Aces High Bulletin Board

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
I suspect that most of us who auto-change were never loyal to one of the countries in the first place.

- oldman

 :cheers:



Could someone explain the reason for having fanatical loyalism to a chess piece that you were randomly assigned to?  :headscratch:
Title: Re: Auto-country swap is slowly hurting what is left of the game.
Post by: hazmatt on June 01, 2025, 06:29:19 PM
:cheers:



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
:cheers:



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
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)

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.