Past the breaking point.

So, after my first battle, that ended in a defeat, I took to the air with my Stuka one more time. My reward? Well, I finally crossed over the threshold of experience to advance up to the next tiered aircraft. Before I made that purchase, I took a look at how well I did with this tier V German Attack Aircraft....

Ugh, I guess I didn't do so hot in it, after all. Perhaps I will just hold on to it, saving me to re-buy it a later date, to "fix" those numbers, if I can.

Nevertheless, I retain my Stuka crew for their new ride, the tier VI Junkers Ju 88 P. I felt pretty good about the fact I progressed to this point in the German line and hoped I would fair better than the plane I was leaving behind.

Not only was the first battle a disaster, it set a precedent that would follow me through out the rest of my gaming session....

....despite my best efforts, I just couldn't either pull off a win, or contribute in any significant way for my team to collect those victory rewards. I shot down a few aircraft along the way, didn't make any difference. I blasted away at ground targets, for nothing. I even had one match where one of my teammates gave off the impression they were afraid to fire their weapons at enemy aircraft!

I stubbornly/stupidly kept on clicking the "Battle" button, with the hopes the next sortie would bring me a good team to be on, a bad team to fight, or that "magic moment" where my skills and the newest addition to my hangar would just all come together.

Now, I have had losing streaks before, even worse than what I experienced today. However, I have been looking for any kind of a sign to take a break from World of Warplanes for sometime now. For a long list of reasons, that have culminated over a very long period of time now, this is enough to warrant a vacation from the skies.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a "goodbye", more of a "cya later".

Emotional and interest retention impasse

A funny thing is happening to me. Just coming up short on being with the World of Warplanes community for 2 years now and my interest in playing, coupled with any desire participating in discussions on the North American forums is almost nonexistent.

During the early days of Planes, the community was alive and vibrant with many different people, almost for all walks of life, talking, laughing and sharing thoughts and concerning with the direction the game was going in. From the Alpha Testers through to those who came in during the Open Beta phase, we were, for the most part, united with the passion for the planes, the virtual combat experience and the vision the game was advertising to us and the public in general.

Then, things started to go horribly wrong. To list everything that could be deemed "bad" about the game would take more space to post and time to read it all then this blog (and writer) would allow. However, I stuck it out during these "dark times" and continued to play, even a certain class of aircraft that have a "known dislike" by particular people, even to this day.

At first, I set out my goals that I wanted to accomplish, namely putting my first tier X in my hangar. With my acquirement of the IL-40P, I scratched that one off the list. Next, I moved around and up some of the other classes of aircraft from just about all the nations. American Heavy Fighters, Japanese Fighters and British aircraft, just to name a few. Despite performing rather poorly, it kept me in the game with something to do and hopes that I would be "touched by magic" and become better with them and the others.

With the introduction of the "Mission Aircraft", I jumped on board with attempting these tasks and collecting those rare warbirds for my hangar. Everytime one of these would pop up, I would post away my thoughts and progress on the main forums. I haven't done that in quite a while now, in fact, my last comment on that topic was pretty much me saying "nope" to the current "Mosquito Mission".

I stopped trying to collect any of the hard-to-get premiums that are being offered months ago. Part of the reason for this was twofold. One, the mission requirements were, in my opinion, too high. I don't mind a challenge, but at least make it possible. The whole "War Cache" event from this last May opened my eyes to the fact that even the North American server's most dedicated players couldn't pull it off, in full.

Second, the planes being offered don't really interest me enough to even try. The Yak-3RD, a one gun, rocket assisted, tier VII premium Soviet Fighter was one of the very first missions I never even bothered to attempt. Then, came the lower tiered aircraft that did just about nothing for me. The only recent exception was the premium tier III British Attack Aircraft, Wirraway, for obvious reasons.

But, enough about the planes, what about the community? From my own observations, many of those names from the early days which became familiar on the forums and ingame  have either gone back to World of Tanks, moved on to World of Warships or just fell off the face of the earth. While some of the "old crowd" is still around on the forums, they are mostly outnumbered by names I don't recognize ingame.

I appears to me the remaining "old guard" continue to haunt both the forums and game out of habit and hope, not so much out of participation and purpose. Although I haven't fully escaped the forums altogether myself, I spend more time reading then posting there. I made my move long ago now, with no regrets.

