General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Randy1 on June 01, 2025, 02:13:24 PM
Title: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Randy1 on June 01, 2025, 02:13:24 PM
One important point in a three country war is a kind of a loss of loyalty to your country. It is what makes a country players work well together when things line up every once in a while. Not hard pan loyalty, just good gaming friends working together fun. It feels good.
NASCAR saw the same thing happen to them. Brand loyalty faded and so did the fan base.
Auto country changing seems innocent but has more negative impact than positive.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Oldman731 on June 01, 2025, 02:15:35 PM
I suspect that most of us who auto-change were never loyal to one of the countries in the first place.
- oldman
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: MDStampf93 on June 01, 2025, 02:18:07 PM
JG 11 switched to rooks Friday night for the first time in 20 years. We will be heading back to the knights primarily but was a good time fighting alongside rooks for once instead of against, thanks for having us <S>.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: ZE on June 01, 2025, 02:27:29 PM
I understand your points, Randy. However, I also agree with what others have been saying that a game that is too imbalanced is driving people out of the game since is not fun dying all the time or they can fight again with so many enemies getting killed all the time. In my particular case, my friendship in the game is the same with friends and foes, and I am trying to do my best for the country I'm fighting with ( sometimes killing squad members . I believe this could help the nation with a lower numbers but I'm not 100% sure if this is the only or best solution... :salute ZE
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: MDStampf93 on June 01, 2025, 02:48:21 PM
Prime time is usually pretty balanced but prime time only lasts an hour or two at max if it even happens at all.
I think it’s time the game moved down to 2 countries. Where squads and loyalists made up the general bulk and side switchers cover the difference to even teams out.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Shane on June 01, 2025, 02:50:34 PM
Removing auto switch and reducing side-switch timer from the current 6 hours to 1 or 2 hours might be a compromise if "spiez" are still a concern these days.
1 hour would allow for some consistency and still be short enough to hop to another side if desired. Musical auto-switching chairs creates instabilities, imho, especially when numbers are even or fluctuate rapidly.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Randy1 on June 01, 2025, 03:49:25 PM
All the replies are sound in thought. All would be difficult to argue against.
ZE's point is the strongest argument. He is one of the best players in the game. When two countries attack one country, the death rate is very high.
Auto side balancing has not stopped two countries against one country. Not sure how that got started but seems to almost constant now.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: haggerty on June 01, 2025, 03:50:17 PM
Autoswitch is bad in the minds of people with no morals or integrity. Those of us that are using it fight for the country we are on, not one that we played with before the option. Do you have any reasons as to why autoswitch is killing the game? When you see me on your side you also see me working hard for the success of your team, just like other autoswitchers I know. If I get switched to another team just pretend I logged off for the night and someone else on the other team logged in.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: haggerty on June 01, 2025, 03:52:43 PM
All the replies are sound in thought. All would be difficult to argue against.
ZE's point is the strongest argument. He is one of the best players in the game. When two countries attack one country, the death rate is very high.
Auto side balancing has not stopped two countries against one country. Not sure how that got started but seems to almost constant now.
Two countries vs One has been a core component to this game since inception, its human nature for teams to take the easiest path to victory, or their 20% of a side. Atleast with autoswitch the smallest team has a better chance at defending against the 2v1. Defending is incredibly easy, often able to hold off 5 attackers with a single defender. But if your team doesnt have enough to put up that single defender, thats when the game starts to collapse.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: caldera on June 01, 2025, 06:26:20 PM
Could someone explain the reason for having fanatical loyalism to a chess piece that you were randomly assigned to? :headscratch:
I can't explain it but I know that back in the day when I was flying with the squads that came over from AW. Souper and Rapier (before he went off the rails) had a lot of loyalty in the squads and country. It seemed to fade over time for me but I guess for some it didn't?
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Dadtallica on June 01, 2025, 06:32:25 PM
Prime time is usually pretty balanced but prime time only lasts an hour or two at max if it even happens at all.
I think it’s time the game moved down to 2 countries. Where squads and loyalists made up the general bulk and side switchers cover the difference to even teams out.
It barely crested 90 Peeps last night… on a Saturday. I feel the slow summer coming on.
Not to be cruel to our morning or afternoon crew, but I usually log if there’s 70-75 or less.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: hazmatt on June 01, 2025, 07:01:15 PM
It barely crested 90 Peeps last night… on a Saturday. I feel the slow summer coming on.
Not to be cruel to our morning or afternoon crew, but I usually log if there’s 70-75 or less.
My guess is that once it get below 50 everyone will do the same. Force yourself to say man! Your country needs you :)
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Lazerr on June 01, 2025, 07:35:53 PM
:rolleyes:
Play the game...
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: The Fugitive on June 01, 2025, 08:57:07 PM
Sunday night, Knits had over 50% of the Bish bases. Why? It shouldnt happen. How many players logged when they logged in and saw that. Just stupid.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: CAV on June 01, 2025, 09:12:07 PM
Quote
Could someone explain the reason for having fanatical loyalism to a chess piece that you were randomly assigned to?
For many of us that came from Airwarrior it was away of life. I was a B lander from the first time I logged on to GEnie to the last night of AW. It's just what we do.
Cavalry
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: RotBaron on June 01, 2025, 10:04:15 PM
Could someone explain the reason for having fanatical loyalism to a chess piece that you were randomly assigned to? :headscratch:
I was randomly assigned to Bishops long ago, I didn’t stay long and have only been back a handful of times, when I do it’s always at night…. Isn’t hard to figure out is it…?
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: mERv on June 02, 2025, 12:03:13 AM
One important point in a three country war is a kind of a loss of loyalty to your country. It is what makes a country players work well together when things line up every once in a while. Not hard pan loyalty, just good gaming friends working together fun. It feels good.
NASCAR saw the same thing happen to them. Brand loyalty faded and so did the fan base.
Auto country changing seems innocent but has more negative impact than positive.
nahh, this game got killed when Dale said ill ride this horse until its dead that day in his old office...
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: RotBaron on June 02, 2025, 12:51:53 AM
For many of us that came from Airwarrior it was away of life. I was a B lander from the first time I logged on to GEnie to the last night of AW. It's just what we do.
Cavalry
I’m not sure who “we” is in this statement, obviously there really is no we in AH or there wouldn’t be any that select auto-switch. However, there a majority, at certain times of day a very large majority that prefer to play very similar, at least on one country there is - from about 5am-noon EST.
