Aces High 3 (Theoretically)

[james]

Posts like the above do a great service to the community, it lets us know who the idiots amongst us are.


ack-ack

Please don't take my post as a bash. I believe we would get our ideas looked at in a better light if we simply e-mailed HTC is all. Alot of us don't know what goes into modelling or coding things into this game. It makes it hard to put things into an idea as well when there's people here that shoot good ideas down at the first glance. They've been at this for over 10 years. I'm thinking by now they have things on a path that is good for gameplay as well as for the overall health of the game. If they threw all of these ideas into the game at the same time it would be hard to find the problem with gameplay when it was finished.  The latest graphics update is good compared to what we had. Could they get better in an environment with so many people on at the same time? Doubt it. Do you think they should revamp the entire game for better graphics when we are already here and already having fun with it? I'm sure there's been ideas they've used from here, but really they have to take it slow. The list keeps growing. Noone said anything about customer service being bad. I simply see this part of the forum as a place for the ideas to come but get shot down alot. That's really all I meant by my post fellas. I would still like to see them upgrade what they have as far as their hardware before pushing better software. That way the actual game comes out with better graphics that run smooth, it might mean some of the wishes in here can be put to code faster no?

[FLS]

James I believe every one of your points is incorrect. I don't think you understand how HTC works, how the game works, or how this forum works.   

[james]

Well, I didn't mean anything said in a bad way. To keep things on track here in the wishlist forum I will wish for an official flameproof AHII flight suit.  


They've been at it for over 10 years and we can't even get graphics that rival an 80's spy hunter game.
Reason I say this is because yeah they've been at this for over 10 years and there's simply so many people on at the same time. The server hardware needed to push anything like say as an example, Wings Of Prey
graphics would be almost impossible. They would almost have to scrap everything and create a new game engine. Stand alone games can get away with that, MMO environment it seems the game would bog, no?
 
You guys think they'll revamp an entire game to even implement one of these wishlist items?
Maybe a plane here or some pushing of graphics there.  Look at the last update, the outcry of those along the low end pc user was almost deafening. They must have been going out of their minds making it so that the most people could benefit from the new graphics. Just the amount of beer needed at the end of the day would have probably filled 2 kegs. Maybe a sticky of some sorts of things in the wishlist top of what they can or can't do might help? Well, that's just a thought.

This part of the forum is to humor us.
From what i've seen they put out the polls to where more people could have some input. We put out so many ideas daily in here. E-mails seem the better way to go for an idea to be better presented.  Their customer service is still unmatched that is without a doubt. I hadn't said different. Seems things might have gotten taken the wrong way.

They'll do what they can with a program they made.
Does this sound bad to you or something? I'd do the same thing.

Maybe if they update their servers before anything so the game can handle higher graphics or more stuff in the game.
Some wish for more stuff like planes, some for more tanks. I wish for them to get the latest technology to better support directx or anything to keep the newer joysticks supported. Keep things running smooth. Didn't say they are rough.

Until then we will be stuck with what we got and a wishlist that just keeps growing lol.
Yeah, until they can push crazy graphics and find some gemstone of hardware that can track 1000's more items smoothly,
we have what we have here. Yeah the wishlist will keep growing.

Really, i'm NOT bashing on HTC. Do you guys take everything written in here and just pick at it until you find a way to make it a negative?

I'm off to go get a better shovel. 

[Krusty]

If James had been here at all during any of those "10 years" he'd have noticed so many changes he'd not dare utter the comments he made.

Here are some from the early 2000s (I think):





These are "only" from 2004...





Note the second one's been edited/filtered for better looks, but you get an idea of what the terrain looked like.

Now look at this, HTC releasing a clip of the "new" self-shadows and terrain/water system (March 2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UR9MvyoBig
[EDIT: Make sure to watch it in high quality]

Please tell me you don't think the video in that clip rivals 80's video games quality.

[FLS]

James repeating yourself doesn't make you any less incorrect. You still don't know what you're talking about. I say this to help you. You are posting clueless nonsense.

[Kweassa]

AH3... hmm... maybe it should look something like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQbCIT-aMnY&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kmdwyEZ3ak&feature=player_embedded

[AKDogg]

In order to produce true 3D positional sounds, like we have now, you have to start with a mono source.  Stereo sounds cannot be used in 3D positioning of sounds.

Yes u can use stereo sounds.  FSX uses stereo sounds for all internal sounds (in cockpit).  When u go outside your plane or have other planes around ya, they are in mono (3d positioning).  FSX uses multiple files for creating the sounds that make it sound so much more realistic just for the engine alone.  They use 4 different engine sound files in stereo for 4 levels of RPM (idle, low rpm, mid rpm and full rpm).  They also use 4 sound files for prop wash sounds.  There is also a sound file for mechanical engine sounds.  All of these combined make the plane sound so real.  How they blend it all together, that I not sure of.  The external sounds are the same but in mono and also have a x in front of the name of the file.

[zack1234]

not with the B-26 in a B-29. seriously I'm not that dumb
if you wanna look him up I don't know his first name but his last name is hunter his rank is Lt. Colonel

I had a Airfix model of a Short Sterling as a kid 

[zack1234]

If James had been here at all during any of those "10 years" he'd have noticed so many changes he'd not dare utter the comments he made.