Sadly, this brings me to the "state of the game" itself. The same old "last player standing/beat the Supremacy clock" mode is about the only thing for the mixed Player vs Player/Player vs Environment that is being offered. While there is an alternate Player-team-filled-out-with-bots-vs-the-same mode, it isn't a very rewarding experience in the long run, since the requirements for collecting anything tangible multiplies at an exponential rate. Other than "Holiday/Special Event" modes like this last Christmas' "Snowball Fight with Flying Saucers", there isn't anything new to do.

Which brings me near the end of this rant. I have stopped playing all of the other nations and classes, with a narrow exception. Everyday, when I have time, I just login, click the tier V Stuka and collect the daily modifier for the first victory. Then, I log out, done for the day. That isn't playing, that's continuing a habit. I feel no passion for playing an aircraft I waited so long for WarGaming to bring to the game. And, that was my "wake-up call" to what I was doing and the stagnate environment I was continuing to occupy.

Even now, as I look back over this very post, I am very surprised with myself, not only for finally coming to terms with where I am at, but the very fact it took me this long to realize it. The question is this, should I just continue on as I always have or like so many others before me, step away and see what the future brings, if anything?

Anatomy of a battle, including the "human factor".

During my progression through the tier V German Attack Aircraft, Stuka Ju 87 G, I have been a witness to quite a few things along the way. Sometimes, blowout victories for either team that would make the word "epic" seem so under-descriptive. I have been that "last man standing" and pulled off what would be considered "the impossible", partly from luck with just a dash of skill in the mix. However, it is so easy to get caught of in the moment, forgetting that this is just a game, with real people involved and invested in the outcome for the respective teams.

Here is a battle that illustrates the what I am talking about. From H5, I dive down and to the left, my plan is to attack the enemy ground targets at D3/E4. The rest of my team decides to chase an enemy Heavy Fighter around the H6 area. The group takes that threat down as I continue to work over the remaining ground targets in the upper left quadrant of the map. Now, I was being totaly oblivious to what was going on, I was just more focused on what I was doing.

At the almost four minute mark, I see the message I dread most while flying a GA, "You are ther last hope for your team! All allies are destroyed!". Nice and the enemy team has two Zeros left. Knowing the last know location of the enemy team was around the F9 area and with me being on the other side of the map, I decided to "bank and bait". The "bank" part was to build up more of a lead in Supremacy and also hedge in more experience and credit earning potential, in case things "went south" on me. The "bait" part, the enemy would see my flashes from their attacked ground targets, giving away my position, my "trail of breadcrumbs" that I was hoping they would follow.

From around the B3 area, I started to head south along the 2 line, blasting away at ground targets in my path. One eye on the ground, the other turned up towards the sky. I was hoping to draw them out and down towards my "green zone", bristling with active and operational AA guns. The first Zero came in from behind, my rear gunner was waiting for them with a loaded weapon.

I came in low and weaved among the friendly ships, using their AA guns to help cover me against the pursuit. One Zero knocked down and the last one was waiting for me, somewhere. At was at this point the "human factor" started to show through. The player of the last Zero must have figured out what my plan was and they didn't like it. Honestly, I can't blame them for feeling the way they did, I have been in almost the same situation myself on many occasions. Stay away, live and lose, or drop down and take a chance on killing me, but taking fire in the process. In a Zero, the latter isn't the most recommended option and I knew this.

Okay, I admit now, looking back, that I didn't add another positive to the situation. I knew what they wanted me to do, come out from my protective zone and fight. Yeah, because giving up that, speed and maneuverability to face a enraged Zero in "honorable combat" was totally the right thing to do! However, I disregarded that option for my own, stay in the "green zone" and let my remaining opponent make their choice of how the battle was going to end for both teams.

Now, for those people out there who believe having a "internet persona", which could either be slightly different or the complete opposite of who you really are is a good thing, I offer up an alternative....

During this conversation, as I was orbiting inside my protective zone, I was being completely honest and empathic to this player. They took the chance on sharing their frustrations, inside a video game, about their problems and difficulties. I know, for a fact, if I was anybody else, not the real me, I could have turned this into a real flame fest and caused emotional harm to this individual. In fact, the conversation most likely would have been continued in Private Messages in my hangar, when the battle ended and escalating even further.

