Here is a copy of my post on the AGW for those who do not read it. As you've noticed, it is posted in the Off-topic. It is an invitation for discussion, not a flame war.
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Guys,
While I never had a chance to engage in the chute shooting practice, I fail to see what is the problem with that. Could the CS opponents post your reasons not to do that.
It is possible to remove CS from the game by giving the user control over the chute opening (like in AH) or making it invulnerable, etc. While I would not care much if it were done, I do not believe it warrants any efforts on the programmers part with so many other features not implemented.
I will present the most common arguments for not doing anything about it so that you could disprove them.
1. The game allows chute shooting which could be easily disabled (invulnerable shootes). Despite many witch hunts the game developers did not make changes or issued a statement to that effect.
2. A player may agree on some common course of action with his "countrymen" and take upon himself an obligation to behave in certain manner beyong the game restrictions (cover 6, attack assigned targets). But there is no obligation whatsoever toward the "enemy" players.
3. Certain behavior exploiting the game loopholes may affect the game-play for others: ack-starring, augering instead of RTB, taking off while vulched, attacking with no consideration of survival, barrel-melting MG bursts. Chute shooting does none of that - if anything, it quickens the "enemy" replaning and negatively affects the shooters energy and ammo.
4. If a bailed pilot is not worried about his score/streak, then he has no reason to complain about being "killed". If he does, then that is a reason to do it. For people competing for score part of the game is increasing his score and reducing his opponent's score.
5. Obligation to historical realism. You may be trying to play as close to the real as possible, but the other player is not obligated to do so, especially in the free arena (as opposed to the special event).
6. Role-playing and historical realism. Chute shooting was quite common in many theaters of WWII. You may be role-playing a pilot of a force that did not practice it, but your opponent may pretend he was russian, pole, japanese, american or any other force that dit it.
Besides, the impression you may have made from books and movies may not be a real thing.
7. Real Life Morality. The guy engaging in CSing is really sitting in his chair and using his joystick to manipulate a cone-shaped bunch of pixels on his screen into the center of a cross-like pattern in the middle of the screen. He is not endangering anyone's life, health or property. He is not "gaming the game" (see no 3.) by performing unrealistic maneuvers.
The guy he shot will not be removed from the war, but will replane sooner, unlike the RL. So the the accusations of "cowardly" behavior is groundless. Quite the opposite, the victim may be pissed off and come hunt you, or even better, start a witch hunt in the forum. That takes some bravery.
There are no moral considerations involved for people who remember they are playing a game. If your imagination runs wild that is not a reason to expect the same behavior from others.
8. Real life character. The guy engaging in CSing may be playing a ruthless killer and not really enjoy real killing in the least. Then there is no reason to worry about his soul.
On the other hand he may be a mad homicidal psycho. Then it is much better for the society if he discharges his urges through harmless virtual choote shooting. Next time you see him next to you in the bus, he will be happy and content, not spraying real bullets. Even if you still object to his behavior in the game, it would not be wise calling him a dweeb and coward on this board...
9. Gaming effort. The guy shootong down your chute and spoiling your score/streak may not have earned it in your opinion. Well, in real life you would try to do your killing with minimal risk and effort too.
After all, there is no problem when someone shoots a damaged or ditching or outnumbered plane or performs a sneak attack. There is always a risk. At least we do not have engine failures or birds and "deaths" are virtual in any case.
Please, conduct an orderly discussion, no name calling.
miko
