Side Balancing

[RufusLeaking]

*** Just a discussion. Not a criticism. Everyone stay calm. ***

77 Allies versus 103 Axis on July 21, 2017 Frame 3.

Is there a way to adjust the side balance on the night of FSO? I would gladly change to the low side at the last minute.

But, that would throw plans off for the side with better attendance.

Maybe allow walk-ons to fill in established squads? This is probably already happening on an informal level. I believe squad membership in FSO is distinct from the Melee squads, so there is no 'paperwork' issue.

*** Don't misinterpret. I love FSO. I have missed one or two per year in the last eight years. It is the best of the Aces High experience. This is just a discussion. ***

[Rodent57]

Ruf,

We had a similar discussion last evening.  I'm not sure what is happening, and like you I don't miss an FSO if there is any way I can make it.   I suspect (Purely speculation) that when squads get rides they don't like, they simply aren't showing up.   I don't get that.  The PIGS proved last night that you can be highly successful in any ride if you execute correctly (Yes, I just said something nice about the Avian Porcines!    )

I know the FSO CMs are well aware of the problem--I'm at a loss as to what they can do to fix it.    (I'm guessing that if you offer walk-ons the mighty JU-87, or similar Allied rides, they will likely politely decline -- even if they are some of the 'funnest' missions).   

IF they allowed the walk-ons (or side-switchers) to jump into the premier fighters on the lesser numbered side, then there would be howling from the other side (and rightly so).   
-  Then there's that whole issue with the guys that are switching sides KNOW what the side they just switched from have planned.

Lets hope some  one comes up with a solution.   (OR, is this the usual Summer Weirdness??)

 

- Rodent57

[waystin2]

The PIGS proved last night that you can be highly successful in any ride if you execute correctly (Yes, I just said something nice about the Avian Porcines!    )


- Rodent57

Thank you Sir.

 

[oakranger]

Not the first time seeing a unbalance event.  Worst for FSO was 70 something difference.

[snakeplissken]

Eastern Front sometimes gets low attendance. Plus, people are on vacation. You are correct, the Admins are looking into the matter.  (Maybe a sliding point scale?  I don't know).  On the bright side, I took over the event with 15 minutes until launch and no one crashed into each other on the runway (We have actually started to test that).  Missions remained fuggered, we are looking into that.  One last comment, sometimes the worst planes make for the funniest event.  My best FSO ever was in a C.202 (go figure).  But we have also had some fun Stuka missions.  Thanks FSO Squads and Players. 

[RufusLeaking]

-  Then there's that whole issue with the guys that are switching sides KNOW what the side they just switched from have planned.

I didn't think of this very valid point.

As for a solution, I got nothing. The walk-ons would have to be plugged in to squadrons like WWII replacements, which didn't go that well.

Maybe have a swing squadron or two get their orders at the last minute. Sounds dumber even as I type it.

(I'm guessing that if you offer walk-ons the mighty JU-87, or similar Allied rides, they will likely politely decline -- even if they are some of the 'funnest' missions).   

One last comment, sometimes the worst planes make for the funniest event.  My best FSO ever was in a C.202 (go figure).  But we have also had some fun Stuka missions.

Stukas are awesome. Two, maybe three frames in the gull winged classic have all been memorably fun. On a related note, there was a great time had with D3A's.

One of the great things about FSO is taking a hangar queen out for a spin. It really opened my eyes to the depth of the AH plane set.

[Dawger]

 I know I will regret replying to this but I canceled my AH account a few hours ago so it doesn't much matter.

As the CO of an historical squad that has been together for 20 years, I was looking for an event that fulfilled our particular desire for historical match ups that rewarded teamwork, planning and execution.

As a group we have long years of experience in all kinds of MMOG WWII aviation events including a prior run in AH in the FSO.

My impression this time around is that FSO has too many plane types and too little mystery. Everyone knows the fight will start over the declared targets at T+47. plus or minus 5 minutes.

Even with all that FSO was still attractive as an opportunity operate together and occasionally fly our historical ride. I made it clear that we were willing to fly whatever was assigned except when our group historical ride was available. The response to that from the FSO community was basically "shut up and fly what we tell you".

The community reaction to our desire to be assigned our historical ride as much as possible was the catalyst for the present exit of myself and others in the group, not only from FSO participation but from AH itself.

Slogging through frame after frame in airframes we have no real interest in with no carrot of our group ride when available naturally reduces overall interest and once folks sit out a few Friday nights they have a tendency to stay gone.

Not all groups have the motivation of an historical ride to look forward to and it is not the only motivator in my group. The other motivating factors are also somewhat lacking.

FSO setups are bound by rules that make them extremely predictable. CiC's are bound by constraints that make CIC duty mainly assigning aircraft and complying with restrictions.

