Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Ripsnort on September 18, 2000, 10:28:00 AM

Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Ripsnort on September 18, 2000, 10:28:00 AM
I personally dislike it, as I find it difficult to track the bogie once its disappears over the nose (my fault, I fly the hog alot, and the big nose don't help matters)...however, I've tried turning enemy icons off once I've ID'd them, and it seems to help alittle, I think it has to do with 'tracking the icon', ie. once the icon disappears, your 'reference system' of visual contact is disrupted, and the eyes are  fooled, thinking the bogie  graphics of the plane have disappeared, which they have, under your nose...confusing? hehe, anyway, I, for one, dislike disappearing icons...

Opinions? Rants?
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Zigrat on September 18, 2000, 10:32:00 AM
I like it. It lets you be more sneaky, and in a fight i often times try to manouver myself to somewhere where the bandit may loose sight of me IE l9ow 3 o clock under the wing. This much better than 1.03. in IMHO.
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: leonid on September 18, 2000, 10:33:00 AM
like it
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Udie on September 18, 2000, 10:50:00 AM
 I didn't like it at first, it's very disorienting to me, but after a week I am starting to like it. It's forcing me to watch the plane and not the icon. AND I'm noticing that I'm getting alot more bounces, as well as being bounced alot more.


Udie
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: miko2d on September 18, 2000, 10:58:00 AM
 E tu, rip?

 The icon should be put under the plane, not over it - at least for enemy planes. Then it would disappear first. Then there would not need to be a feature of "disappearing" icons.
 At the same time I am sure HTC guys have considered that version already and they usually know what they are doing.
 I just wish I knew their reasons.
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: popeye on September 18, 2000, 11:29:00 AM
I like the concept, but it still needs work.  Icons disappear even though the plane is still visible.  I just noticed it while driving an M-16 (remember those?).  The icon would disappear whenever the plane was below the gun shield -- even though I could see the plane.  I've seen this in other situations as well.

Also, as someone pointed out, canopy frames probably shouldn't cause the icon to blank out, since the RL pilot could just move his head an inch or two to see around the frame.

popeye
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: funked on September 18, 2000, 11:36:00 AM
I would like it if it worked as advertised.  Currently I'm losing icons on planes that I can see clearly.

The main thing I like about the system is that it makes it impossible to aim at a bandit who is under your nose.  In the past you could see part of his icon, and adjust your lead on him accordingly.  Which was complete BS.
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Fury on September 18, 2000, 11:38:00 AM
Love it.  If you can't see the plane (whether behind hills, buildings, or parts of the plane) then why see the icon?

I think it's a great addition, and a step in the right direction regarding icons.

imho,
Fury
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Ripsnort on September 18, 2000, 11:41:00 AM
 
Quote
Originally posted by funked:
I would like it if it worked as advertised.  Currently I'm losing icons on planes that I can see clearly.

You put the words in text better than I can!  This is my point...

Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: fabrika6 on September 18, 2000, 11:48:00 AM
I like it !
And I like also 6 ml range limitation
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Vermillion on September 18, 2000, 11:50:00 AM
I think there are a few bugs (relatively minor) with it , but overall I think its great.

Now you can use a classic BnZ low six attack very effectively.  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

------------------
Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: AKDejaVu on September 18, 2000, 11:51:00 AM
I'd like it more if it didn't cause the planes to completely disappear too.  Especially when they go below the nose.  The plane doesn't reappear until the next packet update.

AKDejaVu
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Minotaur on September 18, 2000, 12:03:00 PM
Disorientating when I first tried it.  Now I like it.

------------------
Mino
The Wrecking Crew

"Who's next?"
Naso
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Westy on September 18, 2000, 12:18:00 PM
 I can't really say, definatively, that I like or dislike it. I do feel it's much more challenging and the right way to go. And for that reason alone I like it. But many are having graphics problems with this feature and hence AH is not enjoyable for them. For that reason I dislike it.
 Maybe HTC can work with it a bit more resolve some of these issues folks are reporting. IMO, anything that cuts down on the icon being visible and mimicking RL more, is good.