I can go over to Rooks any time of day and have close to as much fun, so I’m not part of that we unless you ask Poot apparently, whom actually is usually part of that very large majority :headscratch: :headscratch:
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: LCADolby on June 02, 2025, 02:35:04 AM
People have more fun when the sides are equal.
Auto Switch helps to keep gameplay fun by enabling people to fight for the lowest numbered side.
It does not hurt, don't be stupid :old:
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: 1Cane on June 02, 2025, 06:14:44 AM
I went auto switch when it was 15 vs 3, Now 14 vs 4 and never looked back. By your logic you prefer 15 vs 3 Never a shortage of fights just a surplus of bad players
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Shuffler on June 02, 2025, 12:47:25 PM
There are People loyal to a side, and there are people loyal to the game. They are not necessarily the same.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: oTRALFZo on June 02, 2025, 01:13:21 PM
Country loyalty is much more toxic to the game.
Greater majority of players usually like to stick to one side which is fine. I do tell you that moving around if you can will give you a chance to work and play with others can be a bit refreshing at times. Staying constantly in that chess piece bubble and not getting a chance to fly with everyone in the community will often make you miserable (Hence, I am sure a majority of "cheating" allegations would change if you flew with that guy a bit).
Loyalty to squad first. Chess Piece second. and besides, it makes for great banter when you get vulched by your squaddie on auto switch (Saitek :furious)
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Banshee7 on June 02, 2025, 01:34:21 PM
Greater majority of players usually like to stick to one side which is fine. I do tell you that moving around if you can will give you a chance to work and play with others can be a bit refreshing at times. Staying constantly in that chess piece bubble and not getting a chance to fly with everyone in the community will often make you miserable (Hence, I am sure a majority of "cheating" allegations would change if you flew with that guy a bit).
Loyalty to squad first. Chess Piece second. and besides, it makes for great banter when you get vulched by your squaddie on auto switch (Saitek :furious)
This :aok :aok :aok
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Lusche on June 02, 2025, 01:44:10 PM
It's not just simply a choice between 'country loyalty' or 'game loyalty'. it's also about playing styles, how one plays the game. Do you play it as a flight sim only, and it's all about that white knuckles while trying to out turn that one opponent - or do you play it as a war sim/game?
I, for one, have been in the latter group for the most time in my AH career. For me it wasn't just about that single fight, it was about that battle and about the war (inasmuch as it shaped the battles. It was about the strategy, it was about the tactics. It was about correctly reading the enemy's intention, trying to guess his moves- Where is this darbar going to? How long did you say hasn't the Bish CV from P12 not been spotted? Where might it be by now? The (insert landgrabbing megasquad) are on with all three wings, where might they be going now? How can I best help with that battle and turn the tide of war?
That's why I was usually country loyal for months, or (in my later career) per tour or at least per map. With auto switch, that doesn't work any more, because you know too much. Of course, you can still be honourable and chose not to make use of that forbidden knowledge, but that limits you and takes all of the above away. Not to mention doing a long range mission to the enemy strats just to get asked to resupply them after you landed and autoswitch struck
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: LCADolby on June 02, 2025, 01:51:01 PM
Country loyalty worked when there was zone bases with strats, 700 players, and multiple large sized squads in an arena. 2008 is long ago :old:
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 02, 2025, 02:21:33 PM
For many of us that came from Airwarrior it was away of life. I was a B lander from the first time I logged on to GEnie to the last night of AW. It's just what we do.
Cavalry
I was also BZ til the end. When you stick to one side it’s like 3 baseball teams. Just seemed normal/natural. It was perceived as bad to change. “TRAITOR!!”
WB players may have been different. Several long time traditions from other games were brought together in AH. Everything has been a debate since.
First ones here gave AWers a lot of crap when we migrated, even tho we doubled to tripled long term population. “This is OUR game…”.
I was Rook since 2000, took a long break, been Knit since.
I think this is all out if proportion. <ducks from projectiles>
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Randy1 on June 02, 2025, 03:09:25 PM
All of this has me thinking of DR7. Well liked across the game for his game skills and friendly nature. DR changed sides after a very long stay in each country. That worked very well.
The AKs swap countries for squad play. That seems to work.
Lussche's post hit the nail on the head.
I have a lot of good game friends on the Rook side. I would hate to let that go if auto-swap was mandatory.
Fugi make a very strong point on the crazy attack on the bish last night. In the recent past the Rooks and Knits have had the same thing happen to them.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: The Fugitive on June 02, 2025, 04:04:40 PM
All of this has me thinking of DR7. Well liked across the game for his game skills and friendly nature. DR changed sides after a very long stay in each country. That worked very well.
The AKs swap countries for squad play. That seems to work.
Lussche's post hit the nail on the head.
I have a lot of good game friends on the Rook side. I would hate to let that go if auto-swap was mandatory.
Fugi make a very strong point on the crazy attack on the bish last night. In the recent past the Rooks and Knits have had the same thing happen to them.
I dont think anyone is talking about making auto-switch mandatory. I dont think it hurts the game as those that do do it.... oops I said do-do! are honorable and dont use the info they bring from the previous team.
I think what needs to happen is who ever is leading these groups to hammer a team has to recognize what is happening. I know our squad, the Sik Puppies, once we take over the 20% of one team we switch to the other front. If a team has an overwhelming numbers like in the morning why couldnt they split their team and hit both fronts at the same time? If players could actually do things like this it certainly would help the game, and make it more fun for everyone.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: fd ski on June 07, 2025, 10:51:46 AM
i like autoswitch - always puts me on the underdog side so less trouble finding fights.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: RotBaron on June 07, 2025, 03:53:05 PM
Sunday night, Knits had over 50% of the Bish bases. Why? It shouldnt happen. How many players logged when they logged in and saw that. Just stupid.
Bish morning crew intentionally did the same today: insert your statement/question here too…
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Ramesis on June 07, 2025, 04:55:42 PM
Why not just have 1 giant dueling arena?
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Mayhem on June 07, 2025, 05:18:33 PM
ENY has been a complete pain in my arse ever since it has been implemented and has been a contributing factor in me cancelling my subscription more than twice.