Our role most often was "defend XYZ" and frame after frame that consists of climbing and flying in circles until the fight starts at T-45, 10 15 minutes of action followed by a rearm and mostly pointless second sortie.

Assignment as an attacker did not vary much either.

I expect this post to be met with derision. That too shall serve to make my point.

[j500ss]

I think your squad was one of the lucky ones, as a mostly allied squad.   Now, I am not saying you always got your historical ride, but man you sure had a LOT more chances of getting it vs a squad like ours.   See we are a blue plane squad, hellcats, hogs, TBM's, SBD's, wildcats.....  You get the picture I bet. 

In your recent time in FSO, we had a chance how many times to fly blue?  Not much sir!

So some of us, have it worse off than you folks did when it comes to ride pref's.....   Sorry, but that's just a reality.

Heck we have guys who like other fighters too, I cannot recall last time I got a pony in FSO, and believe me the last time they were in the setup, it was hard to see the same guys get them all 3 frames 

So we got labeled as a buff squad, not sure why.....  Well maybe I am. 

It's about to the point where I look at the bomber match up to determine what side we are gonna fly, because most every Cic out there is going to give us that duty.   We just decide to have fun with it and do off the wall Ops with em.......  Because we can 

So your FSO experience, while it is dictated by others in ways, still can be a good time, you just have to decide to make it that.

Too bad your leaving, but at the same time I get why you are.....  Good luck to you, and your squad mates.

 

Jdog
G3-MF

[waystin2]

I know I will regret replying to this but I canceled my AH account a few hours ago so it doesn't much matter.

As the CO of an historical squad that has been together for 20 years, I was looking for an event that fulfilled our particular desire for historical match ups that rewarded teamwork, planning and execution.

As a group we have long years of experience in all kinds of MMOG WWII aviation events including a prior run in AH in the FSO.

My impression this time around is that FSO has too many plane types and too little mystery. Everyone knows the fight will start over the declared targets at T+47. plus or minus 5 minutes.

Even with all that FSO was still attractive as an opportunity operate together and occasionally fly our historical ride. I made it clear that we were willing to fly whatever was assigned except when our group historical ride was available. The response to that from the FSO community was basically "shut up and fly what we tell you".

The community reaction to our desire to be assigned our historical ride as much as possible was the catalyst for the present exit of myself and others in the group, not only from FSO participation but from AH itself.

Slogging through frame after frame in airframes we have no real interest in with no carrot of our group ride when available naturally reduces overall interest and once folks sit out a few Friday nights they have a tendency to stay gone.

Not all groups have the motivation of an historical ride to look forward to and it is not the only motivator in my group. The other motivating factors are also somewhat lacking.

FSO setups are bound by rules that make them extremely predictable. CiC's are bound by constraints that make CIC duty mainly assigning aircraft and complying with restrictions.

Our role most often was "defend XYZ" and frame after frame that consists of climbing and flying in circles until the fight starts at T-45, 10 15 minutes of action followed by a rearm and mostly pointless second sortie.

Assignment as an attacker did not vary much either.

I expect this post to be met with derision. That too shall serve to make my point.

  It just got a heck of lot easier to issue orders without you to tip-toe around. 

[puller]

Funny....A squad flys FSO for what...5 months...Says they didn't get p38s every frame that they were available...Then rage quits....Par for the course...

[gflyer]

Someone rage quit?  Dawger pretty well laid out the reasons why he will no longer participate, I read it as the FSOs are predictable and stale with little motivation to grind it out, regardless of the ride.  Five months, plus whatever time they had in before, how long does it take for someone to figure it out? Most 475th stopped flying in the melee long before that. If both bore you then it is time to go.  No loss to this community of shut up and color. 

[Snork]

Funny....A squad flys FSO for what...5 months...Says they didn't get p38s every frame that they were available...Then rage quits....Par for the course...

I'm sorry to see them leave but fear not, nature abhors a vacuum and there are plenty of young mmg players coming up to fill the role of peeve and moan, demanding all to honor their entitlement to special privilege.

[Frodo]

FSO's evolved to a more scripted event to make sure you didn't show up and just bore holes in the sky. No fun to show up and not see any enemy all night. A bit of a trade off maybe but the best option with the tools and numbers we have. My 2 cents. 

[Squire]

It's always been a challenge to get the #s the way we want them.

[RufusLeaking]

I know I will regret replying to this but I canceled my AH account a few hours ago so it doesn't much matter.

I guess a "you all will miss me when I'm gone" note has a place in a side balancing thread? 

The intent of the OP was to discuss side balancing when people don't show up. That people don't show because they don't get their favorite planes or assignments is disappointing. I still got nothing on a solution.

One can imagine an arena where squads can get together, fly whatever, choose their mission, their target and their timing at their own discretion, unpredictably. If only there was such an arena.