the most part since the first version). Successfully run missions are themselves rewarding (to myself), but maybe if they were ENY immune or gave some temporary rank in game or other perk, it would work to help players gather and find action on a grander scale than at present.
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First, I don't panic. Ever.
Second, I like room to breathe.
Third, being stuck with Mindanao on an even more frequent basis would be horrid.
Fourth, I like pie.
So in short, I say leave it as and let the new terrain chance over. I think the "new" Trinity with the new terrain is going to be great. Everyone knows the revamped Trinity will be upon us soon, yes? :aok
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I am sure some people have been musing about the underlying problem, (too few players spread too far,) I am wondering if there are any ideas for map modification that could make them more better for different population numbers. I mean using existing arena tools in a dynamic way or maybe something with the new terrain that would change with population. Ideas? Certain perked aircraft free at low numbers times? Air spawns activated to concentrate players? Modification to fuel burn or other settings?
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-1 on suspending large maps.
Instead, switch to 2 sides instead of 3.
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+1 on getting rid of them.
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+1
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I am sure some people have been musing about the underlying problem, (too few players spread too far,) I am wondering if there are any ideas for map modification that could make them more better for different population numbers. I mean using existing arena tools in a dynamic way or maybe something with the new terrain that would change with population. Ideas? Certain perked aircraft free at low numbers times? Air spawns activated to concentrate players? Modification to fuel burn or other settings?
Bingo! Air spawns ..... brilliant!!! Place them in an area with uncapturable bases and make it a 3 way convergence. Basically, a furball lake in every map. The answer to a pilot's dream .... "fighter town (or cloud if you wish)". :angel:
One warning though, base capture will need to evolve, otherwise there wouldn't be anyone left to take the bases anymore. :pray
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-1
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First, I don't panic. Ever.
(...)
So in short, I say leave it as and let the new terrain chance over.
I am giving the new terrain stuff a chance. If I wasn't to, I would be gone already.
But I'm playing (and paying now), not at some vague point in a miraculously bright future. And it's about providing a combat environment that just doesn't come alive for maybe 4 hours of the day. So it's actually quite the opposite of a panic.
Right now (noon) it's 29 players in late war. In the afternoon we will have about 60-80 players in Late War, at the start of the evening (the time the old arena caps kicked in) we are currently at about 90 players. At the end of the evening, towards midnight, 140-160.
On a map like Ozkansas with it's excessive fronts that simply results in a puny player density.
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+1
At least just until we get more players in this game. Logged in this morning and there were only 13 people online. Luckily we're currently on Crater so I was able to find a little action. Had it been one of the maps with 250+ bases then the whole arena would just have been a ghost town.
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+ 1
For us Aussies when its middle of the AM for the US guys. If we are on a large map it often ends up becoming a game of chase the dar bar. By the time you get up and go find them, they have landed. I remember not to many months ago flying around for nearly two hours looking for a fight.
Mind you this is how I started to get in GV'ing, when there is a large map and few players.
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I'm not sure if it is just me, but I not seem to have issues finding a fight. When I log on I check with squad mates to see what they ar15 ed working on, then I check and see what is in dire need of defense, then I find something I want to do. If I want to knife fight I just look for a larger Dar bar and head there.
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If I want to knife fight I just look for a larger Dar bar and head there.
Good luck finding a larger red darbar at less than 100 players on Ozkansas. IF there actually is any, chances are high it's a Cv raid between the other two teams.
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After years of experience, I have realised that AcesHigh panders mainly to the largest group of players;
the "I want to take bases with the least resistance and combat possible" people, regardless of gameplay ramifications.
Large maps and small population serves to give these players the least resistance possible.
Therefore, to keep these people happy and my BBS account alive, I forego an opinion and add my -1 to toe the line like a good little sheep.
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Good luck finding a larger red darbar at less than 100 players on Ozkansas. IF there actually is any, chances are high it's a Cv raid between the other two teams.
OZkansas is one of the few maps that are always fun to play on. CV raids are and always have been the best action.
