12.07.2008, 04:14
If you're jumped by an enemy - and how to get out of situations is one of the most asked questions - then reactive tactics is fundamental to your survival. There was at least one RAF pilot who deliberately spun his aeroplane simply to escape getting shot down. Thats interesting, because Knoke refers to the spitfire as being a respected opponent, an aircraft that turns 'infernally tight'.
Now that brings up the point you made about the AI ability. part of the problem with computer games is how much programming of the AI you can tolerate before frame rates start to suffer. Pixels have no imagination, they need a routine written for them to provide an artificial 'mind', and intevitably its very basic. I suspect that the AI pilots use their aeroplanes to the max very quickly, and that any virtual adjustments they're making to their aeroplane are instant and made as if the pilot was automatically aware of the condition of his aeroplane. I run into the same problem. The enemy always manages to outclimb me by hook or by crook, and its so frustrating to watch the distance between you increase as he gets far enough away for another pass. Sometimes I try to entice an opponent down to ground level to tempt him with a turning fight - the AI doesn't cope with that well because it can't zoom climb any more - but the risk there is that you're at ground level already and therefore with fewer options yourself.
Now that brings up the point you made about the AI ability. part of the problem with computer games is how much programming of the AI you can tolerate before frame rates start to suffer. Pixels have no imagination, they need a routine written for them to provide an artificial 'mind', and intevitably its very basic. I suspect that the AI pilots use their aeroplanes to the max very quickly, and that any virtual adjustments they're making to their aeroplane are instant and made as if the pilot was automatically aware of the condition of his aeroplane. I run into the same problem. The enemy always manages to outclimb me by hook or by crook, and its so frustrating to watch the distance between you increase as he gets far enough away for another pass. Sometimes I try to entice an opponent down to ground level to tempt him with a turning fight - the AI doesn't cope with that well because it can't zoom climb any more - but the risk there is that you're at ground level already and therefore with fewer options yourself.