I think Hitech wants to create a situation where the game is centered around COMBAT.
I think Hitech defines "combat" as the attack of bases with an equal defense.
This is called a "doctrine".
In reality, every country in history has adopted a "war doctrine" since time immoral.
This game; this virtual reality we spend many hours in is no different. Within this construct of virtual reality there is a "doctrine" that guides the whole event.
In the most basic form the doctrine states that combat is the primary goal.
In the simplest terms...if your red your dead.
The problem arises when the doctrine is ignored. For whatever reason, the chess pieces shun combat in favor of other rewards such as score, social interaction or simple mindless game play without interuption.
But, if a well defined doctrine is set in place then victory can be defined within the Aces High construct. I believe this is the "holy grale" that HiTech is searching for. I am not sure that this is possible. However, I do believe HiTech is working extremely hard to succeed at this goal.
There have been many, many suggestions on how to improve the Aces High Doctrine. These suggestion have all centered around how to create combat in one form or another. But, these suggestions have only been minor, favoring one specific component of the doctrine of combat.
When any person chooses to pay and play this game I think it is reasonable to assume they expect to engage in combat. The simple doctrine of "combat" sounds simple but as everyone knows this seemingly simple concept becomes quite complicated.
If I am correct, the game is centered around a strategic goal of capturing enough bases to "win" the map. Thus we have a map reset. There is a concrete victory...something one can strive for...a reason to have COMBAT.
It is my opinion that as the game exists now the doctrine even in its simplest form can not be realized. The "soldiers" simply can not see any reward for their efforts.
In order for the simple doctrine of "combat" to happen the map must be set such that there is reward in a timely mannor..not weeks but days.
If it was possible to achieve victory over a shorter period of time this would put reward in perspective. As it is now there is no reward because it is impossible to achieve victory in any players time frame. There is just an endless, never ending scenario where no reward can be achieved. Only score is measured. No country can claim victory.
The scale of the war is just to big. There are not enough players to create enough critical mass for measurable victory in the minds of each individual player. It is just a mindless, never ending, black hole.
This, I believe is the result of the one thing that creates combat to begin with; Maps.
HiTech has created a most excellent game...it is perfect in almost every way. The only reason there is no holy grale is because the maps are not part of the doctrine.
