Things that would help, game

[skaol]

Here is some things that would help "KEEP" the players that try the game out for the first time. Notice I said "Keep" and not some miracle bring in 1000 new players.

1. Sorry, but DIF has the Dumbest (and I have played and Beta tested alot of games) and I do mean Dumbest, Campaign UI's there is and ever was. I mean Click to close to click to close to click to close...it is beyond silly. 1 Freaking Screen Period.

2. No Offline Campaign's...yeah ok need I say anything.

3. Hello Mr. Vista....refer to #2

4. Pilots who have 1 Billion Kills, is Complete and Udder BS. "FEAR OF DEATH" should always be apart of any game and I do not mean the small percent of deaths we have compared to the amount of Combat Missions/ Per Death, we have now. Raise the percent and Drop the free get out of Death Card.

5. I have no Idea why you have the ability to buy "EXPENDABLE" cards, if any player has ever been in combat (I have) or a Dogfight, they will know not 1 single skirmish or engagement is alike.

Now saying that, your giving a player a chance to purchase expendable cards that simulate the battle going as planned over and over, thats dumb. The "Permanent" Cards is what a player should rely on because I see that as his traing and skill, but Expendable are a joke and thats why we see players with a 2 kills per mission status, yeah thats realistic. I never use those dumb things thats why my kills are low but way more realistic like it should be.

6. Team Campaigns, would be a grand installment and a 2 teams vs. 2 teams would really be addicting and would make it where players would get to know other players.

7. Your Pilots in Campaigns...Nuff said

8. Add a new place by your photo, where you can add a Unit Pic, I use mine as my Main Pic now but would be nice to see a Pic and a unit symbol there. Not a major thing here.

9. A link on the Main Screen UI that links to the Forum, come on most players have no idea how to get here or suggest things, you need to make it easier for new players to get involved period.

10. Input from the game producers, in a timely matter, yeah small, yeah part time garage game, yadda yadda, but you can make it so much more with just a bit more effort.

-------------------------------------------------

Now saying all that. I do love this game and I do think it is well made and provides hours upon hours of enjoyment, just think it could be a tad better (like anything in life) with just a little in some tweaks, and effort.

[Dan Verssen]

Hello skaol,

Replies below...

1. Sorry, but DIF has the Dumbest (and I have played and Beta tested alot of games) and I do mean Dumbest, Campaign UI's there is and ever was. I mean Click to close to click to close to click to close...it is beyond silly. 1 Freaking Screen Period.

--The campaigns were tricky to create given the nature of the game. With all the data going back and forth, the interface needed to take a very step-by-step approach.--

2. No Offline Campaign's...yeah ok need I say anything.

--On the list of Things To Do.--

3. Hello Mr. Vista....refer to #2

--What problems are encountered with Vista?--

4. Pilots who have 1 Billion Kills, is Complete and Udder BS. "FEAR OF DEATH" should always be apart of any game and I do not mean the small percent of deaths we have compared to the amount of Combat Missions/ Per Death, we have now. Raise the percent and Drop the free get out of Death Card.

--This is one of those realism vs. fun factors. When the game first came out, death was much more common - and people hated it. There was no end to the number of "my pilot died, I hate your game" posts.--

5. I have no Idea why you have the ability to buy "EXPENDABLE" cards, if any player has ever been in combat (I have) or a Dogfight, they will know not 1 single skirmish or engagement is alike.

Now saying that, your giving a player a chance to purchase expendable cards that simulate the battle going as planned over and over, thats dumb. The "Permanent" Cards is what a player should rely on because I see that as his traing and skill, but Expendable are a joke and thats why we see players with a 2 kills per mission status, yeah thats realistic. I never use those dumb things thats why my kills are low but way more realistic like it should be.

--This is another example of realism vs. fun. I haven't been in combat, but I am deeply grateful to you, and those like you, who have put your lives at risk to defend your country.--

6. Team Campaigns, would be a grand installment and a 2 teams vs. 2 teams would really be addicting and would make it where players would get to know other players.

