Staged missions in the AvA

[Mister Fork]

Just wanted to give you a heads up we'll be working on staged missions for the AvA this week.  We're in testing mode as we speak, so if you arrive and cannot launch from a tower, search for missions already in progress and join up.  We'll post our results once our testing is complete.

[soda72]

 

[Volron]

Now that we have the G-2, thought about running a Battle of Kursk?

[Mister Fork]

Battle of Kursk is always in our rotation. We'll let you know before we run it... and I can't remember who said they wanted to... I'll find out and let you know.

We're having difficulties at the moment with staged missions as we (AvA admins) are unable to upload missions into the arena at the moment. Once the guys has it figured out, we'll let you know when they're up and running.

.

[USRanger]

The issue has been fixed. Expect a mission tonight.

[Mister Fork]

Staged missions still have a few bugs to be worked out. But we hope to have those ironed out shortly.

[Mister Fork]

For the time being, we will not be running staged missions in the AvA or the SEA until HTC can get the bugs we ran into last night worked out.  We will let you know once it's up and running properly.

[daddog]

I am flying now and again and I for one look forward to the staged missions in the AVA. 

[jimson]

Once the system has been optimized for the CM run arenas, we really think we will be able to do great things with them.

[AKKuya]

Really not up to speed on what they offer.

My question is do staged missions have some kind of AI drones that fly a pre-programmed route at a certain altitude?

[USRanger]

Yes, unless/until engaged.  If you've ever flown an offline mission, it is exactly the same thing, except online & multiplayer now.

[jimson]

The cool thing about this system is that AI only fly slots not claimed by players. Besides filling out large missions with AI, if needed (they have improved from the most recent versions by the way) it opens up other things, mission briefings, sound effects.

We can warp flights over long distances up to altitude, we can now have battles with limited numbers of certain planes, say one flight of 262's etc.

All we gotta do is start sending 5ths of Craggenmore to Hitech to encourage him to work it up for the CM run arenas.

[AKKuya]

I've never did an offline mission before and have no knowledge about that stuff.

My next question.  If we have 15 players flying bombers, does the Staged Missions augment more bomber formations with AI?

You know where I'm going with this.  I don't have time to learn this stuff so I rely on players who have the time to learn it.

[jimson]

Sure can, it's all up to the mission designer. He can enable escorts from a different base to rendevouz with the bombers. He can enable the enemy interceptors to intersect the bomber route anywhere he wants.

He just enables all the flights. The players come in and choose or are assigned slots and whatever isn't claimed is flown by AI.

Since the AI flies a route they can be used as lead ship or lead formation for players to follow.

If you have players that only want to fly fighters, they can escort and intercept AI bombers.

Possibilities are numerous.

[AKKuya]

That's the news I've been waiting to hear.

Will there be a volunteer mission designer to work up the AI portion?  Please PM me to plan this.  I know that the AI will make these super big.

I'll be in the arena early to answer any questions.