C'mon Dave man. You don't know his statement was designed for the sole purpose to get a heated response?
Obviously.
I hope that my pointing out the ToS violation wasn't viewed as heated. Personally, I would agree that for the most part the vGuys aren't the biggest part of the horde problem. On the Bishops side, the Alchemists (Chuwie) are the real horde masters.
I have always believed that the base taking squads have an important place in the Aces High ecology. The base rollers are the first place of refuge for a high percentage of the brand new players. The base takers are the ones posting missions and welcoming all who wish to participate to join in on their fun. Many of you guys berating the hordes are the same guys who continually beat down new players, both in the sky and via ch200 or even worse, private message. It is only natural that a new player, who has been getting his butt handed to him repeatedly, would seek refuge in these missions. I often wonder how the game would change if the non base rolling squads went out of their way to take as many new guys under their wing as possible. What if The Muppets or The Few (or whoever) was posting up missions frequently, advertising them, filling them with new guys, and accomplishing a goal. Imagine the time a mission commander has during climbout, to talk with the guys in the mission. To answer questions. To teach another way to take bases, other then overwhelming force. The opportunity to shape the new players early in their AH career is there. Until now, the community seems to be perfectly willing to let squads like the Alchemists, or Devils Brigade, (insert whatever base rolling squad you like or dislike).
The missions give the new player a way to feel successful in this very steep learning curve game. Also, the contact with other players (many of whom are at a similar noob skill level), gives the new guys a way to make contact with other players more on their level. A way to bond with others who are like them. This also serves to make these new guys feel like they are part of something and not just additional fodder for the experten lurking over head in their K4s and LAs, or griefing them in 262s.
Ideally, these new players will spend a period of time in the base rolling squad, learning the basic mechanics of the game. Giving them just enough of a taste of success in the Aces High world that they eventually begin to seek out more. Eventually, hopefully, they realize that if they are ever going to truly become skilled pilots they are going to have to branch out and seek out training that the base rolling squad cannot or will not provide.
They hopefully discover that constantly flying in a cloud of friendly aircraft does not present the challenge and experience necessary to make significant improvement.
It is my hope, that squads like Devils Brigade, understand what their place really is in the ecology of the game. Accept their role, enjoying the playstyle that they have chosen. But always remembering that they should be helping the newer guys to truly grow in abilities. Whether that means providing training as the new guys seek it, or by encouraging the new guys to spread their wings and leave the nest that the horde truly is, striking out on their own in search of the training and experience that they crave.
It is also my hope that the folks who so dislike the turn towards hording that the game seems to have taken, will take this as a clarion call to adopt a few new guys. Get ahold of them before the hordes do. Teach them to fish so that they may feed themselves one day, rather the allowing them to rely on the socialist horde for their every meal.