--Brian would need to answer this one. I'm not sure what the copding hurdles would be to make it happen.--

7. Your Pilots in Campaigns...Nuff said

--Also on the To Do List.--

8. Add a new place by your photo, where you can add a Unit Pic, I use mine as my Main Pic now but would be nice to see a Pic and a unit symbol there. Not a major thing here.

--I will ask Brian about this one also.--

9. A link on the Main Screen UI that links to the Forum, come on most players have no idea how to get here or suggest things, you need to make it easier for new players to get involved period.

--Sounds like a good idea.--

10. Input from the game producers, in a timely matter, yeah small, yeah part time garage game, yadda yadda, but you can make it so much more with just a bit more effort.

--Agreed. We should have news soon.--

[skaol]

Excellent all around Dan, this is what we need more of, you answered me tremendously fast and I think that is great all around.

I totaly understand the fun factor vs. the real factor and can live with that, but is there any way to have 2 settings for the game?

[x] Old way (more deaths)

[ ] New way (easy mode)

If you could make a stat category that listed just the hard level Top Pilots I would just about buy 10 copies to send to friends (which I have 2 that play now) that have never played.

Understand what you mean on the UI but, wow, you get a chance that is a Top Priority and does not do the game justice and I bet you have lost many many sales on that, just because the players where confused. I have had 6 players since Saturday ask me how to get to and play a campaign.

This little game Dan has so much promise it is unreal. You find a way to add in a ground war and a Naval Aspect and GOLD MINE to say the least. The thing this game has that most (like 99%) has is......Quick and Easy........nothing compares to it period.

Think in 2 mins you can have the same excitement level as playing another military game for hours and hours, and that is no overstatement.

Thanks for the comment on the Military, was shot in the back at close quarters and had the round exit just below my belly button, pierced my spinal chord and I was paralized for 3 years, I can now walk but have a slight limp because my body tries to adjust for the ofset of my back.

We all have something special in us, some can brave a battlefield to rescue a fallen comrad, some can save a mans life by performing a life or death surgery, and some can bring enjoyment and excitement into a persons life for a split second, and make there own problems fade away for that moment in time. You by all standards have the last gift. THANK YOU.

Skaol ( Ssgt. John Wayne Nelson MAG 42 MWSS 471 Det A USMC)

[skaol]

Sorry forgot...Vista users can not play a Campaign Online, they always get a error, and I tried to see if it was true on my laptop and it happened to me also.

The error number is in a thread here in the forum.

I just have to kick this dead horse one more time. The thing that gets me about the Fun Factor Fan Club is this:

They never last for more then 6 months, because there so blind by there quick rush to have everything right now, that they don't realize the fun thing about a game is making your Pilot get better. If he is already the best he can be then where else is there to go but to another game.

I mean I would love the fact I had a good chance to lose a Pilot if I was shot down, because when I did get a Victory in the Air, I knew I had earned it and all the pilots who played that way and had many kills would earn my respect.

**Except for the intercept mission boys** LOL

Games that have it where you have no fear of losing all what you worked so hard for, have a very short shelf life for players because they get BORINNNGGGGGGGG!!!

I bet 99.9% of the Fan club is not around at this very moment....Rest my Case.

Skaol

[Dan Verssen]

Brian and I are kicking around some ideas to give players the option of playing more deadly games.

[skaol]

Man that is music to my ears. Thanks Dan.

[skaol]

Dan, if you add it where you can use your own pilots in a Campaign, is it possible to add Ribbons to the pilot awards section.

I have a ribbon for everywhere I went or everywhere I was stationed at in a time of Crisis. There is a Rule of thumb, all Medals have Ribbons, but not all Ribbons have Medals.

I say this because if I took my Pilot in a Campaign on (Hard) setting and he Survived that Campaign he should be awarded a Ribbon for that Theatre of Action...**Just 1 time** no stacking Ribbons.

You could have a Generic Ribbon (doesn't need to be Historic or Fancy) made for each Campaign, and to me that would be great and a ton of fun trying to get my Pilots thru a series of Campaigns and Home Safely on (Hard) level.

