I’ve be er seen anything Korea take off in any sim. I would think Vietnam would have a better chance, but have not seen that take off in mass numbers either.
These are different types of wars, mainly with ground troops and jets with limited AC. In AW there were basically only two jets, F-86 and Mig 29(?). Jets are a completely different style of fighting. There’s a lot of distance and speeds, aiming is much different, you have much less time to think.
Ground wars were very limited compared to WWII. A narrow selection.
WWII offers so much on so many levels. A lot of development of AC, ground vehicles, ships and arms. A very wide selection. Plus there is so much history that sucks in historian types.
Prop planes are a more intimate fight. I compare prop and jet fights as one is more of a long distance sniper concept and props is like an up close and personal knife fight, props giving more adrenaline flow. Adrenaline sells.
The point I attempted to make is that some modern sims are banking on graphics over game play. Not very well rounded sims. Great graphics, questionable game play. More thought is put into graphics, game play as a byproduct. More about emptying the wallet for graphics, its not just one sim. Some are Swiss cheese on concept.
Some of us over-think it all with seasoned technical minds rather than how the common player views it all. Very different POV.
AW and AH put game play first. AH is a very well rounded and solid sim/game. Everything may not be “great”, like modern graphics lacking game play, but everything is “good”. One may not like specific settings while others do, but everything is good and solid, and can run on okder machines. Its very inclusive.
Below is personal opinion the way I see it.
Concept = good
Game play = great
Multiplayer = great
Graphics = good
Selection = good
Community = good
History - good
Payment model = good
Other sims, each will vary.
Concept = good
Graphics = great
Game play = poor - good
Multiplayer = poor - ok
Selection = ok - good
Community = poor - good
History = ok - good
Payment model = ok - poor
IMO, too much focus in graphics over other things, both by producers and players.
IMHO, IF (a huge word here) AH had modern graphics, it would put a severe hurt on other sims. Same reason AW was very strong to the end, game play. AW concept was so good that many here claim ng to AH because its the closest thing to it. It IS AW, on steroids. Its the fond memories and very historic sim/game. The bond of AWers to AH is very tight. Most hardcore AWers are hardcore AHers. Its very hard for anyone to break that bond.
We got used to over looking graphics since day one. Live the concept, always waiting for modern graphics. Its the concept of MP. AH is the happy place of AW. AWers flew other sims seeking graphics, but always returned for game play. Same with AH. Even those who fly other sims now or don’t fly at all return to their happy place. Its nostalgic. Its the trunk of the tree.The same reason we get more return players over new players. Wanting to relive fond memories.
AH kept a hold on the large base until it stopped keeping up on graphics. IMO AH3 update came too late. The damage happened under AH2. But it is not dead. There has been movement. HT is not completely checked out. He’s one person instead of a team.
Modern graphics are about as realistic as its going to get. If AH came up to that it would never need another graphic update again, within reason. I could see MA numbers come up to 350-400. Take note: we said the same about AW, EA.com said yes, and then yanked the plug. We have a better chance today.
I played AH 2000-2010ish. It was AH2. When I came back in 2023 it was AH3, it was fresh for me, new. Those who left before AH3 get the same effect. And those are who I try to get the word out to. Those are more dedicated players over most new players, they already know how to play, its a happy place. I’d like to see modern graphics to draw some back, but currently, I’m good. Just return players alone can make this sim/game pop. There could be better graphics in videos, but as like me, AH3 is new from when I left. Why I think videos with current graphics can still reset a hook or two in former players. Its kind of a waste of time to target new you g players who play fir 2 week on another game for 1 week.
Since videos are the only advertisement and you want numbers, make and share them outside the box. Numbers breed numbers. Numbers/revenue breeds updates. Restart the cycle. AW just picked the wrong hope/company, we had the numbers. Don’t let summer numbers get to you, its natural, just more noticeable with lower numbers.
Last yr, same time, I shot for 160 from 120. We hit that last late summer. We hit 200 in winter. A goal this year is 250 in winter. We have good game play now and at 160. Things really start to pop at 250.
IF that were to happen, those numbers and that revived game play could push 300 during s good scenario. Don’t F it up with open air petty nonsense. Only two people care who killed who. The winner and loser.
We drive our own train here. Make and share videos and advertise events outside the box.
Foolish? Maybe. But my concept is,.. nothing ventured, nothing gained. <shrug> at least its done with good intensions. We did it in AW, we can do it here. EA was the problem.
Permission granted to point and laugh