I like to fly with my friends and squad. The Damned FSO squad got folded into the 412th over a decade ago. Back during Covid I would try and make FSO then Fly the MA afterwards with J0ker and Drano. We would Fly P38s sometimes I would fly my big blue bent wing beauty. After about 30 minutes of flyign in the MA after FSO we would get locked out of all the aircraft we wanted to fly. We would change sides if we could. However, shortly After a side swap sides would become unbalanced again and ENY would ruin the fun. After the first side swap you couldn't change countries again for 6 hours well past out bedtimes. At this point we would just log off.
But Wait there's MORE!
Now we have Auto Contry Swap ... Which is great for the friendless looser who has no squad or friends to fly with ... it even gave them perk points. Unfortunately it has 2 fatal flaws .... First you can't side swap as a group and could very well find yourself fighting the very buddy you were winging with 10 minutes earlier and secondly once you depart the auto change poney ride I hope you like the country you are on because the lock still kicks in and you are stuck for 6 hours.
Simplest solution that took the least amount of effort to deal with the issue ..... Turn off the Country Change Lock or reduce to 30 min or 1hour. For a Bonus instead of using ENY to lock out planes just start perking the late war models depending on what the ENY values are.
Nope we got complex side swapping mechanism that doesn't really fix anything and the game is still bleeding paying customers.
I tried to build The Damned Back up in 2019 right before Covid went into full swing. No one really wanted to come back to AH even to this day.
Most of the older players wanted to move on to DCS and IL2.
We have no problem recruiting from the DCS community or Recruiting old AH and AW players to DCS but none of them want to come back to AH. Right now we have about 3 or 4 active Damned and about 2 or 3 inactive (Does not fly as Damned) players in AH and It's practically impossible to recruit in AH with declining numbers.
Doesn't really help us when we have a Masonic approach to recruitment .... 2B1Ask1, but it helps reduce the chanced of getting Jon Ray'ed again.
Their are two legitimate arguments against Instant side swapping.
CV Tomfoolery which has a simple solution .... Lock out CV control for players if they change sides for 1-6 hours. It's better than locking out side changing. Also keep in mind right now nothing stops auto swap players from dorking around with the CV's
Other wise the only major argument against instant side swapping is Greifing and Spying. Nothing stops autoswappers from doing this any way they just have less control over it as they don't get to decide when the change and what country they change to.
Spying itself is a joke. Make a free account or a shade, Sit in the tower, Open up your map and text buffer ... Privately stream the game to youtube, Facebook, Discord,Twitch .... even when a player isn't actively playing they can just set it up for their friends. Get a couple of account or friends to do this and you everything that is going on an all sides and there is absolutely NOTHING any one can do about it!
So Spying has been a mute point ever since live game streaming became a thing.
But at the end of the day Side balancing is broke they game is still bleeding subscribers. If HTC and/or the AH community doesn't come up with a fix the game is going to die a slow agonizing death that even AH baby Jesus can't save!
Pass the popcorn
P.S. Some people have been asking for AH MA to go to a two sides war from three. I'm not sure if that would work but I think it's a good idea to give it a try at least until we have the numbers to go back to a 3 way war in the MA.
Edit: We already have the auto swap and there is no reason to do away with it even if we turn off the Lockouts. It gives us one more side balancing tool and gives un-attached players a chance to pick up some perks plus HT already put in the work to design and deploy it, I would hate to waste it.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: JimmyD3 on June 07, 2025, 06:32:22 PM
We have no problem recruiting from the DCS community or Recruiting old AH and AW players to DCS but none of them want to come back to AH. Right now we have about 3 or 4 active Damned and about 2 or 3 inactive (Does not fly as Damned) players in AH and It's practically impossible to recruit in AH with declining numbers.
Pass the popcorn
Quick disclosure before I get attacked by Animl the ankle biter and the other guy who's name I forget. I was just here responding to some PMs and saw this post and couldn't help myself.
I'd come back and apply to join as long as if I'm accepted I can fly as Skier use the same "enhancements" he did, trash talk to everybody and I can say it's actually my squad!
Actually I'd be more interested in joining in IL2 or WT. I haven't really got into DCS. A couple good guys on comms could rule in WT sim battles.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: caldera on June 07, 2025, 07:30:14 PM
ENY has been a complete pain in my arse ever since it has been implemented and has been a contributing factor in me cancelling my subscription more than twice.
I like to fly with my friends and squad. The Damned FSO squad got folded into the 412th over a decade ago. Back during Covid I would try and make FSO then Fly the MA afterwards with J0ker and Drano. We would Fly P38s sometimes I would fly my big blue bent wing beauty. After about 30 minutes of flyign in the MA after FSO we would get locked out of all the aircraft we wanted to fly. We would change sides if we could. However, shortly After a side swap sides would become unbalanced again and ENY would ruin the fun. After the first side swap you couldn't change countries again for 6 hours well past out bedtimes. At this point we would just log off.
But Wait there's MORE!
Now we have Auto Contry Swap ... Which is great for the friendless looser who has no squad or friends to fly with ... it even gave them perk points. Unfortunately it has 2 fatal flaws .... First you can't side swap as a group and could very well find yourself fighting the very buddy you were winging with 10 minutes earlier and secondly once you depart the auto change poney ride I hope you like the country you are on because the lock still kicks in and you are stuck for 6 hours.
Simplest solution that took the least amount of effort to deal with the issue ..... Turn off the Country Change Lock or reduce to 30 min or 1hour. For a Bonus instead of using ENY to lock out planes just start perking the late war models depending on what the ENY values are.
Nope we got complex side swapping mechanism that doesn't really fix anything and the game is still bleeding paying customers.
I tried to build The Damned Back up in 2019 right before Covid went into full swing. No one really wanted to come back to AH even to this day.
Most of the older players wanted to move on to DCS and IL2.
We have no problem recruiting from the DCS community or Recruiting old AH and AW players to DCS but none of them want to come back to AH. Right now we have about 3 or 4 active Damned and about 2 or 3 inactive (Does not fly as Damned) players in AH and It's practically impossible to recruit in AH with declining numbers.
Doesn't really help us when we have a Masonic approach to recruitment .... 2B1Ask1, but it helps reduce the chanced of getting Jon Ray'ed again.
Their are two legitimate arguments against Instant side swapping.