Players like to have a Goal to strive for, and I think that Ribbons along with the Medals we have now would be a great Goal and would add some shelf life to the Game.

Thanks for all the input so far Dan

Skaol

[skaol]

Dang been meaning to mention this as well.

On the UI a place to view the Pilots who you have lost in Combat at some point. Just would be nice is all, not a Major thing.

[skaol]

A added note to the Combat Ribbons....Ribbons only added to a pilot if You "WIN" the Campaign and the Pilot is still on the Active Roster of that Campaign.

[Dan Verssen]

Thank you for the ideas, Brian and I have been watching the DIF forum.

In your opinion, what can we do to expand the DIF user base?

[skaol]

Well a couple of things Dan

First Battle Front is a good place to find Games but to be honest it is a little hard to find this site unless your like me and already knew about it. If I ask anyone else about this Web Site it's like I am speaking Chinese to them.

1. I would honestly place your Demo Game on some of the Abandonware sites like www.the-underdogs.info ,those guys are really nice and will review your game and add a link where you can purchase the full version. I and everyone I know Surf those sites for Oldie but Goodie Games. I have noticed alot of Mid Level Companies doing that tactic now.

2. There is 1 thing the game has, but then on the other it doesn't have is this. A Bond and Connection with his Pilot\Pilots. Sad I am going to say this but here is an Example.

**Bare With me here**

Regardless what people say, games are all about the "Look what I got" Taunt, when we all where kids we did it with Toys, and when we play games where we can build up Characters it is the same thing. The Game that played it to the Max was D&D (oddly never played it), you have to build up your Character by gaining XP and then Fighting the Bad Guy and the whole time feeling like the Lil Character was you.

This game has some of the same aspects to it, XP, selecting Skills, advancing to Highr Levels that give you the ability to use better Equipment, BUT this game Misses the Main factor that people for years have been doing in D&D countless times, and that is an Adventure, or in this Game we call a Campaign.

The thing that has kinda put a Pause on this game is that you can't go fight the Horde and get the Great Treasure that Waits.

This game you Log On to Build your Character and have to settle for Hitting the Same Ogre over his Head over and over and over and over and over, and after doing the same Create Online Mission 1000 times and seeing the same screen repeadly you grow tired of the game and abandon it.

The Game Needs a Campaign Addition that lets you take your Pilots into it, and then you need to give Loot (Rewards) to the Pilots who Win the Campaigns. The Rewards could be Cards that Only those players who Won get, Ribbons, Medals, Different Choosable Paint Schemes for there Planes, or Promotion in Rank (A lil something about Rank Below).

This would Enhance Gameplay 1000 fold just by that alone, because to prove my point on how much people love to advance there Characters rather then play with some already made...look how many people play Campaigns right now to the people who sign on just to Create Missions for there Pilots.

3. Rank needs to have a bigger Impact in the Game without a doubt. The one thing you could do and I think it would help alot of things out, is make it where you can only fly 1 Squadleader until you have enough Rank, then another one opens up, with ore Rank another, until you get the 4th.

There is 1 catch though, and that is the Fatigue Issue, but I think I know a way to balance that as well. The Fatigue level for flying a Mission and recieving only Light Damage should be turned Off. On the Flip side when your Plane Recieves Enough Damage to where you begin to Smoke or are Shot Down, then you have to pay a penalty, and with that penalty would be with XP.

The XP Payment could be reduced with the Iron Nerves Skill by 20%, but the rest would be taken from your Earned XP Total. This would give the effect of a Pilot rehabbing wounds and the Flight Crew fixing the Plane or a new Plane arriving.

The reason I say this, well it's obivious, Higher Rank warrants higher responsibilty, and right now the game does not have that Military feel too it. The more you make the game feel like the Military the more the player will get Emursed in the game and connected with his charcter (like D&D does) and the more likely he will constantly swing by.

The trick though is when a Player Unlocks other Flight Leader Spots, if he gets Killed and his Next in Charge does not have enough Rank to keep the others open, they stay froze until he does get enough Rank. This way you have to Balance a Equal Chain of Command in your Countries Flight Leader Structure like Real Air Groups do today.