  -Westy
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Soda on September 18, 2000, 12:22:00 PM
I wish it only disappeared when it was in a position where you couldn't just move your head slightly to get the icon back, eg.  when it vanishes behind a framerail on the canopy.  Having it vanish below the nose or behind a wing is great though I'm sure some of us didn't really understand how much we relied on it to make crossing shots.

Even slightly below the nose you might be able to make out the plane if you craned your neck a bit as you could in real life.  Overall though, it makes things a lot different.. picking up cons low on you is much tougher.

Soda
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Hangtime on September 18, 2000, 12:22:00 PM
Good and bad.

Good that icon ranges are reduced to d6.. thats wonderful.

Bad that canopy frames and cowl parts 'snap' off the icon even when i can still see the plane.. this flickering combined with the much longer gunnery lead and the gawdamned micro-warping has put my close in SA and gunnery right in the crapper.

Hang
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Citabria on September 18, 2000, 12:34:00 PM
I love it  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)

no more fighting against icons... gotta watch the plane suckers  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)


the m16 and ostwinds are only ones i found still have icons disapearing when plane is visible and I have flown every plane in the set since 1.04 came out
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Pongo on September 18, 2000, 02:35:00 PM
Starting to really like it. Lots more bounces..
Like others I think it has some wrinkles, but the game is more fun for me now. The plane does seem to disapear sometimes along with the icon. And sometimes the plane is right at my 12 high and I cant see icon.
The patch really improved it though..
I think we are ready for a red dot over the enemy ac at 1k though..
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Nash on September 18, 2000, 02:44:00 PM
I wont comment on any of these in particular as it seems some people are finding bugs that I haven't encountered.

But....

These icons now in combination with a whole host of other things in this version have had the effect of creating some of the best fights I've gotten into since.... well... a long time. More challenging to aim, easier to evade, greater E retention, less chance of getting spotted and having your fight busted up by other planes = longer more interesting engagements.

Fun fun fun.   (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)


Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Rojo on September 18, 2000, 02:47:00 PM
Generally for it.  As noted, should be a little leeway given when target is behind canopy frame or just below edge of nose or wing.  Otherwise, I like this new feature.

------------------
Sabre, a.k.a. Rojo
(S-2, The Buccaneers)
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Renfield on September 18, 2000, 04:27:00 PM
I like 'em! I also like the shorter range - makes approaching a furball a little more like a first date  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)

Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: danish on September 18, 2000, 04:28:00 PM
Like it (frustrated yes...).Great feature really.
For gunnery practice Id like Icons off also offline.

danish
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: rust on September 18, 2000, 04:30:00 PM
I love it.  I do think it would work better if the icons were under the planes, though.

------------------
RUST
 (http://home.earthlink.net/~rocketace/_uimages/rustsbucketp38small.jpg)


[This message has been edited by rust (edited 09-18-2000).]
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: HABICHT on September 18, 2000, 04:35:00 PM
like it
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: AKSeaWulfe on September 18, 2000, 05:09:00 PM
Adapated to my new environment, love everything in 1.04. (Don't use CT or Padlock tho....)
-SW
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Skorpyon on September 18, 2000, 07:39:00 PM
I like the concept, definitely... balances realism with game play.  But the twitchiness of the icon constantly switching back and forth is quite annoying, and distracting.  I had never thought about the icons under the plane thing, but it sounds excellent to me.  As far as losing the plane behind a canopy crossmember or the cowl, etc., ...isn't that what happened in real life?  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)  That's why I like the idea of the icon disappearing, but as I said already, the "twitchiness" of it is very distracting.  Keep up the good work HTC.. I'm gonna have to hire a shrink to help me with my addiction.. hey, waitaminnnit... I don't have a problem.. I fly, I get shot, I die....... no problem.

------------------
Skorpyon
~900th Bloody Jaguars~
"Feel the Sting......"
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Spoons - SimHQ on September 18, 2000, 08:07:00 PM
Like the new distance much better.

Love the icons, BUT I get easily distracted by their "jumpiness" around the canopy braces.  I'd just as soon not have them occur in that region.  But everywhere else,  I like them.



------------------
John Sponauer
Senior Editor, SimHQ.com
jsponauer@simhq.com
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: gatt on September 19, 2000, 01:26:00 AM
I like the idea. Ok for icons disappearing under your nose when you pull for deflection shots. Ok for icons disappearing behind cockpit frames.

