I propose a “Combined Forces” mode.
We all know the current system, join game, take off get shot down/shoot someone down, repeat. Same as in ground Rb just drive forward instead of fly and to get to top tier repeat X2000 times or so. Why can there be no diversity giving actual operations or missions that have a defined goal and two sides that are trying to achieve the opposite of each other.
Let my try and describe my thought process on this.
NATO or Allies
Say you want to play a NATO naval fighter like the F-4 Phantom. You’ll spawn on a carrier with a group of 8 other Naval aircraft from NATO nations. Or other nations that they might have served with from there time frame. They would all need to be other naval aircraft of course as you are a carrier strike group. The role, assist an allied ground realistic battle assault into enemy territory. Provide CAS and achieve air superiority over the operation.
Eastern Block or its Allies
The opposing team would be formed of USSR and contemporary fighters, strikers, and so forth that would be scrambled in response to said NATO assault. The objective would be the same but in reverse provide CAS to help repel the invading ground forces while also flying CAP to defend from the enemy in the air.
Randomization:
There have been hundreds if not thousands of different operations in the time of aircraft and tanks each with different goals and objectives. With each mission different approaches will be make by various pilots and commanders to achieve victory. I would hope this leads to every operation being different and interesting providing new challenges and tasks with every new matchup.
Potentially fixes the CAS issue:
Many ground rb players do not like CAS as its implemented a little odd. This could solve that issue as I would suggest a 1 vehicle per person approach like in air RB so CAS would be more realistic and easily defended if a good SPAA player was on the team. This does then also lead to the potential for pilots to fly real SEAD missions against real players which would be pretty fun. This would fix the CAS spam issue as once the pilot has been shot down that’s one CAS aircraft out the match.
Implementation:
Firstly bigger maps. More players. I have seen 32v32 maybe a boost up to 50v50 on a map large enough for planes to need to plan out there mission profiles and fuel loadouts. Commanders would need to strategies there ranks so maybe a 1-2 minute timeframe before the mission starts where players can decide who plays SPAA who plays light tanks ect., or just have it randomized based off of the players lineup. So you would need a MBT, Light tank, and SPAA to join this so called “combined forces” mode. Same with pilots.
Sim+Realisitc:
It would make sense to have this game mode in both sim and realistic for the players to choose.
Economy:
It would be safe to say that you probably wont be getting as many kills per game in this game mode as its more about strategy and conducting a operation so rewards for scouting, taking territory, and getting kills would need to be MUCH higher to make it worth while in the long run.