CV Tomfoolery which has a simple solution .... Lock out CV control for players if they change sides for 1-6 hours. It's better than locking out side changing. Also keep in mind right now nothing stops auto swap players from dorking around with the CV's
Other wise the only major argument against instant side swapping is Greifing and Spying. Nothing stops autoswappers from doing this any way they just have less control over it as they don't get to decide when the change and what country they change to.
Spying itself is a joke. Make a free account or a shade, Sit in the tower, Open up your map and text buffer ... Privately stream the game to youtube, Facebook, Discord,Twitch .... even when a player isn't actively playing they can just set it up for their friends. Get a couple of account or friends to do this and you everything that is going on an all sides and there is absolutely NOTHING any one can do about it!
So Spying has been a mute point ever since live game streaming became a thing.
But at the end of the day Side balancing is broke they game is still bleeding subscribers. If HTC and/or the AH community doesn't come up with a fix the game is going to die a slow agonizing death that even AH baby Jesus can't save!
Pass the popcorn
P.S. Some people have been asking for AH MA to go to a two sides war from three. I'm not sure if that would work but I think it's a good idea to give it a try at least until we have the numbers to go back to a 3 way war in the MA.
Edit: We already have the auto swap and there is no reason to do away with it even if we turn off the Lockouts. It gives us one more side balancing tool and gives un-attached players a chance to pick up some perks plus HT already put in the work to design and deploy it, I would hate to waste it.
There are several good ideas here that should be noted.
If we were to do a word cloud on the most mentioned complaints we would prolly see ENY, Radar, Side balance and Perks at the top, as a pattern.
The 2-Country thing has been brought up for decades, and as some with scorched ears on the subject it all looks good on paper. Human Nature and the path of least resistance and Odds are almost never equated and when it is the subject dies. It works in IL-2 because the game was designed from the embryo to be that way. But as realistic as it sounds, WWII was not really two-sided. There were many fronts of many countries, and a few countries switched sides.
It's usually only brought up by a very small group that simply repeats the subject, it seems to be the least of majority's concerns. Ask yourself, if it were, why is the AvA always empty? Well, because the masses are in the MA. It's not a concern as they have an unused option. I think this is stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime. I think other subjects are more pending. I think if you did that in this game it would work the opposite of the goal.
First of all, there has to be the Will to at least consider some tweaks.
If we stick with ENY, Perks, Side change and Radar.
I think most understand that the current radar helps new players. Icons is one of those too. I think tampering with anything that helps new players is voodoo. However, I highly prefer Dot Dar, but I'm not going through a learning curve either. Don't stack the challenge too high.
Now we're down to ENY, Perks, Side balance. What is the center point that makes these 3 items have negative effects. Prolly human nature and the path of least resistance. Are they implemented too hard, or not enough? Which change would have a bigger impact on attracting former/new players, better yet avoid chancing players out?
The current system of side balancing doesn't help gang-bang situations, in fact can exacerbate the problem. It's not doing that math (I don't think). It will send you to a gang-banging country if the victim country's numbers are higher than those of either gang-banging countries. 60 vs 30 is not equal in a gang-bang, only by country. It would have to send the switches to the country of 30 to balance GB situation, it doesn't. SO the algorithm to do this would probably be extensive. It's more likely some of that situation is up to the community to solve. Gaming human nature is an ugly beast. I'm sure there could be a small tweak that works with the other two issues. 3 way side balance may need a tweak. not sure on that one. That's the debate.
Personally, on the remaining subjects, I think the ideas mentioned above deserve a closer consideration.
At least at a glance, IMO, these 3 items need to work in unison.
What's the center point? What's the goal?
A couple references gave me a chuckle.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: hazmatt on June 07, 2025, 08:52:02 PM
Wow, does this mean that you're on the ankle biter team too? No wonder the game is dying. I bet between all of you ankle biters and chest pounders that you could drive the few remaining players out while discouraging any new player from joining. Good job! WTG. Give yourself a participation trophy! lolz
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: DmonSlyr on June 07, 2025, 08:59:46 PM
The time switch should be 3 hours. It would make a lot more sense. The tides of the fights and #s change within 3 hours so its long enough to not be able to manipulate fights, but also allows you potentially 2 switches in the evening, one at 6 and one at 9, if you really wanted.
Going to the lower # side especially during off hours, is akin to seeing no seeing no action at all. The biggest problem with gameplay is huge maps like Oceana with 35 players on them. There's no action, scattered tiny dars, and if the CV gets sunk, everyone disappears from the fight. It's TOO BIG, and its really not making big battles for all sides to be apart of. That should be the goal. If maps arent performing they need to go. Oceana being up all weekend is not good.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 07, 2025, 09:46:05 PM
Quick disclosure before I get attacked by Animl the ankle biter and the other guy who's name I forget. I was just here responding to some PMs and saw this post and couldn't help myself.
I'd come back and apply to join as long as if I'm accepted I can fly as Skier use the same "enhancements" he did, trash talk to everybody and I can say it's actually my squad!
Ankle biter? DUDE, you ALLOW yourself to be offended by everything. If it's not on a red felt pillow you're offended. You keep playing this professional victim role. Whateva, people tried to appease you and you rinse and repeat with no true intentions of returning, ya burned peeps out on it. They gave up. Simple.
You kinda troll for the negative attention that you claim to not want. Because once someone responds in the like, you say "see I told ya".
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: hazmatt on June 07, 2025, 11:14:36 PM
Ankle biter? DUDE, you ALLOW yourself to be offended by everything. If it's not on a red felt pillow you're offended. You keep playing this professional victim role. Whateva, people tried to appease you and you rinse and repeat with no true intentions of returning, ya burned peeps out on it. They gave up. Simple.
You kinda troll for the negative attention that you claim to not want. Because once someone responds in the like, you say "see I told ya".
You guy are really going all out. I haven't been here in weeks and I got a warning for: 14- Posting topics or threads which are based on politics, race, or religion is expressly forbidden. Shame and you guys must be scouring the boards looking for anything that seems slightly out of line.
I'm giving everybody that I get PMs my personal email so some I will have no reason to log on here at all :)
Enjoy the train wreck you guys are creating. I just had a couple PMs to respond to. Don't worry I won't be back until I get some more :)
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 08, 2025, 12:24:37 AM
You guy are really going all out. I haven't been here in weeks and I got a warning for: 14- Posting topics or threads which are based on politics, race, or religion is expressly forbidden. Shame and you guys must be scouring the boards looking for anything that seems slightly out of line.