But, I am not that person, either in real or my virtual life. Honesty and respect is a lot more genuine than telling somebody to "git gud" or "grow a thicker skin". However, I am not a pushover or some naive "everything is awesome, here is a medal for just showing up, pat everyone on the back after their defeats" type either. I took the time to listen and acknowledge this player, balancing that with trying to win the battle for myself and my team. Proof, that some folks can do....both.

Despite the spelling mistake, I meant what I said, just before the following screen closed out the match....

Flying the empty skies.

A few things first. Yes, I know it's early Monday morning (in my part of the world) so there are a long list of people that could be off at work/other activities, but looking at the three digit number, representing the currently online population....

From yesterday, the Sunday before today. The numbers are better, but not by much.

I snapped this screenshot 10 days ago, before my last round of "being absent". Now, I usually don't come on during "primetime" (for the sake of conversation, let's pin that down between 7-10 pm, across all of the North American time zones), but still, I would think there would be somewhat better numbers during the "offtimes".

Perhaps, I am wrong?

At the time of writing this, I quickly logged into World of Tanks and selected the West Coast server. 3000+ folks on, right at that moment. Okay, one argument would obviously be that Tanks has been around a lot longer than Planes has, so I have factored that in. Not doing so would only serve to "cherry pick" the facts.

I would have snapped a picture from the "still-not-released" World of Warships too, but the server is currently offline, due to an update. I do have one from yesterday, from within the same time period as now....

The reasons for what is, or should I say, isn't going on, is as varied is the individual interpretations of the people who look at the facts/evidence/conjecture. Tanks, despite having patch issues, over-under balance dilemmas and a long list of other chronic problems, is still rolling people out into the virtual battlefield. Ships, entering the final phase of Closed Beta/first phase of Open Beta has surpassed the hype levels that Planes was able to generate back in it's own pre-lanuch days.

For me, it's a real shame. I still like to sit down and fly amongst the virtual clouds, strafing ground targets and chasing down worthy adversaries, using every trick in the book in an attempt to get an upperhand during each and every encounter.

Still, I am holding on to the hope that things will turn around for World of Warplanes. Either that, or just be another player who will ride this flaming wreck straight into the ground.

*****Update*****

A mere 10-ish minutes after posting all of the above, I login to Ships after the update and check out the numbers.

Lead me not into temptation.

Wow, has it been a month already? Feels like yesterday I was talking about, then acquiring the Me 109 TL. However, I knew during this recent absence there was a strong possibility of  returning to more "Birthday Celebrations". Based on the rewards for what is being offered, I just might attempt one or two.

Another nice thing to see, an upcoming "major" Mission. Sadly, I will say "no thanks" and pass this one over. If this were taking place just a few months ago, I probably have jumped at the chance to pick up the Chinese tier VI premium version of the British (but, built in Canada) Heavy Fighter, Mosquito FB 26. In fact, it was part of giftshop package this last November (didn't have money at the time, spent it on another "charity", so to speak), so I will be missing out a second time. As I have laid out in a previous post, acquiring this aircraft (and certain others) doesn't fit into my current and future plans with Planes.

And, as before, I will tip my hat to all of those who accomplish the taskings and put one of these aircraft into their hangars. I wish those folks nothing but the best of luck, who are about to try!

With World of Warships moving into 0.4.0 of it's testing phase, there seems to be some kind of fallout across the rest of the "World of...." titles. One of those issues is the absence of Gold and Free Experience from the accounts. I have been keeping a causal eye on all three forums for news and updates on this, I know I am not the only one either.

No sooner do I come back, I have to go again.

Before I leave to answer the call of real life, I put in one more session with World of Warplanes for my final day. Sure enough, Murphy (of Murphy's Law fame) strikes with a "Birthday Event" I will miss out on, especially with one of my favorite lower tiered aircraft, the Ha 137 V1. Oh well, perhaps I will catch it again at the 9 month mark.

I don't know about you, but it felt like the game didn't want to "give me up" without a fight. It has been some time since I have had a losing streak, that carried over more than a game or two. The downside, I played reasonably well, the enemy teams I face just played that much better. All three defeats were pretty much the same thing, my team is wiped out and I was saved for dessert. The upside, if I was running low on Pneumatic Restarters and First Aid Dressings, here was my big chance to stock back up (seriously, I already have too many of both).