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I think the "new" Trinity with the new terrain is going to be great. Everyone knows the revamped Trinity will be upon us soon, yes? :aok
Did I miss something?
I agree Snail :aok I spent a good 3 hours yesterday (mid-day pacific) trying to find a ftr battle, had to go to TT to get it. :bhead
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+1
All 255 fields maps are just too big. Only during weekend peak hours the number of players exceed the number of fields. During the rest of the week these maps are just terrible.
When we get 400+ players online again, they can be brought back.
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+1
If its slow i just log off
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+1 Till as soon as we get back up there…
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-1 on suspending large maps.
Instead, switch to 2 sides instead of 3.
+1 I think this would be a great change.
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-1 on suspending large maps.
Instead, switch to 2 sides instead of 3.
Get rid of the bish, that way other teams don't need to "deal with knights" on their team, and can spread the idea of base taking to the knights :D
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Instead, switch to 2 sides instead of 3.
Even if this would be feasible (which I absolutely think it's not), it would require nothing less than a major redesign of the game and creating new maps from scratch.
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For the love of all things good.
PLUS ONE.
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+1. The big maps are a big mistake.
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+1, unless CraterMA is a large map.
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+1, unless CraterMA is a large map.
CraterMa is a small map.
The three large maps in rotation are
- Ozkansas
- Tagma
- Compello (Which is actually my personal favourite map of all MA terrains)
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+1. The case for it is irrefutable, unless one thinks player-on-player combat in AHII is a bad thing.
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Can't disagree with a word of it. +1.
Wiley.
:aok
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-1 on suspending large maps.
Instead, switch to 2 sides instead of 3.
Or shrink the available area of operation in a large map when numbers are low.
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After years of experience, I have realised that AcesHigh panders mainly to the largest group of players;
the "I want to take bases with the least resistance and combat possible" people, regardless of gameplay ramifications.
Large maps and small population serves to give these players the least resistance possible.
Therefore, to keep these people happy and my BBS account alive, I forego an opinion and add my -1 to toe the line like a good little sheep.
:rofl
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+1
If its slow i just log off
Same here. And it is causing a domino effect. I've only been on a few months and can see the trend. Reminds me of where I used to play.
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I hate to say it, but this would probably be something that need be done for now. When the new terrain engine hits, bring them back at least for a few months before suspending them again (if needed).
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I am completely against this as many of the small maps lend themselves to fights at 25+ and the deck and nothing in the middle. Great for all the crazy turn planes, but I wind up logging when they are on more often then not.
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I am completely against this as many of the small maps lend themselves to fights at 25+ and the deck and nothing in the middle. Great for all the crazy turn planes, but I wind up logging when they are on more often then not.
If if that were true (could you perhaps name them?), I would still prefer such a fight over no fight... ;)
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there is less room to run.
Fixed. :)
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I am completely against this as many of the small maps lend themselves to fights at 25+ and the deck and nothing in the middle. Great for all the crazy turn planes, but I wind up logging when they are on more often then not.
+1
I don't play on Beta (that little square green map). The last time I logged into it during U.S. prime time there were a bunch of low level furballs going on and nothing else. It reminded me of WarThunder which I tried for a few days and never played again.
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One of the things that has always made Aces High one of the best multiplayer games for fighters, bombers, and tanks is the larger maps, which are also the latest to come along. No other game has ever brought these three elements together successfully. THE number one best map for this is OZkansas, and the one area that succeeds the best is tank town at the center of the map. So successful is this area that I wish there was a seven day map with just that one area, but with so many desires from different payers I know that will never happen. However, reducing the map base to just the smaller maps will be a huge mistake right now when the user base is the smallest we have ever seen. Adding more of the same type of action (as OZkansas tank town has) would be great for Aces High.
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We will not see new maps before new terrain come afaik.
Reducing available fields on big maps to reduce front line should be an option, but to log in in afternoon with less than 100 players and 255 fields, buffs do their milk runs and occasional small fights 1vs3-2vs4 attack vs defence is the norm. it's simply not enough action.
