Originally posted by SWulfe:
Jochen, you have some glaring errors in your post.
First of all, it isn't the server having problems with 460 people. Unlike WWIIOl, where they were so inept that for the first several weeks the game was being bought in stores- they still hadn't linked up the servers, nor were they running above 30% capacity. This was due to poor server setup and poor server management. Aces High is running into problems with bandwidth which is slightly more expensive than a server.
Not quite - you also have some serious errors in your post. The hosting facility CRS used went tango uniform the week before boxes hit shelves. They had to move all their 70+ servers to a new provider the very week of launch. This, of course, would be a challenge for any company - especially one launching a game in the poor shape of WW2OL.
Of course - there WERE other major problems that were solely the Rats fault, and the server architecture was untried. But you downplay the technical issues way too much. Also, I think it's fair to say WW2OL's technical requirements on bandwidth and servers eclipse AH's, so it's a bit of an unfair comparison. WW2OL is able to get 1000+ in one server consistently in a far larger world, and pushes a lot more data than AH.
I got no problem outlining the bad decisions and poor management of WW2OL - there's plenty of fodder there to choose from. But I think you should be fair, and not overplay the negatives just cause you don't like the game or the company.
Originally posted by SWulfe:
"WWIIOL has it's problems of course. But if you think about the complexity and scale of that sim, is it any wonder?"
WWIIOl itself IS the problem. I would agree with you about complexity and scale, *IF*, 30% of what's advertised on the box was in the game or working. But considering only the basics of the basics of the game (yes, I intentionally said the basics of the basics) are implemented, then complexity and scale went right out the window. Currently it's just a tank simulator, half-assed flight something (not a simulator) and a poor first person shooter. The game barely works, and when it does- you see just exactly how little of it is actually present.
-SW
Bring out the pom-poms, but you're going way overboard, SW. The game works quite well now for many people (albeit on systems well above the box specs), and there's far more than 30% of the box features in game. It's a complete game, although the gameplay is distinctly different than any MMP flight sim before it. And yes, there's still LOTS of tweaking to be done, and features to add, but plenty of folks I know can login and have fun. Including me, although I've been really diverted by IL2 and GPL lately. In short, 1.5 at least resembles the game promised on the box closely enough that review sites are giving it a second look.
Keep in mind, SIMHQ gave the runner-up award for MMPG to WW2OL, right behind AH. And they continue to draw in 1000+ players routinely. So - your viewpoiunt is not shared by many, including a reputable source like SimHQ.
I see posts like this, and "MG" comes to mind, although no one here is nearly as caustic as he. MG won't like AH - EVER. I don't care what groundbreaking features HT puts in; he'll still find problems, point to old issues, and generally hate the sim. He simply has a pathological hate for AH and HTC. I think there's a few people here who have that same pathological hate for WW2OL, and refuse to see or acknowledge ANY positives about the sim, or give it ANY credit for attempting something on such a scale.
The trial is a good idea, though late. Give it a shot with an open mind, and you may just have a bit of fun.
Alas. Someone go ahead and give me my pom-poms now, since I'm obviously nothing more than a fanboi.
Oh - PS: Congrats to HTC. Well-deserved awards, from all those places. More and more folks I know are heading this way.
[ 01-08-2002: Message edited by: Spitboy ]