This will help balance the game alot and make for some fun with the Flight Leaders Page.

4. Make some little Symbols for the XP Skills or pics or clipart for each Skill Listed. I mean come on think of the Pilots as D&D Characters, who wants a Suit of Armor, if all it is, is freaking words on a Monitor. We all like neat litle Graphics to look at in our Inventory. =) I do (Baldurs Gate).

5. Something to get people to Chat with one another, COOP Campaigns would for sure do this justice, and would greatly improve player chatter. I mean say a player wanted to Defeat a certain Campaign to get a reward (like listed above) but he has low rank and only 1 Flight Leader, but just saw a High Ranking Player log in with 3 Flight Leaders...thats when the talking to one another would begin.

I will say on COOP Missions they have to go by the Campaign Guidelines, no German Pilots flying buddy buddy with Britt Pilots and so forth. I would also like to see a Game Check each time a player enters a Campaign or any Mission to make sure there are no Pilots playing with files they have Tampered with.

I can name more if you want, just don't want you to think I never shut up. LOL

Skaol / John

[skaol]

Ok I want to add to a little to the idea of making you have to earn XP to get more Flight Leaders.

I think the game could add a few Features to the Manage Pilot Screen that could branch into a Whole New Micro Manage Squadron format that would be fun, and would make the game fun when not flying as well. Here is some Idea's.

A. A Command Structure that Lists all the Pilots avaialable to a player and where each Pilot stands in the pecking order of the Squardron, which would lead to the next Idea.

B. A new Button that Added "Command Skills" to the game, where a player could use his XP to help Command the Squadron instead of using on the Pilot Skills. These could greatly enhance the Squadron's Performance. Which leads to the next Idea.

C. In the Command Structure any pilot with "Command Skills" only Passes any Command Benefits he has Purchased to the Pilots listed "BELOW" him on the command tree. which leads to the next Idea.

D. I way to Promote/Demote Pilots on the Command Tree that have the same Rank, to utilize a Pilots Command Skills to its fullest potential. Which leads to the next Idea.

E. A Squadron Morale Status and a Individual Status of how a pilot feels and if his Morale is getting low (because of being shot down repeatedly, losing battles, loss of a wingman, etc etc) he would hurt any pilot listed below him on the Command Structure, and Vise Versa. Which leads to the next Idea.

F. A way to control a Pilot's Flight Status, like being Active, Grounded, On Leave. These could help to raise a pilots Morale, heal any wounds, make him available for Missions and give a another management aspect to the Command Structure.

G. I think there should be a rule that made all pilots in the Squadron to use the same plane until they all have enough rank to fly the next level plane.This would represent a Squadron refitting with new planes.

If where making new Flight Leaders only avaialable after so much earned XP, then it would be like chosing a later year as your New Pilots Start date on the Create New Flight Leader Screen we have now. By the time the new Flight Leader Joins the Squadron he will already have enough points to fly planes the Squad has available anyway I bet.

6. This is a Completely different addittion to the Pilot Screen and that is this. It would be nice to see a Palette of the plane the pilot fly's and a place that could let you add a Squadron symbol to the palette. If you couldn't add the Squadron Symbol, then just a Palette would do.

Here is a great site that has all your needs for palettes of any time frame.

http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/b

If you added the Palette you could also add a place where a player could add a Command Squadron Code (Unit ID) to the plane. Here is a list for the Britts during BoB.

http://www.battle-of-britain.com/BoB2/Squadrons/squadron_codes.htm

Would be a nice addition because most people like to customize there game to look different then someone else's.

Just some more ideas I'm throwing out there.

Skaol/John

[bardamu]

Just a little thing : I agree with Skaol's idea for ribbons given when we will use our own pilots during a campaign.

[JeffGeorge]

How about a reliable server?

[SilentAce]

I would add to this discussion that if you are going to have a "more deadly" option

then skills should have a fixed price that dont change as you earn one. The reason

"escape death" has any validation is purely based on the fact that if you want to

have a pilot with a decent list of skills you have to last forever to get anywhere

near them.