I'm giving everybody that I get PMs my personal email so some I will have no reason to log on here at all :)
Enjoy the train wreck you guys are creating. I just had a couple PMs to respond to. Don't worry I won't be back until I get some more :)
Alrighty then.
I’ll be movin on now.
I was just thinking since you trolled my name For a response I’d give ya one. All that effort in two post deserved some reward. But, ya know. Just another former player biting my ankles.
You’ll be invoiced for my highly craved attention services.
Never had a good time here, good thing I do in game.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: The Fugitive on June 08, 2025, 07:33:09 AM
You guy are really going all out. I haven't been here in weeks and I got a warning for: 14- Posting topics or threads which are based on politics, race, or religion is expressly forbidden. Shame and you guys must be scouring the boards looking for anything that seems slightly out of line.
I'm giving everybody that I get PMs my personal email so some I will have no reason to log on here at all :)
Enjoy the train wreck you guys are creating. I just had a couple PMs to respond to. Don't worry I won't be back until I get some more :)
Well, someones been using your account.
One post today, 2 yesterday, and then the "weeks off" spacing all the way back to June 1st. You didnt even make it one week. More fantasy just to come in and make a Fuss.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Eagler on June 08, 2025, 08:15:54 AM
Not sure auto assign fixes anything..
Been using it for a bit now and it doesn't put you on a side with more fights all the time..sometimes just the opposite..
I think lowering the country switch time to 60 or 90 minutes would be better...maybe getting rid of the delay altogether..
If no one wants to use auto assign, why would they switch country if the delay was removed?
The excuse that it reduces cheating just seems ridiculous at this point...
60 online at prime...who is cheating with those low numbers lol..
Eagler
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: DmonSlyr on June 08, 2025, 11:26:02 AM
What good does auto side switch do if Im a fighter and the map is so large that the lower # side has no action at all? Im looking for a battle, not one con jaboing a field or flying 15k in a 190. If I cant join the battle from the lower # side because the fight anf only battle is 300 miles away on the other side of the map. In which sometimes you dont know who's winning that battle, there isn't much I can do so I'll just log and find quicker action in another game and check back in AH later if I can to see if bigger fights erupt closer.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Lazerr on June 08, 2025, 02:29:40 PM
I use and don't use it. Like mentioned before sometimes you need to make a chosen country change to find the fight.
I've also found that sometimes when you switch to fight the horde, they don't like getting shot down. They then switch targets to avoid the resistance.
Very few are here for the fight it appears..
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: JimmyD3 on June 08, 2025, 02:35:54 PM
I use and don't use it. Like mentioned before sometimes you need to make a chosen country change to find the fight.
I've also found that sometimes when you switch to fight the horde, they don't like getting shot down. They then switch targets to avoid the resistance.
Very few are here for the fight it appears..
LOL, not to be disrespectful Lazerr, but that is your "mantra"
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: RotBaron on June 08, 2025, 06:13:06 PM
Your missing the point, it is NEVER justified, I don't care WHO does it.
When I ask Knights why they continue the answer is regularly because Bish deserve it - usually because of the morning horde. What do the Bishops give as reason?
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Lazerr on June 08, 2025, 08:39:14 PM
Now we have Auto Contry Swap ... Which is great for the friendless looser who has no squad or friends to fly with ... it even gave them perk points. Unfortunately it has 2 fatal flaws .... First you can't side swap as a group and could very well find yourself fighting the very buddy you were winging with 10 minutes earlier and secondly once you depart the auto change poney ride I hope you like the country you are on because the lock still kicks in and you are stuck for 6 hours.
Wow.... so many more friends on all sides. Not limiting your friends to just one side is a good thing in my book. Calling that person a loser is a bit much.
I use and don't use it. Like mentioned before sometimes you need to make a chosen country change to find the fight.
I've also found that sometimes when you switch to fight the horde, they don't like getting shot down. They then switch targets to avoid the resistance.
Very few are here for the fight it appears..
I am inclined to agree.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Oldman731 on June 13, 2025, 11:32:11 PM
To be accurate, he didn't call people like me "friendless losers." He called us "friendless loosers." I'm OK with that. Loose is good. Looser is better.
- oldman
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 14, 2025, 08:41:02 AM
The never ending “can’t find a fight” mantra.
Seems to me my flight, death and kill ratio seems to suggest fights were found.
How can someone have a high kill rate and say they can’t find fights?
I seem to find a fight every time I take off.
Who here has landed without a fight? Do you want them to come to you or do you go to them? Is it because they didn’t get 50 kills in an hour?
IMO, repeat complaint that doesn’t seem to add up, more like complain just to complain and its a go to phrase.
Years ago in AH prime I thought the arenas were over-crowded, more like fishing in a barrel of newbs. Ya could just fly around pulling a trigger and hit something. If one is comparing to that they might be disappointed. Many times I didn’t fly . Hell you could barely get up and have room to grab alt. One of the reasons I faded.
Its not fishing in a barrel anymore, but I find it hard to believe ya can never find fights.
“I fight hordes but can’t find a fight”. <blank stare>
IMO, if your flight ratio is higher than your death or kill ratio you didn’t find enough fights.
How is it I complain about 5-1 hordes, others complain they can’t find a fight?
<drops mic and runs>
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Eagler on June 14, 2025, 08:47:24 AM
I don't find flying to fights that enjoyable..
Yes I can always find a fight but I don't want to fly two squares to get to it and then be outnumbered as you are the only plane from your chess piece and are now fighting both of the other two chess piece teams..
As some of us don't spend hours a day, we want more instant action...much more than ma usually provides these days..and those of us who actually try to help by using auto assign can tell you it ain't doing what it's supposed to do these days and something new should be tried..
Eagler
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 14, 2025, 09:03:28 AM
Yes I can always find a fight but I don't want to fly two squares to get to it and then be outnumbered as you are the only plane from your chess piece and are now fighting both of the other two chess piece teams..
As some of us don't spend hours a day, we want more instant action...much more than ma usually provides these days..and those of us who actually try to help by using auto assign can tell you it ain't doing what it's supposed to do these days and something new should be tried..
Eagler
Well, I fly 1-1.5 sectors to gain alt on my way to a battle. There is a base every sector. So 2 sectors suggest its choice for alt.
