Icon Ranges

[ScottyK]

 I am curious as to how gameplay would be affected if icons were to not have the ranges listed 5k,3.5k 1000,400, 200 etc.........but only show  the opposing country and plane type under 6k.

[Karnak]

I am curious as to how gameplay would be affected if icons were to not have the ranges listed 5k,3.5k 1000,400, 200 etc.........but only show  the opposing country and plane type under 6k.

You'd spend more time chasing aircraft and not being able to tell if you were catching them or not.  Probably be better for runners.

[JOACH1M]

You'd spend more time chasing aircraft and not being able to tell if you were catching them or not.  Probably be better for runners.

This

[SmokinLoon]

I'd like to see a reduction in icon range from 6000 yards to 4000 yards.  Then, I'd like to see a simple + or - to tell if they are coming or going.  Lastly, I'd like to see only the generic country ID icon from the 4000 yard mark to the 1500 or even 1000 yard mark and then show the aircraft model.  The human eye is not going to be able to tell the difference between a 109 and a Spitfire from 6000 yards out, or even 2000 yards out.  At that range, the human eye may be able to tell how many engines it has, but not the specific model.  B17 or B24?  190 or P47?  F4U or F6F?

[Rino]

     You do know you can differentiate shapes at 6000 yards.  I worked on a flightline for over 20 years
amd was often able to ID aircraft types miles away from the field.  In addition, my eyesight is nothing
to brag about.

[kvuo75]

I'd like to see a reduction in icon range from 6000 yards to 4000 yards.  Then, I'd like to see a simple + or - to tell if they are coming or going.  Lastly, I'd like to see only the generic country ID icon from the 4000 yard mark to the 1500 or even 1000 yard mark and then show the aircraft model.  The human eye is not going to be able to tell the difference between a 109 and a Spitfire from 6000 yards out, or even 2000 yards out.  At that range, the human eye may be able to tell how many engines it has, but not the specific model.  B17 or B24?  190 or P47?  F4U or F6F?

6000 yds is only 3.4 miles. I've been pointed out traffic by ATC in real life at 4 miles on collision course outside of a class D about 1500msl, and I saw him him quite easily (another c172), spotted even before my instructor. bigger planes are even easier to ID at that range. anyone who couldn't tell difference between B17 and B24 at 3.5 miles needs more practice.

 

[Karnak]

The human eye is not going to be able to tell the difference between a 109 and a Spitfire from 6000 yards out, or even 2000 yards out.  At that range, the human eye may be able to tell how many engines it has, but not the specific model.  B17 or B24?  190 or P47?  F4U or F6F?

Depends on the angle I am looking at the Spitfire or Bf109 from.  Behind or from the front, you're right.  Sides, top or bottom, easy to tell.  B-17 and B-24 would be easy from any angle at 2000 yards.

[321BAR]

I am running 1024 textures with the proper resolution that my monitor calls for and I cannot tell a difference in planes from 6k and from 3-5k distinguishing a gv from a tree is insanely difficult unless the vehicle is moving or firing. So which setting am I missing then.

Not that I care about attack scores but this statement always irritates me.

not that hard to tell. just zoom in close, u see a glint of sun, you know its aluminum with no paint. this means american aircraft. then start looking for differences in the profile, if you can see a larger profile it could be a P38. soon youll be able to see the twin booms and you know its a 38 model before you get to 6K. same with 109s. Ta152s long wing is very noticable also. 190s and 109s are harder to tell apart until closer from that range. but if it has a paintjob or a black silouette it isnt a late war american. in scenarios this helps to know FoF etc. just study it for a bit and if you got good eyes or young eyes you'll most likely be able to tell planes apart out to 10K. granted this takes alot of focus and in a heated fight you dont want to take the time to do this

[Oldman731]

I am curious as to how gameplay would be affected if icons were to not have the ranges listed 5k,3.5k 1000,400, 200 etc.........but only show  the opposing country and plane type under 6k.

Fly in one of the special events that features no enemy icons, or when they occasionally run a no-icons week in AvA.  The principle result is that you don't begin shooting at the fantasy ranges available when the distance is calculated for you.  Instead you hold your fire until you're much closer, as was true in real life. 