BUT, now icons disappear even if the a/c is still visible. Sometimes the delay is very annoying. Moreover icons warp after reappearing (usually when at less than 250yds). No, I dont like it (yet)  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

[This message has been edited by gatt (edited 09-19-2000).]
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Duckwing6 on September 19, 2000, 03:16:00 AM
I think it's necessary to make 'em dissapear .. it threw my SA down the drain in conjunctin with the 6k ID icon range now ..

However i think they should only disapear behind major structure .. as in RL you got 2 eyes and beasically would see "thru" a canopy strut with the one eye taht still has sight leading ..

DW6
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: -lynx- on September 19, 2000, 06:47:00 AM
Too jumpy, create too much distraction for me now. Rust is right - put the icons under the plane, it would help alot.

------------------
lynx
13 Sqn RAF
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Westy on September 19, 2000, 08:18:00 AM
 If I recall correctly the icon under the plane idea was nixxed many moons ago as just plain undoable with the AH programming. I suspect part of the reason may be because when the aircraft is on the ground or just above it that the icon cannot go any lower than greound level. In other words it can't disappear and it can't get lower than ground zero. Then again that's only a possible reason and I'm just guessing. No onefrom HTC ever said why it was undoable, just that it was.

  -Westy
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Mighty1 on September 19, 2000, 08:39:00 AM
Even If it worked right I think I would still hate it.

I would rather have no icons at all than 1 that flickers on and off.

------------------
Mighty1
The New Baby Harp Seals
"Come try to club THIS Seal"
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Ice on September 19, 2000, 08:58:00 AM
I like it for the sneaky reasons

Dislike it for the canopy frames causing the light show.

Overall...happy our product gets the level of attention from HTC...if forced, I'll get used to it (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)

I'm Out!
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: sourkraut on September 19, 2000, 04:22:00 PM
Must admit that I hate it. (Am I the only one?) This has really hurt the lessor skilled pilots such as I - I just can't maintain SA at all. Trying to get guns AND find that contact that is somewhere behind/ above you was almost do-able, but now it is very difficult for me. I have been continually jumped from behind even though I spend most of my time looking aft.

Even though the viewing system for AH is much better than other sims (so I have been told), it still is limited to 8 views on  each plane. Seems that the pilot would be able to stretch his neck a  little to see around that canopy strut.

The disappearing icon thingie is the first thing that I have actually whined about (on-line) to my squaddies - and the first time I have ever logged due to frustration.

Don't know how newbies will ever cope with this.

Besides that the icons popping in and out because of the gun sight edges (in P51) is really silly.

Sour

------------------
Sour
JG-2 Richthofen (http://Ripsnort60.tripod.com/JG2inquirer.html)

"Hey - someone has to be the target...."

(http://saintaw.tripod.com/sour.jpg)
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: edog on September 19, 2000, 04:27:00 PM
 
Quote
These icons now in combination with a whole host of other things in this version have had the effect of creating some of the best fights I've gotten into since.... well... a long time.

Awww, go on, Nash - say it.  It won't kill ya  (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/wink.gif)

edog
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: TBone on September 19, 2000, 05:24:00 PM
I have both comment and question on the icon issue and would be interested in hearing what you guys think:

I generally like the shorter distance to icon appearance, although I have seen a bogie occasionally disappear momentarily.  I have often wondered if that disappearance was not a problem not so much with the icon as with the scale the planes are rendered at distance.  

Certainly larger scale would be essential to allow earlier ID if the game was an allies v. axis.  But with the structure of a mix of planes, there must be some type of ID assist, which is currently being done by color coded alphanumeric icons. Has eliminating the alphanumeric icon in favor of a only a color ID been considered?  And how about coupling that with a slight increase on the aircraft scale?  
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: sourkraut on September 19, 2000, 08:20:00 PM
Another comment/question on this -

Tried to work on this new SA problem offline. The drone icons do not disappear when obscured. Is there an arena setting for this?

Sour
Title: Do you like, or dislike the 'Disappearing Icons' feature?
Post by: Maverick on September 19, 2000, 09:17:00 PM
I dislike  it. I do like the reduced icon range.

Mav