Some imply they want it to be arcade, without actually saying it. There is always dweeby WT.
Again, math is absolute. I suggest study your ratios. What players say and what actually is don’t seem to compute, from my POV.
I can see when two countries are fighting each other but not the 3rd ( no I will not enter 2 country debate for the 20k time) but thats not super often when I fly. Is it great? Probably not, but seems some bank on half-truths to make a point.
Ya know where ya really can’t find a fight? DCS. Compared to that this is a hail storm. So what are we comparing it to?
Oldman comes in for 30 min and finds two - three fights.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Eagler on June 14, 2025, 09:45:31 AM
Flying to an alt 2 sectors allow creates different issues...
See Skyyr how that advantage is properly used..
Yes if you switch countries liberally you should be able to find a fight...decent fight might be a different story..but auto assign ain't doing that these days if it ever did..
I and others are in for the fight..you call it arcade lol
Enjoy your 2 sectors flight to die in about 2 minutes after you finally arrive at the fight...
Eagler
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Randy1 on June 14, 2025, 10:46:28 AM
Since auto swap was initiated, the number of players seem to be on a slow, but still ever increasing decline.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 14, 2025, 11:05:51 AM
Flying to an alt 2 sectors allow creates different issues...
See Skyyr how that advantage is properly used..
Yes if you switch countries liberally you should be able to find a fight...decent fight might be a different story..but auto assign ain't doing that these days if it ever did..
I and others are in for the fight..you call it arcade lol
Enjoy your 2 sectors flight to die in about 2 minutes after you finally arrive at the fight...
Eagler
Since when is that new? I’ve been doing that since my first days in AW (35 yrs ago) Flying 1-2 sectors fir alt and speed. YKW didn’t invent that, that's my whole style. Ya fly high and slope fir E into a fight. That is preferred flying. Thats how you go in with an edge.
Arcade would be air-spawn.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 14, 2025, 11:24:24 AM
Since auto swap was initiated, the number of players seem to be on a slow, but still ever increasing decline.
I don’t think there us any one single blanket answer. Someone else says Dar, another ENY, and there’s perks. But each one will claim its THE problem.
>IMO< its lack of promoting and numbers. Numbers is the center point to most setting complaints. You need to be above 120. These issues start diminishing. I know we can up numbers, we went from 112 to 180-200 in 2-3 months during MotA…..when most were trying to promote, and it worked. But then they stopped and the decline happened. It cannot stop.
Ya know what happens if we don’t promote a concert of a know artist? No one comes. Promoting can never stop. Pepsi still advertises.
Numbers are the reason everyone gives why a setting must change.
Some may say I was obsessed, I wasn’t. I know whats required to sell a concert :)
We sold MotA well.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: The Fugitive on June 14, 2025, 11:32:39 AM
Since auto swap was initiated, the number of players seem to be on a slow, but still ever increasing decline.
The game has been on a slow and steady decline for more than 10 years. It has nothing to do with "auto country swap", but to do with hiding in the corner of the room of many great games. The game needs updates and with those updates you would see more action on the HTC webpage announcing them which in turn spreads to other pages as people start to talk about them. This helps keep the name "Aces High" popping up here and there in connection with flight sims/combat games which adds into the google algorithms.
At this point very few hear about this game, so very few find, let alone try this game.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 14, 2025, 11:55:13 AM
I think someone should post on front page new settings made, as mentioned in another thread. It shows life.
Also, ya can’t sell Pepsi while allowing selling Coke on your front page, better yet anywhere. This was cool when all sims had similar grade graphics, I think it works backwards when you’re the one behind.
But hey. I caught a lot of nonsense implementing common logic. So then there’s that
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: LCADolby on June 14, 2025, 12:25:52 PM
Summer numbers are always lower than the previous winter, keep that in mind when making those numbers decline claims. :old:
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Morpheus on June 14, 2025, 01:43:03 PM
Common sense Vet style talk, and there aren't many like you around playing the game like we used to. Sad because no newbs are familiar with just what it is like or what the personal "world" at home becomes when you get got into a HOT furball.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Randy1 on June 14, 2025, 02:13:33 PM
I had original thought the unusual low number of players was typical for end of school year but now they are really low even for this time of year.
Most of us still playing AH are retired so no real change when school is out.
Depends where you live. Weather plays a huge role. If you’re in a sunshine state you don’t notice. But if you live in a state with cold winters, as soon as its warm people want to stay outside. During summer here we won’t run many indoor concerts because its just too hard to drag peeps inside from a bbq and family gatherings. Plus kids out of school parents need to tend to them. I’m not sure teens are our best target audience.
Summer is a good time to build an artillery of promotion material so it can be unleashed late summer for the fall to spring numbers.
I know I talk concerts a lot, but its entertainment that borders the same type of promos. In contracts you must agree to put out no less than 10k in promo 6 mos in advance of show. Same thing, if you want winter numbers start promos mid-late summer, and pile right through to spring.
We don’t have a board for marketing like most companies, we are it. We are tasked with that role, or not.
But they are allowed to be shoved to another sim when they come,… don’t waste your time. Another Skyyr and V and we’re done
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Dadtallica on June 14, 2025, 03:35:43 PM
To be accurate, he didn't call people like me "friendless losers." He called us "friendless loosers." I'm OK with that. Loose is good. Looser is better.
- oldman
DOH.... true... lol.
I R 1 2 :D
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 16, 2025, 02:24:32 PM
Sorry, but you’re all worried about summer numbers. Considering the garbage crowd chasing stuff that can happen here, down 12-20 is normal.
We got dealt bad cards when we held 200. Some who hang here didn’t like that success, they want to be right about quitting. They told no way we could regain some numbers.Then took advantage on that we did. So, consider where your losses occurred.
When people do what YKW and s few others did to me, no ine in their right mind would WANT to be around that.
The game doesn’t suck. Some people put intensional effort into making it appear to suck.
IMO
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Dadtallica on June 16, 2025, 04:14:23 PM
Why does everyone always have to explain trends to you?
There will be less people here this summer than there were last summer. There were less people here last summer than there were the summer before it and so on up the line all the au back to the salad days.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 16, 2025, 05:19:17 PM
As long as certain stuff goes on the trend will continue.
like McDs, throw everything on it, but never change the obvious problem, the meat patty.