It's fairly easy to tell whether the enemy plane is getting closer or farther away.

- oldman

[LCADolby]

I'd like to see a reduction in icon range from 6000 yards to 4000 yards.  Then, I'd like to see a simple + or - to tell if they are coming or going.  Lastly, I'd like to see only the generic country ID icon from the 4000 yard mark to the 1500 or even 1000 yard mark and then show the aircraft model.  The human eye is not going to be able to tell the difference between a 109 and a Spitfire from 6000 yards out, or even 2000 yards out.  At that range, the human eye may be able to tell how many engines it has, but not the specific model.  B17 or B24?  190 or P47?  F4U or F6F?

What's the resolution of the human eye? My PC can only manage 1680x1050.

[Karnak]

Fly in one of the special events that features no enemy icons, or when they occasionally run a no-icons week in AvA.  The principle result is that you don't begin shooting at the fantasy ranges available when the distance is calculated for you.  Instead you hold your fire until you're much closer, as was true in real life.  

It's fairly easy to tell whether the enemy plane is getting closer or farther away.

- oldman

You can only tell that at shorter ranges, and that range is highly dependent on what resolution the game is being displayed at.

For what it is worth, I am far more interesting in a situation where we keep our existing icons between 6000 and 1500 or 1000 yards and just have a Rook, Bishop or Knight icon, colored appropriately, at shorter ranges where you can get some visual feedback on your closure rate and visual data on the aircraft type.

[Karnak]

not that hard to tell. just zoom in close, u see a glint of sun, you know its aluminum with no paint. this means american aircraft. then start looking for differences in the profile, if you can see a larger profile it could be a P38. soon youll be able to see the twin booms and you know its a 38 model before you get to 6K. same with 109s. Ta152s long wing is very noticable also. 190s and 109s are harder to tell apart until closer from that range. but if it has a paintjob or a black silouette it isnt a late war american. in scenarios this helps to know FoF etc. just study it for a bit and if you got good eyes or young eyes you'll most likely be able to tell planes apart out to 10K. granted this takes alot of focus and in a heated fight you dont want to take the time to do this

That is all very subjective to the resolution the game is being displayed at.

[321BAR]

That is all very subjective to the resolution the game is being displayed at.

probably. all i got is an LCD and average graphics on 128. not even playing on the game's 256 graphics so i'd think it'd be easier for most

[SmokinLoon]

i dont think anyone will be using it much, after they get lit up by pintle guns.

Seeing as how the Storch wont be performing any direct attacks vs gv's, the AA pintle guns are going to have to track the aircraft and they are not going to have much "time on target".  The Storch will be the eyes and ears, and not much else.  The biggest threat to the Storch is going to be Wirbles and that is only if the Wirby gets lucky and has the Storch fly in a line away or towards.  I know if I'm in a Storch, and I see a Wirby 1.5k out (lets assume the Storh will be able to see gv's at 1.5k), I'll be staying well away.

If you were in a Wirby, and the only thing to shoot at was the Stork, then sure.  But if there is a Hurri IID, IL-2, A20, Mossi, and a Storch airborne in the area... the Stork will be the last thing you'll be firing at.  The Stork is not a direct threat.

Think of the Storch as being that little mouthy kid that is hard to catch and has a big brother waiting to blind side you with a hay maker.  

[colmbo]

  The human eye is not going to be able to tell the difference between a 109 and a Spitfire from 6000 yards out, or even 2000 yards out.  At that range, the human eye may be able to tell how many engines it has, but not the specific model.  B17 or B24?  190 or P47?  F4U or F6F?

At a distance of two miles (11600 feet actually, 3733 yards) I can tell the difference between a Cessna 172 and a Cessna 206.  I have identified (including the airline livery) a 747 at 12 miles (radar call by approach -  21120 yards)  I can easily tell the difference between a B-17 and B-24 at over 5 miles.  From 13000 AGL it's quite easy to look down and check the cars in the parking lot to see if that hot skydiver chick has arrived yet.

The human eye is remarkable.