Battle number four finally gave me the victory I was looking for. Both teams put of a valiant fight, but this time, I was on the side that not only outplayed the other, it was a clear and decisive blowout. I always give an "empathic pause" to the other team in situations like this, since I know too well what it is like to be on the receiving end of similar results.

One down, one more to go, out of the planes I selected to play for the day. The Wirraway didn't deliver the quick "easy win" I was hoping to acquire. It seems it took a quick sip from the Stuka's cup before getting airborne. Once again, my team was dismantled and I was the table scraps to be dealt with at the end of the "real battle".

Battle number two turned that around and ended my aerial adventures, for the foreseeable future. Once again, I am not too sure when I will be back from the "realm of reality", but you can be sure, I will be writing stuff here as soon as I get back (I am guessing a week or two, perhaps).

Things I have done and about to do.

During my absence, I took a hard, long look at what I have accomplished in World of Warplanes and why I make the choices I did. First, I gave a lot of thought of cutting out some projects I had started and the one that was the hardest to let go was my Premium Aircraft Guide on the forums http://forum.worldofwarplanes.com/index.php?/topic/25302-a-quick-guide-to-premium-aircraft/

One of the reasons I walked away from that was, I grew tired of attempting to collect all of the planes when they became available. At first, it was rather easy to earn the aircraft though ingame events and as time passed, those events become more progressively difficult. It's not that I wasn't up to the challenge, it was I didn't have the extra time to spare to try anymore. A case in point....

The Ar 197 was a tier IV premium German biplane offered as part of a pre-order package, over a year ago now. Back then and from those who own one to this day, it is still a formidable aircraft. Same could be said for the tier IV premium Curtiss P-36C....

 

Those are tempting offers to be sure, since these aircraft are rarely seen these days, but two things stopped me from trying for either, even before I got started.

First, I don't need another lower tiered premium Fighter/Multi-Role/Heavy Fighter to join the ranks of many other earned/purchased aircraft I don't fly anymore, on a regular basis. I have enough "Hangar Queens" over the almost two years of playing. And, this is Planes not Pokemon, I am not interesting on "catching them all", despite my coincidental collection.

Plus, they wouldn't fit into my revised plan of action, something I will talk about in a bit.

Second, I just don't have the time. 125 nation specific aircraft have to be shot down while flying one one aircraft of choice. Really? Looking at the population numbers at random times during the day on the North America server isn't lending much luck in my favor. While I have read about some players who have pulled one and/or both rewards off, I will just tip my hat to them and carry on.

For me, a game is supposed to be a pastime of entertainment, not a time consuming, unpaid job over and above other daily activities and responsibilities. Sitting for that many hours, my body just can't take that anymore (even with getting up and stretching the kinks out).

So, here is what I have decided to do, moving forward through Planes. All of my current grinds through out the nations is on hold, save for one; Germany. I am at tier V with the Junkers Stuka and slowly progressing towards the Junkers Ju 88 P at tier VI. My focus will be to climb up the German Attack Aircraft line, with a minor detour to....

....the tier III premium Commonwealth GA, Wirraway. I have this feeling that the Wirraway is a forerunner to a partial or complete British Attack Aircraft line that could be coming in the near future and if/when that happens, I will have a good crew to man those planes. And speaking of good crews....

....both tier III premium Ha 137's will be making appearances, to at least add some extra skill potential to the German GA pilot, as I progress up the line (neither aircraft as the option for a rear gunner).

The only exception to my "no more lower tiered premium aircraft" policy would be the tier II premium German Attack Aircraft, Fieseler Fi 98. Part novelty, part practicality, I want this plane as part of my plan for progressing up the German line. However, two things will determine if I will get one or not; if it's offered through some ridiculous, over the top requirements mission (time constraints are a factor, as well) and/or a "what were they thinking" overpriced package.

Another plane I am waiting for, with baited breath, the tier VIII premium French GA, SNCAC NC 1070. I might pick this up during the "near the end of the year" holiday special, if offered.

Now, before you think I will just sequester myself to solely flying GA's, I won't. As soon as my other aircraft start to have their "birthdays" and I am around, those planes will be taking to the air in an attempt to collect those rewards.

A little long winded, but that it my plan for now and the future.