Here are some from the early 2000s (I think):

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

These are "only" from 2004...

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Note the second one's been edited/filtered for better looks, but you get an idea of what the terrain looked like.

Now look at this, HTC releasing a clip of the "new" self-shadows and terrain/water system (March 2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UR9MvyoBig
[EDIT: Make sure to watch it in high quality]

Please tell me you don't think the video in that clip rivals 80's video games quality.

[Vinkman]

In order to produce true 3D positional sounds, like we have now, you have to start with a mono source.  Stereo sounds cannot be used in 3D positioning of sounds.

skuzzy. This means the sounds are point sources in the game so as I turn my head, The sound moves from left to right ear, correct? so the sound sources are 3D but it is represented by 2 output speakers. This works very good, especially for headphones. Any chance that 5.1 surround will be supported? I'm guessing you may have already evaluated the effect. Is it worth it? Meaning, since I'm always turning my head anyway, the ability to pinpoint direction of sounds without turning my head may have limitted positive impact on game experience.

[Skuzzy]

Yes u can use stereo sounds.  FSX uses stereo sounds for all internal sounds (in cockpit).  When u go outside your plane or have other planes around ya, they are in mono (3d positioning).  FSX uses multiple files for creating the sounds that make it sound so much more realistic just for the engine alone.  They use 4 different engine sound files in stereo for 4 levels of RPM (idle, low rpm, mid rpm and full rpm).  They also use 4 sound files for prop wash sounds.  There is also a sound file for mechanical engine sounds.  All of these combined make the plane sound so real.  How they blend it all together, that I not sure of.  The external sounds are the same but in mono and also have a x in front of the name of the file.

You do not have to use stereo sounds to get left/right separation.  If you had multiple sound sources of completely different sounds, there still is nothing to be gained as each mono sound can be played simultaneously and placed in 3D space wherever it would be appropriate.  This is how humans actually hear sounds.

Stereo imaging is an artifical method to increase the width of the sound stage.  It is not how people actually hear sound.

We could throw in more elaborate sound files, but that would substantially increase the download size of the game, which is a real cost of doing business for us.  Then we would also risk not being able to run on as many computer as we do.  Given the fact OEM's ship the cheapest sound chip they can in thier computer, we would be foolish to suffer the performance hit it would cause by loading up gigabytes of sound files into the game.

Let the box guys go nuts with that one.

skuzzy. This means the sounds are point sources in the game so as I turn my head, The sound moves from left to right ear, correct? so the sound sources are 3D but it is represented by 2 output speakers. This works very good, especially for headphones. Any chance that 5.1 surround will be supported? I'm guessing you may have already evaluated the effect. Is it worth it? Meaning, since I'm always turning my head anyway, the ability to pinpoint direction of sounds without turning my head may have limitted positive impact on game experience.

We place sound in 3D space far better than any Dolby 5.1 surround sound system could.  If you have a 5.1 speaker setup, and set your computer sound card to use the 5.1 speaker setup, the sounds will emanate from all the speakers.  The sound positioning becomes far more realistic then.

[maddafinga]

skuzzy. This means the sounds are point sources in the game so as I turn my head, The sound moves from left to right ear, correct? so the sound sources are 3D but it is represented by 2 output speakers. This works very good, especially for headphones. Any chance that 5.1 surround will be supported? I'm guessing you may have already evaluated the effect. Is it worth it? Meaning, since I'm always turning my head anyway, the ability to pinpoint direction of sounds without turning my head may have limitted positive impact on game experience.

I have a 5.1 headset and I can hear where planes around me are already.  It's really great when you're in a tight scissoring fight or trying to get an overshoot.  You can hear where the guy is with no problems at all.  


Also, Vinkman, just read your sig.  I don't have enough skills with words to describe to you my deep hatred of that book.  I got a chuckle when I read your sig there because I occasionally will go on a Lewis Black type rant about that book, so seeing that relatively obscure ref to it got a laugh.  So, Thank you?

[Vinkman]

We place sound in 3D space far better than any Dolby 5.1 surround sound system could.  If you have a 5.1 speaker setup, and set your computer sound card to use the 5.1 speaker setup, the sounds will emanate from all the speakers.  The sound positioning becomes far more realistic then.

Thanks Skuzzy I will try it again. At one point I tried to enable 5.1 from the sound card but it didn't work. I assumed the game didn;t support it, but you are saying to does, so I will have another go at it.

[Vinkman]

Also, Vinkman, just read your sig.  I don't have enough skills with words to describe to you my deep hatred of that book.  I got a chuckle when I read your sig there because I occasionally will go on a Lewis Black type rant about that book, so seeing that relatively obscure ref to it got a laugh.  So, Thank you?

No worries. I'm open for chat about it, if you'd like. Drop me note so as not to clog the boards. Meanwhile I'll brush up on Lewis Black 

[Shamrock]

well here is wishing;   more special effects 

better bomb craters, fires, rocket explosions,   vapor trails, float planes, submarines,   all cockpits brought up to standard. 

many more non american rides soviet / japanese etc.  few more vehicles, bombers  b29's  ,

private arenas for subscribers. 

More hosted events, every week koth,  squadron events / duels.

Spitfires with more bombs and optional wing types.
 

i could go on....

im hoping vapor trails are contrails