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Could low player turn out or lack of large numbers of player like we had 6 years ago have to do with a bad economy and not so much the game? I have tried other on line game like WoT but none seem to have the game play of AH regardless of any fancy graphics they may have. I have wondered why no matter what time I log on there are never anywhere near the numbers I saw when I started playing in 06.:headscratch:
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If large maps go so will I. Dislike most small maps....no room to move. OR!.....small maps with no dar bars.
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If this is the case stop the EW amd MW maps also.. they have low numbers as well .. same thought and same process.
LawnDart
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I like the larger maps. You get more space to climb out if you intend to take a few hours to go bomb strats or HQs. I also like always having to look around for action. See the DARBAR grow go get them.
I personally like things spread out a little bit. Of course, when there are peak times, if that even exists anymore...
I haven't been on nearly enough lately but am starting to make more of a presence where possible.
The EW and MW arenas do have the smaller maps. Though I don't go in there much anymore, it would be cool to have more presence in those arenas if you like small maps. Often, get enough players in there and you can have a good time.
-1 from me but only because EW and MW already offers the smaller maps. Just needs more people to go in there from time to time. I simply like things the way they already are.
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Tiered bases would be fine for that.
Have some far to the rear for Buffs to climb out of and leave the rest near the frontline for the fights.
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I like the larger maps.
You know what? Me too. ;) As stated before, one of them is even my most favourite terrain of them all.
-1 from me but only because EW and MW already offers the smaller maps. Just needs more people to go in there from time to time. I simply like things the way they already are.
But it's not about liking or disliking small or large maps per se :)
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There are ways to do this to make people happy. Rear bases buff-only to allow climbouts or even air spawns.
A long front line between countries with some water between it like a small, elongated gulf or English Channel...
All this talk about realism yet we have a map that is a pizza...... We can do better as a community than what we have no, just gotta find a way to do it.
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you'all need to quit whinig about the the map sizes----some people like the big maps--some people like small maps--big deal...I play what is there when I turn my puter on.we could use more maps in the rotation--but I think theres only enough room on the server's for what we have...
:mad: yeah suspend large maps--then 2 things will happen--people will start whining the maps are to small---and you'll be playing the same maps every 2 or 3 days
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you'all need to quit whinig about the the map sizes----some people like the big maps--some people like small maps--big deal...I play what is there when I turn my puter on.we could use more maps in the rotation--but I think theres only enough room on the server's for what we have...
:mad: yeah suspend large maps--then 2 things will happen--people will start whining the maps are to small---and you'll be playing the same maps every 2 or 3 days
There is enough room on the servers for hundreds of maps. Servers are just banks of hard drives. The problem is that it takes hundreds of hours to build and test new maps, then HTC has to go through them to be sure there isn't any issues hiding in them before they load them up on the server.
The size of the map is an easy way to point out an issue with game play. They are no longer balanced enough with the lower numbers to provide each player with his type of action/game play. A perfect example is Greebos "Crater" map. It has an awesome GV battle area which is very well populated. While this is a good thing for those who love to GV, or people like me who have a chance to live a bit longer to TRY and gv :devil Most of the players are now in Tank Town, leaving very few players to have air battles. So now the people who like to "battle" for bases can't because they don't have many players to battle with or against.
I played from about 3-11 eastern yesterday. I fought the bish horde a few flights... ending with 3-6 guys all over me, spent a bit jumping from base to base trying to catch porkers/milkers. I did spend some time in TT where they was some action. But for me it means taking shots at tanks that are blown up before my round gets there. A battle finally started up in the north and I had a few good fights with some Knights. Got to fly my hog low and slow behind Cobia in his A20 long enough to get the kill on him :D Which doesn't happen that often. 8 hours to get a half dozen fun fights.
Had we been on "ndisles" I think I would have had a lot more as that map ends up having a lot more "fronts" around those islands. Of course then all thosGVers might not have had as much fun as that TT isn't as popular as Greebo's. Bombing missions on that map are also tougher as once you get in the air your close enough to a strat to make it look like thats where your heading even if your not.
So you see maps DO make a difference. That difference is even more pronounced now with the lower numbers.