Its every single setting, but its never the obvious.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: DmonSlyr on June 16, 2025, 08:14:40 PM
As long as certain stuff goes on the trend will continue.
like McDs, throw everything on it, but never change the obvious problem, the meat patty.
Its every single setting, but its never the obvious.
They flubbed the "new" chicken sandwich so hard. They tried to hop on the Popeyes chicken sandwich fad, only to basically make it exactly the same only different, not understanding the key difference is having a real peice of chicken...
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Alpo on June 17, 2025, 07:45:16 AM
Been using it for a bit now and it doesn't put you on a side with more fights all the time..sometimes just the opposite..
I think lowering the country switch time to 60 or 90 minutes would be better...maybe getting rid of the delay altogether..
If no one wants to use auto assign, why would they switch country if the delay was removed?
The excuse that it reduces cheating just seems ridiculous at this point...
60 online at prime...who is cheating with those low numbers lol..
Eagler
I have to agree. With the decline of my squadron's numbers in the MA, I decided to try the auto-switch for the first time. At first, I was pleasantly surprised. Fights were found, everyone the same level of chatty on range, good times all around.
Then the reality of the algorithm hits... :furious
You are in the midst of a great fight and you hear "Check six Alpo!" ping ping ping... tower. Anxious to get back into it, you look around... where in the heck am I???? <sigh> switcherroo'd.
A simple "Do you want to auto switch (yes/no)" before the event actually happened would be nice, but since I doubt that will happen in my lifetime, I'm guessing some random country will be stuck with me for more than the 1-2 hours I have to give :rofl
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 17, 2025, 08:01:13 AM
They flubbed the "new" chicken sandwich so hard. They tried to hop on the Popeyes chicken sandwich fad, only to basically make it exactly the same only different, not understanding the key difference is having a real peice of chicken...
Point being, they will throw anything on it, but never change the patty. We literally had 5 mentions in MotA announcement. We had a uber dweeb spreading personal info, ya can’t talk about another sim or even this one without Pretty Planes taking it over. Former players putting us in a negative light. We advertise other sims on our front page, thinking it would be a sim hangout, but some exploited that and they now drag out.
Can’t imagine why we have number issues…. Same reasons for years now. But kets not clean it up. It must be a setting that will drag peeps in <blank state>
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Morpheus on June 17, 2025, 11:45:56 AM
THIS IS Something that many of us don't log in to fly anymore!
A true real Furball was one of those things that I would find nearly every time I would log in and find!!! You'd see Leviathn banking 15-20 kills per sortie, AND the same goes for guys like Drex Shane, and Wax! The King of the NIK Imo! lol
The really, sad thing I see in regards to any Newb is that they've never seen a furball! That is what died nearly a decade ago, along with the rest of us!
This isn't just my opinion, this I truly what I believe are SAD FACTS of what only a newbie will find today in regards to game play...
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: fudgums on June 17, 2025, 11:55:20 AM
But have you guys felt the thrill of resupplying a base?
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Eagler on June 17, 2025, 12:33:01 PM
Small enough maps with the lowered number of bases would have the action with the numbers we have..going two sided would help..
Not aware of any other ww2 sim that has at least 60 players on the same map at the same time every evening 7 days a week during prime time...
It's not the game but more the map size and possibly the number of sides that needs to be corrected to restore the ma of yesterday imo..
Eagler
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Lusche on June 17, 2025, 01:09:34 PM
"Aces High III," the long-running World War II combat flight simulator developed by HiTech Creations, is in decline for a mix of reasons. Here’s a breakdown of the most likely causes: --- 1. Aging Game Engine Graphics and mechanics haven't kept pace with modern expectations. Despite periodic updates, AH3 still feels dated compared to newer flight sims like War Thunder, IL-2 Sturmovik, or DCS World. It lacks advanced lighting, weather systems, and cockpit fidelity that modern sims offer. --- 2. Small Developer Team HiTech Creations is a small indie studio with limited resources. This restricts the rate of development, marketing, and community support. Larger titles have dedicated dev teams and bigger budgets to innovate and fix bugs faster. (Note I think the current development team consist of 1 person) --- 3. Niche Appeal Hardcore WWII sims already appeal to a small segment of gamers. AH3 is more MMO-style than simulator-focused, which splits its appeal—it’s too arcade for hardcore sim fans and too complex for casual players. --- 4. Lack of Player Base Growth New players struggle with the steep learning curve and outdated UI, leading to poor retention. The community is loyal but aging, and without fresh blood, player numbers steadily decline. --- 5. Competition War Thunder (free-to-play, massive player base, constant updates) and IL-2/DCS (ultra-realistic, VR support) dominate the space now. AH3 hasn’t innovated enough to carve a competitive edge or new identity. --- 6. Marketing and Visibility Minimal advertising or influencer engagement means new players don’t even know it exists. Steam launch in 2016 didn’t result in sustained growth. --- 7. Subscription Model Monthly subscription in an era dominated by free-to-play or one-time-purchase games is a turn-off. Especially hard to justify for a dated product
On top of that you have the Side Imbalance Issue and Aircraft Selection Lock outs that also drive players away from the game. To add to player loss we have members passing away like TC Whels and NB just to name a few. Without a new game engine or major updates Aces High as we know it will end and if nothing else Hitech isn't going to live forever.
I'm not even touching on the game getting Jon Ray'ed a few times.
What the game has going for it is that competitors don't have
1) It's a true Mass Multiplayer Game 2) It has a PTO plane set 3) It has the AH community that is the spiritual successor to the AW community.
The only things I can think of that can save the game for any measurable length of time that lack major retooling/coding time is .....
1) Drop the subscription price to the bare minimum to keep the game running and put a bottle of scotch in HiTech's liquor cabinet every Friday. (>$10) PLUS longer term subscriptions with a discount say 6 months for $50 1 year for $90 etc.
2) Change Eny so that it only effects perk cost without locking aircraft out.
3) Turn the Side change lockout to a much shorter period say like 1 hour.
4) Disable the Side change lockout for people exiting the "Country Auto Swap"
5) goto a 2 sided war and/or smaller maps.
But none of this will happen and the communities pleas will fall on deaf ears (Doesn't help the community is divided on the issues).
Any one wanta start a betting pool as to how long the game is going to last? My money is on 2 years and 3 months.
To put it bluntly, I'm not going to pay $15 a month for a game I hardly have time to play, and that when I do play it I get locked out of the aircraft I want to fly to the point I rage quit. Plane lock outs have caused me to cancel my subscription a couple of times and there is no way in Hell I'm coming back wile the current ENY feces Fest is still ongoing. If I want to get screwed to the point of rage quitting I'll go play "Dark Souls" at least Dark Souls doesn't come with a monthly subscription fee.
Oh ya we need a popcorn emoji too.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: The Fugitive on June 17, 2025, 02:18:54 PM
Small enough maps with the lowered number of bases would have the action with the numbers we have..going two sided would help..
Not aware of any other ww2 sim that has at least 60 players on the same map at the same time every evening 7 days a week during prime time...
It's not the game but more the map size and possibly the number of sides that needs to be corrected to restore the ma of yesterday imo..
Eagler
I agree that smaller maps would be better. It condenses the numbers we do have. NDIsles, Baltic and Mindanao always have good fights going. The other maps allow to much spreading out.
As for 2 sides, you will never come close to a balanced playfield. One side would always have ENY because its human nature to pick the strong side. And you wont be able to "auto" side fill because of squads and yes "team loyalty" because that to is part of the game. Community was the reason Hitech put a limit on the number of players that an arena could have and created the split arenas. He felt that a player coming in could be lost in the extra numbers and not feel part of the game. 2 sides will never work in the MA.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Eagler on June 17, 2025, 02:37:45 PM
No eny..
Let the maps roll over as fast as that would then allow..this map, that map if they are all small decent maps who really cares?
I think the player base would gravitate towards balanced sides..I'd hope anyways as a pile one one side would not work..
Mayhem has some good ideas too
Eagler
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Banshee7 on June 17, 2025, 03:58:12 PM
Small maps with three countries (5-6 bases each) with strats for the bomber boys, all condensed within a few sectors to make it nearly impossible to avoid combat. Almost like a moshpit setup. All players fighting for bases in just a few sectors... Sheesh I'm getting worked up just thinking of that scenario. :x :x Plenty of GV spawns for the ground guys, base takes for the win the war guys, and a collection of several small maps (like a max of 25 sectors... I think 9 would be too small). In my opinion, I think that would make 100 players feel like the 3-400 we used to have. I've been wrong before and could be wrong again. Just thinking out loud.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: thndregg on June 17, 2025, 04:01:41 PM
Sunday night, Knits had over 50% of the Bish bases. Why? It shouldnt happen. How many players logged when they logged in and saw that. Just stupid.
Observed similar during a recent evening ( early east coast US morning) here in SE Asia recently. Logged in as the only one on the Bish side, saw the very populated Knight roster rolling the empty Bishland , and perhaps just a few Rooks were on.
Logged off.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: popeye on June 17, 2025, 05:07:11 PM
Small maps with three countries (5-6 bases each) with strats for the bomber boys, all condensed within a few sectors to make it nearly impossible to avoid combat.
It would be fun with 15 players per side, but the 15 v 3 v 2 AM horde would win it in 20 minutes.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Banshee7 on June 17, 2025, 05:19:13 PM
It would be fun with 15 players per side, but the 15 v 3 v 2 AM horde would win it in 20 minutes.
Then let it rotate. Keep several in rotation like I said. You're never going to to get rid of the funkilling hordes, so just let them have their map win quickly and move on.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Eagler on June 17, 2025, 05:26:14 PM
Then let it rotate. Keep several in rotation like I said. You're never going to to get rid of the funkilling hordes, so just let them have their map win quickly and move on.
Faster rotation would spew more perk points which might draw better numbers of those in search of them...
I am for micro maps with air starts :joystick:
Eagler
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Busher on June 17, 2025, 05:29:06 PM
It would be fun with 15 players per side, but the 15 v 3 v 2 AM horde would win it in 20 minutes.
Got to wonder what type of person enjoys being part if the 15.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: DmonSlyr on June 17, 2025, 06:35:59 PM
Smaller maps with more condensed action is the answer. It would atleast give the impression of battles on the map rather spread out singles or hoards with one hoard during off hours. Smaller maps show the action better on the map and make it seem like there's stuff going. Even though it may get rolled faster, its not really that big of deal. Maps like Oceana are just too large and thus don't provide appropriate battles during off hours.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Dadtallica on June 17, 2025, 07:00:06 PM
If action on the rook side is low or in horde mode I will often fly to the Bish/Nit front with the biggest bar and mix it up. As long as it’s not more than five sectors or so I will just gas up a TA152 or a P47M and go do something to 15 minutes. I usually end up about 22K on the edge of the fight. I try to only go after the attackers but it’s not always how it goes.
It’s a lot of fun I highly recommend it… I’ve yet to make it back and will do it again!
This is more a question for our cartographers, but perhaps they can design maps that have more three country opportunities. I know many of them do but they don’t always get three sided action. The NDIsles middle is a good example of where it happens a lot. Until of course, when country takes them all so maybe we could make more bases that cannot be captured in three side areas. Perhaps more huge bases that are harder to take. I’m not sure if the current maps could be adjusted.
Do all countries bases always have to start in a group? Using the North America Map could a country have starting fields around Florida and pockets near Oregon?
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Meatwad on June 17, 2025, 07:09:11 PM
Instead of a tank town, have an fighter town in the middle. Surrounded by 40K mountains so nobody can run. The 3 bases there are uncapturable and will have a 15K air spawn in the middle of fighter town
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Dadtallica on June 17, 2025, 09:50:15 PM
I might have spoke it into the universe but the fights at P7 and the surrounding fields on the Baltic map was pretty fun tonight with all three countries mixing it up. Rooks managed to steal the port at some point and the DWeeds even did a a fly by!
Baltic is my #1 favorite all time map btw. ND is #2. Love the old schools.
More three sided fights!
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Animl-AW on June 17, 2025, 09:53:01 PM
I might have spoke it into the universe but the fights at P7 and the surrounding fields on the Baltic map was pretty fun tonight with all three countries mixing it up. Rooks even too the port at some point and the Dweeds even did a a fly by!
Baltic is my #1 favorite all time map btw. ND is #2. Love the old schools.
Bish held up pretty good at V11, until their horde showed up....but ya, if you couldn't find action you were flying via braille.
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: Mayhem on June 19, 2025, 01:28:06 PM